Our objective is to provide a solid source of objective information on water and energy issues facing Southern California and the West.

 

 

The best way to quickly see what we're up to is to visit our quarterly Newsletters page and check out the items of interest to you. The latest newsletter has its own link just below.

 

 

 

Click HERE to see the January 2014 Newsletter.

 

 

Remembering Dr. Pankaj Parekh

 

We would like to take a moment to remember our friend, Dr. Pankaj Parekh, Director of Water Quality Compliance at the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP), Water and Power Associates Board Member and former National Water Research Institute Board Member, who passed away on January 30, 2014.

Dr. Parekh had a kind heart, warm personality, and genuine interest in the wellbeing of those around him.  His lifelong dream was to provide safe water for people in need and curb illness throughout the world.

After graduating from UCLA with a Doctorate in Environmental Science and Engineering, he spent 13 years in Africa working on efforts to improve public health. For instance, he was co-leader of a delegation sent to Liberia on behalf of the U.S. Agency for International Development to assess Liberia’s health sector and provide recommendations on bilateral aid programs. While there, he was responsible for the provision of environmental and preventive services in two hospitals and 42 health clinics.

In 1999, he became Director of Water Quality Compliance at LADWP. His mission was to ensure safe, clean drinking water that was provided to over 4-million people in the Los Angeles area. To do so, he spent the next decade overseeing activities related to complying with regulatory permits and standards, as well as engaging in the research and management of emerging issues affecting water quality.

An avid motorcyclist, Dr. Parekh was involved in an accident in 2011 that left him paralyzed. Regardless, he continued to serve at LADWP, pursuing his passion to help others, until his untimely passing.  A moving short documentary about the challenges he faced, personally and professionally, in his quest to provide safe, clean water has recently received numerous awards.*

The short film, titled “Today,” can be accessed at http://phillipmontgomery.net/TODAY.

We will greatly miss Dr. Parekh, and send our deepest condolences to his wife, Anne, and friends and family.

 
* National Water Research Institute’s tribute to Pankaj and his contribution.

 

 

 

Featured Historical Interview

For an inisghtful perspective on the relationship between Owens Valley and the City of Los Angeles following the construction of the LA Aqueduct as well as the dynamics between early DWP management and City Officials, read the transcripts of a Steve Erie interview with Robert V. Phillips, Chief Engineer and General Manager of DWP, 1972-75 (Both Mr. Phillips and his father knew and worked with William Mulholland and H. A. Van Norman).

 

Robert Phillips Interview:     Part 1 --- Part 2 --- Part 3

 

 

 

Virtual Museum

Visit our Museum Section to see how Water and Electricity contributed to the development of the City of Los Angeles.

 

Click HERE to visit our Virtual Musem.

 

 

 

Mystery History

Test your knowledge of Los Angeles History by visiting our Mystery History Section.

 

Click HERE to visit our Mystery History Section.

 

 

 

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