"California's Water System" Premieres Jan. 12.

10th Episode of the "California's Water" Series

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- "California's Water System," the 10th episode of the "California's Water" public television series produced by Huell Howser, is set to air Jan. 12 at 6 p.m. on KCET. It will be available to air statewide on PBS stations next month. Check your local listings for details.

"Where does water come from and how does it get to us?" asked Howser in the segment. "When you start to answer that question, you quickly discover that it has a very complex, historic and interesting answer."

California relies on an elaborate network of water storage and delivery systems to supply cities, farms, businesses and the environment with adequate water year-round. Given the state's highly seasonable precipitation and the fact that annual runoff can vary widely from year to year, water supply infrastructure has allowed California to grow and prosper by storing and moving water when and where it's needed.

In the episode, sponsored by CDM, Howser tours key facilities in the state's vast water supply network and explores its importance to California's economy, environment and lifestyle. California Department of Water Resources Director Lester Snow and others explain the importance of our water system and introduce viewers to the local and regional water management efforts that play a key role in meeting needs.

In each "California's Water" segment, Howser visits features of California's water system and gets an up-close look at various water management tools and challenges facing the state's water future.

Segment titles include:

* Climate Change (First aired April 2006)

* The Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta (First aired May 2006)

* The Flood Fight of 2006 (First aired June 2006)

* Storing Water (First aired July 2006)

* What's New on the Colorado River (First aired Aug. 2006)

* Using Water Wisely (First aired Sept. 2006)

* Watersheds (First aired Oct. 2006)

* Desalting Water (First aired Nov. 2006)

* Sacramento Valley: Working Together Pays Off (Premieres Jan. 10)

* Water Recycling Imitates Nature

* Living with Nature

* Moving Water and Meeting Needs

* Protecting Against Floods

* Regional Solutions for Local Needs

An updated list of air dates and times is available on www.acwa.com.

The series, underwritten by members of the Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA), covers issues identified in ACWA's comprehensive policy document, "No Time to Waste: A Blueprint for California Water." The document, released in 2005, recommends a suite of actions and investments to ensure California has the water supply system it will need in future decades.

ACWA's members believe educating the public on water issues is critical and are taking that commitment seriously by underwriting the "California's Water" series.

ACWA is a statewide association of public agencies whose 440 members are responsible for about 90% of the water delivered in California. For more information, visit www.acwa.com.