California Water Service Co. marks 25th anniversary of Earth Day by releasing results of its energy conservation efforts.

SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 21, 1995--The California Water Service Co. not only conserves water, but energy and money as well.

California Water Service Co., known as Cal Water, has recently become involved in the P.G.& E. lighting rebate program. This program encourages large corporations to reduce their use of energy, primarily by installing energy efficient lamps and optical reflectors, in return for a one time rebate and considerable electricity cost savings over time.

In July of 1994, P.G.& E. personnel were invited to Cal Water's headquarters, also known as General Office (G.O.), to survey the facility's energy consumption. The survey revealed that Cal Water could save a significant amount of money by participating in P.G.& E.'s retrofit program. "This program is a great way for Cal Water to save both money and energy," said Bill Vickers, Cal Water's Plant Maintenance Supervisor.

Included in the retrofit program were the installation of new electric ballasts (a device which transforms voltage in order to operate fluorescent bulbs), energy efficient lamps, optical reflectors and new energy efficient walkway lighting.

Constructed in the 1960's, many of G.O.'s older buildings were equipped with ballasts containing P.C.B. and light bulbs with wattages higher than required. All of these items were replaced. Cal Water has already begun to see a substantial decrease in the amount of energy used and its electricity bill. G.O. was completely retrofitted by the beginning of December 1994, at a cost of approximately $49,000. In return, Cal Water received a one time rebate of $17,000 and will recoup the balance within 18 months.

Cal Water's monthly kilowatt use has dramatically decreased. Before the retrofit, the combined kilowatt usage for the months of December 1993 and January 1994 was 189,000 kilowatts. The energy cost during these two months was $17,000. After all of the G.O. buildings were retrofitted, the combined amount of kilowatts used during the months of December 1994 and January 1995 was 165,000 kilowatts. The energy cost was $15,000. Twenty-three thousand kilowatts were saved for a cost savings of $2,000. (Table to follow). The estimated electricity cost savings for Cal Water during the year of 1995 is 15% or $10,000.

California Water Service Co.'s initiative to conserve energy is an example for other companies to follow. Cal Water has already realized a significant savings in the amount of kilowatts used and in monthly electricity costs. The company is expanding the program to include the company's 20 operating districts throughout the state.

"Cal Water's intention is to continue to look at our energy needs. We are currently looking at the efficiency of our air conditioning systems," said Vickers. Without a doubt, many companies in California will soon begin to see the benefits of energy conservation and will follow the trend which the California Water Service Co. has helped promote.

The California Water Service Co. is the largest investor-owned water utility in the western United States. It provides potable water to 1.5 million people in 38 communities throughout California. -0-

Month/Year       Wattage Used     Amount Paid     Savings
                    (KWH)                          (KWH/$)

December 1993      92,000            $8,000

December 1994      78,000            $7,000    14,000/$1,000

January 1994       97,000            $9,000

January 1995       87,000            $8,000    10,000/$900

CONTACT: California Water Service Co., San Jose

Jim Good, 408/451-8219 (O) 415/864-6067 (H)