ACWA Comments on Judge's Delta Smelt Order

Court Reinforces Delta Crisis, Need for Immediate Action
SACRAMENTO, Calif.--(Business Wire)--The Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA) today issued
the following statement from Executive Director Timothy Quinn
regarding U.S. District Court Judge Oliver Wanger's final order on
interim measures to protect a threatened fish species, the Delta
smelt.

"The court's order underscores the fact that the Delta and our
water system are in crisis. The current system for moving water
through the Delta does not work, and the problem will not be solved
until we make some major changes. ACWA continues to call for a
comprehensive fix that improves the Delta's ecosystem and provides the
reliable water supplies our economy needs.

"This order will result in an unprecedented reduction in our
statewide water supplies next year. The impacts will be significant
and will likely be felt in nearly every region of the state.

"No one wants to see further decline of the Delta smelt
population. The additional monitoring required by the order will help
safeguard the fish and allow us to more accurately manage the system
in the short-term."

ACWA is a statewide association of public agencies whose 450
members are responsible for about 90% of the water delivered in
California. For more information, visit www.acwa.com.

ACWA
Jennifer Persike, 916-441-4545 or 916-296-3981 (cell)
Director of Strategic Coordination and Public Affairs
Sara Stephens, 916-441-4545 or 916-215-1232 (cell)
Communication Specialist

Copyright Business Wire 2007