top of page

Hazy ocean.png

Resilience & Infrastructure Renewal

Stories about engineers and planners engaged in modernizing aging critical assets while ensuring they can withstand, adapt to, and rapidly recover from extreme weather, natural disasters, or technical failures.

Interior view of degraded water pipe; shades of pink and blue

Interior view of degraded water pipe; shades of pink and blue

Coaching Utilities to Plug Leaks

Keaton Clay, water asset consultant for Oldcastle Infrastructure, calls on AI modeling and leak detection algorithms to help utilities spot and repair leaks in aging water delivery infrastructure.

Brooks McKinney, APR

Jan 189 min read

Three firefighters silhouetted against burning sky while fighting Eaton Fire in Altadena, Los Angeles

Three firefighters silhouetted against burning sky while fighting Eaton Fire in Altadena, Los Angeles

Fighting Fire with Resilience

Jennifer Torres guides Lincoln Avenue Water Company’s efforts to renovate and restore water delivery infrastructure after the Jan. 2025 Eaton Fire in LA.

Brooks McKinney, APR

Jul 31, 20259 min read

Rain water rushes down residential street against the curb and dumps into a concrete storm drain.

Rain water rushes down residential street against the curb and dumps into a concrete storm drain.

Turning Runoff into Resources

Sterling Klippel guides the development of critical flood protection, stormwater capture and water recycling infrastructure for LA County.

Brooks McKinney, APR

Feb 1, 20236 min read

Reclaiming Water Reliability

Reclaiming Water Reliability

Reclaiming Water Reliability

LADWP's David Pettijohn guides the development of water recycling infrastructure to help ensure the reliability of future LA water supplies.

Brooks McKinney, APR

Mar 4, 20226 min read

Large concrete dam spillway releasing white water into a calm river under a clear blue sky

Large concrete dam spillway releasing white water into a calm river under a clear blue sky

Dam Guardian

David Sarkisian guides Cal Dept. of Water Resources’ efforts to modernize and maintain the dam infrastructure for the State Water Project.

Brooks McKinney, APR

Mar 16, 20206 min read

Sparkling water rushes through a narrow concrete industrial channel in an LACSD waste treatment facility under a clear sky, framed by railings.

Sparkling water rushes through a narrow concrete industrial channel in an LACSD waste treatment facility under a clear sky, framed by railings.

Wastewater Raconteur

Sanitation PR pro Glenn Acosta tells the story of building a new, high-capacity treated wastewater tunnel that will protect LA waterways.

Brooks McKinney, APR

Jul 24, 20195 min read

Close-up of clear blue water splashing and droplets in motion, with a bright blurred background and a cool, refreshing feel

Close-up of clear blue water splashing and droplets in motion, with a bright blurred background and a cool, refreshing feel

Pure Innovator

Metropolitan Water District's John Bednarski leads a unique water purification effort that will help ensure LA's tap water never runs dry.

Brooks McKinney, APR

Apr 7, 20194 min read

Cyclist in neon green rides on a sunny, tree-lined road with bike lane markings and parked cars.

Cyclist in neon green rides on a sunny, tree-lined road with bike lane markings and parked cars.

Greening LA's Stormwater System

LA Sanitation’s Deborah Deets couples man-made flood control infrastructure with natural filtering mechanisms to improve LA water quality.

Brooks McKinney, APR

Dec 10, 20184 min read

Large sewer pipes alongside PV West in the Palos Verdes Slide Zone in late afternoon. Managed by the :A County Sanitation Districts (LACSD), these pipes use flexible joints to bend and shift with the moving earth, preventing catastrophic ruptures that could otherwise dump raw sewage onto the beaches and tide pools.

Large sewer pipes alongside PV West in the Palos Verdes Slide Zone in late afternoon. Managed by the :A County Sanitation Districts (LACSD), these pipes use flexible joints to bend and shift with the moving earth, preventing catastrophic ruptures that could otherwise dump raw sewage onto the beaches and tide pools.

Shaking Up LA's Water Pipes

Genevieve Han manages LADWP's efforts to add seismic resiliency to LA’s water delivery system with earthquake-resistant ductile iron pipe.

Brooks McKinney, APR

Nov 24, 20184 min read

Road construction site with a worker, trench, large water pipes, cones, and chain-link fencing under trees and blue sky.

Road construction site with a worker, trench, large water pipes, cones, and chain-link fencing under trees and blue sky.

Delivering Water When It Counts

Cal Water’s Tony Ferrari uses active community engagement and skilled workers to ensure the reliability of LA's water delivery system.

Brooks McKinney, APR

Oct 16, 20184 min read

bottom of page