SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 5, 2008--California Water
Service Company (Cal Water) (NYSE:CWT) announced today that it has
activated Stage I of its Drought Management Plan for its 24 operating
districts and encouraged the two million people it serves throughout
the state of California to reduce their water usage by 10%.
"We have been actively encouraging customers to conserve water for
some time, and in fact will be implementing tiered rates in most of
our service areas on July 1 that will reward conservation efforts. But
this marks the first time since the last official drought that we've
asked them to achieve a specific conservation target," said Paul G.
Ekstrom, Cal Water's Vice President of Customer Service.
According to Ekstrom, Cal Water's public awareness programs
include participation in Disney's "Environmentality" program, which
includes classroom curriculum and radio messages throughout the state,
as well as local efforts in each of its 24 districts. In May, the
company hosted hundreds of customers at Water Awareness Festivals.
Cal Water also offers low-water-using fixtures and rebates to
customers consistent with the California Urban Water Conservation
Council's Best Management Practices.
"We support the Governor's effort to raise awareness about the
importance of using water efficiently and investing in infrastructure
to ensure adequate water supplies for future generations," Ekstrom
said.
California Water Service Company (Cal Water) serves approximately
two million people through 462,000 service connections ranging from
Chico in the north to Palos Verdes in the south. The company has
provided water utility services since 1926. Additional information for
customers is available at www.calwater.com.
This news release contains forward-looking statements within the
meaning established by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of
1995 ("Act"). The forward-looking statements are intended to qualify
under provisions of the federal securities laws for "safe harbor"
treatment established by the Act. Forward-looking statements are based
on currently available information, expectations, estimates,
assumptions and projections, and management's judgment about the
Company, the water utility industry and general economic conditions.
Such words as expects, intends, plans, believes, estimates, assumes,
anticipates, projects, predicts, forecasts or variations of such words
or similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking
statements. The forward-looking statements are not guarantees of
future performance. They are subject to uncertainty and changes in
circumstances. Actual results may vary materially from what is
contained in a forward-looking statement. Factors that may cause a
result different than expected or anticipated include but are not
limited to: governmental and regulatory commissions' decisions,
including decisions on proper disposition of property; changes in
regulatory commissions' policies and procedures; the timeliness of
regulatory commissions' actions concerning rate relief; new
legislation; changes in accounting valuations and estimates; the
ability to satisfy requirements related to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and
other regulations on internal controls; electric power interruptions;
increases in suppliers' prices and the availability of supplies
including water and power; fluctuations in interest rates; changes in
environmental compliance and water quality requirements; acquisitions
and our ability to successfully integrate acquired companies; the
ability to successfully implement business plans; changes in customer
water use patterns; the impact of weather on water sales and operating
results; access to sufficient capital on satisfactory terms; civil
disturbances or terrorist threats or acts, or apprehension about the
possible future occurrences of acts of this type; the involvement of
the United States in war or other hostilities; restrictive covenants
in or changes to the credit ratings on our current or future debt that
could increase our financing costs or affect our ability to borrow,
make payments on debt or pay dividends; and, other risks and
unforeseen events. When considering forward-looking statements, you
should keep in mind the cautionary statements included in this
paragraph. The Company assumes no obligation to provide public updates
of forward-looking statements.
CONTACT: California Water Service Company
Shannon Dean
310-257-1435
SOURCE: California Water Service Company
