On April 17, the 2024 Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) Awards recognized Keck Medical Center of USC for finding a way to save over 1.7 million gallons of water in a single year.
Each year, the LADWP Key Accounts Group recognizes the most successful large-scale sustainability initiatives of the prior year. In previous years, Keck Medical Center was recognized for energy conservation and the installation of electric vehicle (EV) chargers in its parking lots and structures.
This year’s water conservation achievement is the result of installing 232 laminar flow devices throughout the medical center. These devices are advanced water-flow restrictors that, unlike traditional aerators, produce a clear, efficient stream of water.
Miguel Gonzalez, Keck Medicine of USC’s associate administrator for support services in charge of facilities operations, said that this year’s water savings are just the beginning.
“The nice thing about the company that installed the devices is that they’ll come every year to make sure they’re still working properly and to replace them as needed,” said Gonzalez, who leads the health system’s overall sustainability movement.
Gonzalez plans to continue installing laminar flow devices throughout the system. He credits Keck Hospital of USC for being the first to install these devices followed quickly by USC Verdugo Hills Hospital.