The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) has partnered with Veolia Environnement to review current practices and assist in the implementation of industry best practices for the city’s large water meter and fire service line programs, as well as its chemical procurement activities.
Veolia will use industry benchmarking techniques to develop cost and operational analyses for the city’s large meter repair and maintenance program. Large water meters represent approximately 1% of the total number of meters within the LADWP system, but account for nearly 20% of the utility’s annual revenue.
“LADWP has a responsibility to ensure that water meters within the system are providing accurate consumption data,” said Jim McDaniel, LADWP’s interim general manager. “This will ensure equitable billing for ratepayers and help protect the city’s valuable water infrastructure.”
Following a competitive RFP process, LADWP determined Veolia was the best partner to help the agency continue to increase its efficiency. After an initial assessment period, Veolia will recommend improvements in the water meter maintenance program and provide training and implementation support on the recommendations and best practices LADWP chooses to adopt.
“Municipal water and power utilities are faced with the daunting challenge of trying to protect assets, meet their communities’ needs and reduce costs while their operating, capital, energy and chemical expenditures are simultaneously increasing,” said Bill DiCroce, executive vice president and chief operating officer for Veolia Environnement North America’s Municipal and Commercial business. “Los Angeles’s selection of Veolia will help ensure ratepayers are getting the most value for their dollar, along with improved service and safety levels.”
During the initial analysis of LADWP’s operations, Veolia will help identify industry-best technologies for monitoring fire service lines to reduce the potential unauthorized use of water and will coach employees through the selection, installation and implementation process. Veolia will also work with LADWP to recommend best practices for inspection and monitoring of vault and meter covers to reduce trip hazards, improving safety for residents and employees.
Source: Veolia Environnement
