History Los Angeles Department of Water and Power

1 history

1.1 private operators
1.2 public control
1.3 power delivery
1.4 notable events , controversies

history
private operators

by middle of 19th century, los angeles s rapid population growth magnified problems city’s water distribution system. @ time system of open ditches, polluted, reasonably effective @ supplying water agriculture not suited providing water homes. in 1853, city council rejected excessive closed-pipe system serve homes directly. solution, city allowed water carriers jugs , horse-drawn wagons…to serve city’s domestic [water] needs. took until 1857 council realize system needed updated, led them grant william g. dryden franchise rights provide homes water through system of underground water mains. initial system served few homes using unreliable network of wooden pipes. in december 1861, heavy rains destroyed system , dryden gave franchise. city attempted contracting out water distribution rights others, none of systems resulted these contracts successful.

the city’s previous unsuccessful attempts allow others develop water system on behalf prompted city council relinquish rights water in los angeles river in 1868, benefited john s. griffen, solomon lazard, , prudent beaudry, 3 successful businessmen. change @ expense of city of los angeles, no longer benefit municipal water distribution business. 3 men created los angeles city water company, violated many of provisions of lease on los angeles river, including secretly tunneling under river extract 150 times water lease allowed. result, end of lease drew near in mid-1890s, popular support began build return complete municipal control of local water supply.

public control

the john ferraro building, ladwp headquarters in downtown los angeles

the leader in fight end private control of water supply fred eaton. eaton proposed tax revenues enable city of los angeles provide water residents without charging them use of water directly. eaton’s views powerful because of distinguished record of achievement in both private , public sector. during eaton’s nine-year term superintending engineer of los angeles city water company, headed large expansion of company’s water system. eaton left position in 1886 when elected city engineer. in new public position, eaton devoted time updating , expanding sewer system. eaton felt los angeles city water company not serving citizens of los angeles because of high rates, , because company paid dividends stockholders instead of improving water system. in 1897, city engineers began creating plans updated water system while city council informed los angeles city water company lease not renewed beyond expiration date, july 21, 1898. in 1898, city began talks los angeles city water company taking on company’s current water system.

throughout negotiations, became clear necessary current senior employees of los angeles city water company keep jobs in order ensure water system continue operate. not guaranteed, however, william mulholland, eaton’s protégé , man took on job of superintending engineer when eaton elected city engineer, have position working city-owned water system. mulholland not popular city officials because did not produce records city requested during negotiations. near end of talks between city , water company, discovered neither requested records nor map of water system existed. mulholland, supposed in charge of non-existent records, never fan of paperwork , claimed had memorized of necessary information, including size of every inch of pipe , age , location of every valve. mulholland secured job city when demonstrated ability recall information. once mulholland assured job city, intervened company’s principal stockholder, advising him accept city’s offer of 2 million dollars system.

power delivery

the ladwp first offered municipal electricity in 1917 when powerhouse no. 1, hydroelectric power plant located in san francisquito canyon , powered los angeles aqueduct, began generating electricity. produced 70.5 megawatts , still in operation, producing 44.5 megawatts. 3 years later, in 1920, powerhouse no. 2 added. powerhouse destroyed when st. francis dam failed, plant rebuilt , in service november 1928. remains in operation today, having capacity generate 18 megawatts.

on january 17, 1994, city of los angeles experienced 1 , total system black-out result of northridge earthquake. of power restored within few hours.

in september 2005, dwp worker accidentally cut power lines caused on half of los angeles without power 1 , one-half hours.

notable events , controversies

in 1928 st. francis dam, built , operated ladwp, @ time water department division named bureau of water works , supply, collapsed catastrophically reservoir filled. disaster, considered 1 of worst american civil engineering disasters of 20th century, remains second-greatest loss of life in california s history after 1906 san francisco earthquake , fire. ensuing flood caused devastation present-day valencia, newhall , cities in santa clara river valley, taking lives of 425 people. high death toll due, in part, confusion , mis-communication , between employees of both ladwp , southern california edison, had facilities , operations in area, led lack of prompt warnings being sent downriver communities. cities included piru, fillmore, santa paula, , san buenaventura. mulholland assumed full responsibility disaster , retired next year. pall of disaster hung on him until death in 1935.

the ladwp has been leading actor in struggle on access water owens valley, starting initial acquisition of water rights, buying out farms , asserting control on mono lake , owens lake.

the ladwp , william mulholland played key role in development of hoover dam , bringing energy los angeles. ladwp continued operate hoover dam electrical facility until 1987.

on october 10, 2011, ladwp, along community redevelopment agency of los angeles , los angeles cleantech alliance, founded la cleantech incubator.