A Century of Service; Los Angeles Department of Water and Power Celebrates Its 100th Anniversary.

News Editors

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 7, 2002

The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) today launched its centennial celebration at El Pueblo Historical Monument (Olvera Street). LADWP is the primary reason Los Angeles grew from a dusty pueblo to the second-largest city in the United States. Stan Chambers, veteran news reporter, KTLA - TV Channel 5, was the master of ceremonies for the ceremony that began with the USC Marching Band. Mayor James Hahn, members of the Los Angeles City Council, Board of Water and Power Commissioners, former general managers and DWP retirees participated in the program that saluted LADWP for its century of service to Los Angeles.

"There is no question the metropolis we call Los Angeles would not be a world-class city without the vision and dedicated workforce of the Department of Water and Power," Mayor Hahn said during the centennial celebration at the city's birthplace, El Pueblo de Los Angeles. This is the first event in a year-long celebration of the LADWP and the City of Los Angeles.

"Without LADWP we would not be the 12th largest economy in the world and we would not be able to celebrate our diversity, from the Harbor to the San Fernando Valley, from the Eastside to the Westside and in the heart of downtown, Mid-City and South-Central. We are a united force in large part due to the LADWP," the Mayor said.

"In addition to water and power services, the Department has provided LA with several environmental programs that will lead the way in the next 100 years," Councilwoman Ruth Galanter said. "From electric vehicles and charging stations to low-flush toilets, the Department has used the most advanced technologies to help build LA."

It all started with William Mulholland's plan to bring water from the Eastern Sierras. As the Department's first chief water engineer, he oversaw the construction of the Los Angeles Aqueduct and, as they say, "the rest is history."

"Mulholland's vision has helped create a metropolis," said Dominick W. Rubalcava, vice president of the Board of Water and Power Commissioners. "LADWP continues to help Los Angeles by offering reliable low-cost energy and water and economic programs that will support the growth of Los Angeles even further."

"We have given the city a century of service and we look to serving it to another 100 years," said LADWP General Manager David Wiggs. "We appreciate the hardworking employees who have helped build the Department."

The event concluded with guests touring the newly refurbished water exhibit in the Avila Adobe. The exhibit, built on top of an original water main, chronicles the history of the delivery of water to the city and the development of the LADWP.

The Autry Museum of Western Heritage will host "Water and Power in the History of Los Angeles," an exhibition chronicling LADWP and its impact on the growth of Los Angeles. The exhibit will run February 26 - March 31, 2002.

Quick Facts about LADWP and the Growth of Los Angeles

-- In 1900, the city of Los Angeles measured 44 square miles, with a population
of 102,000 people. By 1920, with the delivery of water to the city and new
hydroelectric power plants, the city grew to 364 square miles and 576,000
people.

-- In 1916, the city of Los Angeles placed its first power pole in the
municipal electric system. In 1960, the city installed its 1 millionth electric
meter -- a gold-plated meter at a private home in Northridge.

-- The Department opened its San Fernando Valley District office in Van Nuys in
1956 and dedicated the Valley Generating Station in 1957 to provide power to a
surging Valley population.

-- By the year 2000, Los Angeles measured 464 square miles and totaled nearly
3.8 million people. To expand power reliability and promote environmentally
friendly renewable resources, the Department unveiled its long-term energy
plan. Through it, the Department will promote the use of solar power, fuel
cells, electric vehicles and wind power.

The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power serves more than 3.8 million people in Los Angeles and was established to provide reliable water and electric needs to the city's businesses and residents. Further information regarding the Department can be obtained on their website www.ladwp.com.