California American Water Completes Drilling of Key Well for San Marino Customers

California American Water Completes Drilling of Key Well for San Marino
Customers

New well will help reduce reliance on drought-ridden imported supplies

ROSEMEAD, Calif., Oct. 23 /PRNewswire/ -- California American Water this week
completed initial drilling of a 550-foot-deep groundwater well just south of
Cal Tech. When fully operational next spring, the well, which replaces an
aged, non-producing well at the same location, will help reduce the city of
San Marino's reliance on precarious, imported water supplies.

"Fortifying the city's local groundwater supplies is especially important as
the region endures an on-going statewide drought," says General Manager Todd
Brown. "Imported supplies continue to be strained, both by weather conditions
and by endangered species concerns in the Sacramento-San Joaquin delta."

With the drilling process complete, California American Water can begin
installation of a filtration and blending process to reduce levels of two
constituents, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and perchlorate. The U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency has established a maximum contaminant level
(MCLs) for VOCs, and the state has established an MCL for perchlorate.

Making sure all water meets state and federal MCLs, the company is embarking
on a two-fold process. A granular-activated carbon filtration plant will be
located at the well site. In addition, three miles of new transmission line
will be laid so the water can be blended with other sources.

While the new well provides added reliability, the current drought in
California illustrates the fact that groundwater supplies are not
inexhaustible. Southern California water tables have been significantly
depleted, and conservation is a critical part of managing water supply.

"We encourage customers to use water wisely," says Brown, "and take to heart
the voluntary conservation measures the company has instituted."

The new well and transmission main projects are part of California American
Water's commitment to systematically replacing aging infrastructure within its
service territories.

California American Water, a wholly owned subsidiary of American Water (NYSE:
AWK), provides high-quality and reliable water and/or wastewater services to
more than 600,000 people.

Founded in 1886, American Water is the largest investor-owned U.S. water and
wastewater utility company. With headquarters in Voorhees, N.J., the company
employs more than 7,000 dedicated professionals who provide drinking water,
wastewater and other related services to approximately 15 million people in 32
states and Ontario, Canada. More information can be found by visiting
www.amwater.com.

SOURCE California American Water

Garry Hofer, +1-626-224-8828, garry.hofer@amwater.com, for California American
Water