California American Water Celebrates 'No Drugs Down The Drain' Week in Ventura

November 6, 2009

Utility urges residents to properly dispose of pharmaceutical waste

NEWBURY PARK, Calif., Nov. 6 /PRNewswire/ -- California American Water has designated the week of November 9, 2009 as "No Drugs Down the Drain" week for its Ventura County service area as part of a national campaign sponsored by public and private agencies alike toward the common mission of reducing pharmaceutical pollution in our source water supplies.

California American Water's Ventura County customers are encouraged to make arrangements to schedule a pick up or drop off expired or unwanted pharmaceuticals free of charge at:

         City of Camarillo Police Department
         3701 East Las Posas Road
         Camarillo, CA  93010
         Phone: 805-388-5392
         Hours: 8:00am - 5:00pm, Monday - Friday
         * Residents of Camarillo only *

         City of Thousand Oaks
         Household Hazardous Waste Collection Program
         First Saturday of each month (no December event), by appointment only
         Phone: (805) 449-SAVE (7283) or www.toaks.org
         * Residents of Thousand Oaks and participating communities *

California American Water, which helps sponsors the "No Drugs Down the Drain" outreach campaign in Ventura County, is encouraging all of its Ventura County customers to properly dispose of pharmaceutical waste. Items like aspirin, prescription drugs and other medications should never be thrown down the drain or toilet. They can often seep into the ground and find their way back into our water supply.

"Ensuring that our water sources are protected and maintained is as important as ensuring we have enough water to meet our demands," stated California American Water's Ventura County operations manager Al Yanez. "Water utilities like California American Water treat drinking water to ensure that it meets or exceeds USEPA standards, but the best water treatment is to prevent water pollution at the source," Yanez said. "Environmental stewardship can begin right at home through how we use and dispose of old medicines as well as other hazardous items such as used motor oil and paint."

"This is an easy thing we can all do which will help prevent the pollution of our water supplies," said Yanez. "Every time you throw away a bottle of aspirin or medication in the toilet, you are putting these medicines into the environment with the potential for harm."

California American Water, a wholly owned subsidiary of American Water (NYSE: AWK), is the largest investor-owned water utility in the state, providing high-quality and reliable water and/or wastewater services to more than 600,000 people. California American Water's Ventura service district includes approximately 20,000 households and businesses, or a population of about 60,000 people, in the cities of Camarillo, Newbury Park and Thousand Oaks.

Founded in 1886, American Water is the largest investor-owned U.S. water and wastewater utility company. With headquarters in Voorhees, N.J., the company employs more than 7,000 dedicated professionals who provide drinking water, wastewater and other related services to approximately 15 million people in 32 states and Ontario, Canada. More information can be found by visiting www.amwater.com.

SOURCE California American Water