4th Aqueduct: How SoCal's Adel Hagekhalil is Building a Water System for the Next 100 Years

Adel Hagekhalil is the CEO of the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. It is the largest wholesale agency in the country serving 19 million residents and 26 member-public agencies. Given the challenges of water in California, this conversation should resonate with listeners not only in the US, but worldwide.Adel discusses how the fourth aqueduct, including reuse of water, will secure water for 90 million people over the next 100 years.Adel has worked in Los Angeles Sanitation, Street Services, and now the MWD.  The common theme, he tells Mahesh, is uplifting lives and taking care of people.  Not only does this mean taking care of MWD's customers, but also bringing together all employees and stakeholders to the table.In terms of infrastructure, Adel speaks of the Met becoming not just a water importer, but a water provider.  There are many ways to do this, including the creation of a fourth aqueduct to serve the area.   Climate change has affected all aspects of water, and the organization must adapt old methods.Hagekhalil also believes in serving underserved communities - not just in water service, but in providing employment opportunities as we look for the workforce of the future in the sector.  He believes the water industry has not done a good enough job of telling its story and its importance.   And newcomers to the industry can quickly learn how much they can affect - and even save - lives.  Adel's mindset when it comes to water comes down to his "Three I's" - integration, innovation, and inclusion.Additional Information:Met Website: https://www.mwdh2o.com/Adel Bio: https://www.mwdh2o.com/bios/adel-hagekhalil/Aquasight Website: https://www.aquasight.io/ Aquasight Website: https://aquasight.io/