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C       P       U    U  C           N  N N  E      WW   WW      S
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CONTACT: Kyle DeVine            December 18, 1995   CPUC - 561
         213-897-4225                             (A.95-03-013)

          CPUC APPROVED SOCAL WATER REVENUE INCREASES

    The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) approved
today revenue increases for Southern California Water Company
(SoCal Water) San Dimas, Orange, Simi Valley, San Gabriel,
Metropolitan and Claremont districts.  The increase, effective
January 1, 1996, covers the districts increased operating costs
and sets SoCal Water rate of return for 1996 at 9.32 percent.
    San Dimas - serves 15,400 customers in San Dimas. SoCal
Water had requested a $2.4 million or 25 percent increase. The
Commission approved a $907,000 or nine percent increase for
1996.  The residential customer who uses the systemwide average
of 2,700 cubic feet of water a month will see an increase of
$4.06 or nine percent from the current $44.71 to $48.77.
    Orange - serves 39,100 customers in Cypress, La Palma, Los
Alamitos and Seal Beach in Orange County.  SoCal Water had
requested an $8.5 million or 66 percent increase.  The
Commission approved a $4.8 million or 37 percent increase for
1996.  The residential customer who uses the systemwide average
of 2,200 cubic feet of water a month will see an increase of
$7.62 or 33 percent from the current $23.21 to $30.83.
    Simi Valley - serves 11,800 customers in Simi Valley in
Ventura County.  SoCal Water had requested a $1.9 million or 36
percent increase.  The Commission approved a $970,000 or 18
percent increase for 1996.  The residential customer who uses
the systemwide average of 1,800 cubic feet of water a month
will see an increase of $5.57 from the current $33.49 to
$39.06.

                            -more-
    San Gabriel - serves 11,700 customers in East Los Angeles
County.  SoCal Water had requested a $1.7 million or 46 percent
increase.  The Commission approved a $598,000 or 14 percent
increase for 1996. The residential customer who uses the
systemwide average of 1,900 cubic feet of water a month will
see an increase of $1.73 or 7 percent from the current $25.79
to $27.52.
    Metropolitan - serves 97,500 customers in cities in the
south and southeastern portion of Los Angeles County.  SoCal
Water had requested a $13 million or 28 percent increase.  The
Commission approved a $7.2 million or 16 percent increase for
1996.  The residential customer who uses the systemwide average
of 2,130 cubic feet of water a month will see an increase of
$4.55 from the current $34.29 to $38.84.
    Claremont - serves 10,300 customers in Pomona.  SoCal Water
had requested a $3.1 million or 46 percent increase in 1996 and
additional increases of $113,000 in 1997 and $174,000 in 1998.
Consumers of the City of Claremont voiced concerns about the
magnitude of the increase for 1996. Therefore, the Commission
spread the increase over three years approving a $761,000
increase or 10 percent for each year for 1996, 1997 and 1998.
The residential customer who uses the systemwide average of
2,900 cubic feet of water a month will see an increase of $5.09
in 1996, from the current $49.47 to $54.56.

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