California American Water Enacts Voluntary Water Conservation Measures for Sacramento...

California American Water Enacts Voluntary Water Conservation Measures for
Sacramento and Placer County

Utility urging consumers to conserve and take advantage of conservation
programs and rebates

SACRAMENTO, Calif., March 30 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Due to the ongoing
drought conditions in the state, California American Water has announced the
implementation of a voluntary water conservation program aimed at reducing
water usage for its Northern California operations. This program applies to
customers within its Placer and Sacramento County service areas and encourages
all consumers -- residential, business and other classifications -- to help
reduce water use in the community by voluntarily ending non-essential or
unauthorized water use. Customers are also being urged to take advantage of
the company's conservation programs and rebates on water saving appliances.

California American Water's voluntary program is the first step in what could
lead to mandatory water conservation measures if voluntary efforts are
unsuccessful in stabilizing California's water supply. The measures were
deemed necessary as the state heads into the critical summer months of what
might be the most severe drought year in Californian recorded history,
according to the Department of Water Resources.

"Given the likelihood of yet another troubled water supply year, California
American Water wants to help its customers reduce water use and understand the
importance of wise water use practices," said California American Water's
general manager, Steve Seidl. "Due to the critical state of the water supply
in California, we are encouraging our customers to conserve right away, in
advance of possible additional measures that may need to be implemented in the
near future."

The company issued the voluntary program in accordance with its Rule 14.1,
which has been approved by the California Public Utilities Commission. The
California Public Utilities Commission authorizes water utilities to implement
a voluntary conservation program when the utility determines that water
supplies may be insufficient to meet customer demands. California American
Water encourages all consumers to voluntarily end "non-essential or
unauthorized water uses" that include:

1. Use of water through any connection when the utility has notified the
customer in writing to repair a broken or defective plumbing,
sprinkler,
watering or irrigation system and the customer has failed to make such
repairs within five days after receipt of such notice.
2. Use of water which results in flooding or run-off in gutters,
waterways,
patios, driveway, or streets.
3. Use of water for washing aircraft, cars, buses, boats, trailers or
other
vehicles without a positive shut-off nozzle on the outlet end of the
hose. Exceptions include washing vehicles at commercial or fleet
vehicle
washing facilities operated at fixed locations where equipment using
water is properly maintained to avoid wasteful use.
4. Use of water through a hose for washing buildings, structures,
sidewalks,
walkways, driveways, patios, parking lots, tennis courts, or other
hard-surfaced areas in a manner which results in excessive run-off or
waste.
5. Use of water for watering streets with trucks, except for initial
wash-down for construction purposes (if street sweeping is not
feasible),
or to protect the health and safety of the public.
6. Use of water for construction purposes, such as consolidation of
backfill, dust control, or other uses unless no other source of water
or
other method can be used.
7. Use of water for more than minimal landscaping in connection with any
new
construction.
8. Use of water for outside plants, lawn, landscape, and turf areas more
often than every other day, with even numbered addresses watering on
even
numbered days of the month and odd numbered addresses watering on the
odd
numbered days of the month, except that this provision shall not apply
to
commercial nurseries, golf courses, and other water-dependent
industries.
9. Use of water for watering outside plants and turf areas using a
hand-held
hose without a positive shut-off valve.
10. Use of water for decorative fountains or the filling or topping off of
decorative lakes or ponds. Exceptions are made for those decorative
fountains, lakes, or ponds which utilize recycled water.
11. Use of water for the filling or refilling of swimming pools.
12. Service of water by any restaurant except upon the request of the
patron.

"If we all work together we can potentially avoid mandatory conservation
measures or rationing and help ensure there is enough water for everyone,
including families, schools and businesses," Seidl said.

California American Water will make conservation kits available to all of its
customers and will also conduct a series of public outreach campaigns,
starting with bill messages to appear in every customer bill, alerting them of
the voluntary conservation order. Customers can visit the district office at
4701 Beloit Drive, Sacramento, CA 95838, call the conservation hotline at
(916) 568-4201, or visit our website www.californiaamwater.com for more
information on conservation rebates for low-flow toilets and washing machines,
free conservation kits with water saving devices including low flow
showerheads and garden hose nozzles and information about our home Water Wise
survey program.

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

Evan Jacobs of California American Water, +1-916-568-4252,
Evan.Jacobs@amwater.com