FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact: Terrie Prosper, 415.703.1366, news@cpuc.ca.gov

PUC AND PARTNERS TO HOLD SYMPOSIUM ON SECURING

CLEAN AND AFFORDABLE WATER

SAN FRANCISCO, September 6, 2006 - The California Public Utilities Commission (PUC), the Department of Health Services, the State Water Resources Control Board, and the Department of Water Resources are teaming up to present a Symposium: Securing Clean and Affordable Water.

WHO: PUC Commissioner John Bohn; State Water Resources Control Board members Art Baggett and Gary Wolff; Deputy Director of Prevention Service with Department of Health Services, Kevin Reilly; Chief of Planning and Local Assistance for the Department of Water Resources, Mark Cowin; and other state, local, and national officials, as well as water company representatives will join in panel discussions.

WHEN: Tuesday, September 12, 2006

8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.

WHERE: Elihu Harris Building, Auditorium

1515 Clay St., Oakland

A listen-only call-in number will be available at 877-773-6952, passcode 172221

WHY: The symposium will identify the current and emerging quality standards for drinking water, which pose extensive challenges for water utilities in California. The alternatives for public partnerships that could improve private water utilities' financial viability will be identified and a discussion will summarize several of the optimal means for accessing clean and affordable water for private water utility consumers.

For more information and to register for the Water Symposium go to

http://www.cpuc.ca.gov/static/water/sept122006watersymposium.htm.

For more information on the PUC, please visit www.cpuc.ca.gov.

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