California PUC Approves SouthWest Water Merger

By Order issued September 3, 2010, the California Public Utilities Commission cleared the way for the acquisition of SouthWest Water Company, parent of Suburban Water Systems, by IIF Subway Investment, LP, an affiliate of JPMorgan IIF Acquisitions LLC, and USA Water Services, LLC. In adopting a settlement agreement submitted by the Joint Applicants and the Division of Ratepayer Advocates, the Commission concluded that the transaction would provide Suburban with greater access to needed capital while not otherwise affecting Suburban’s day-to-day operations: “It is anticipated that there will be no practical effect on Suburban’s management, employee base, revenue requirement, rate base, capital structure or regulation by the Commission.” The merger had previously been approved by regulators in the other four states in which SouthWest subsidiaries provide regulated water and/or wastewater service.

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Federal Court Rules Against Developer

The United States District Court for the District of Arizona ruled that a developer had an affirmative duty to disclose to prospective homeowners that they ultimately would bear the burden of paying substantial sums for infrastructure costs.

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New England Chapter to Host Fall Meeting

The New England Chapter of the National Association of Water Companies invites you to attend their fall meeting in Newport, Rhode Island on November 4-5.

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EPA to Hold Drinking Water Strategy Stakeholder Meeting

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will hold a public Stakeholder Meeting on Tuesday, September 21, 2010, to further engage stakeholders and the public in the development of the Drinking Water Strategy Contaminant Groups. The discussion topics for this Stakeholder Meeting are focused on the first of the four principles, addressing some contaminants as group(s).

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Water For People Announces New Board of Directors

Water For People (www.waterforpeople.org) announced the individuals that will join the newly structured Water For People Board of Directors.

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