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CONTACT: Kyle DeVine                November 8, 1995   CPUC - 555
         213-897-4225                             (Res. W-3951)

         CPUC APPROVES CALIFORNIA WATER RATE INCREASE

    The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) today
approved a $1.1 million revenue increase for California Water
Service Company (California Water) Hermosa-Redondo district.
    The increase covers a $994,000 increase in costs to
purchase water from the Central Basin Municipal Water District
and $52,000 in increased costs to replenish drawn water.
    California Water serves 26,000 customers in the district.
Rates will increase 18 cents per hundred cubic feet of water,
from the current $1.38 to $1.56.  The residential customer who
uses the systemwide average of 1,781 cubic feet of water a
month will see an increase of $3.28 from the current $30.30 to
$33.58.
    The increase is effective in five days.

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