California American Water Celebrates 'No Drugs Down the Drain' Week in San Diego

November 6, 2009

Utility urges residents to properly dispose of pharmaceutical waste

SAN DIEGO, Nov. 6 /PRNewswire/ -- California American Water has designated the week of November 9, 2009 as "No Drugs Down the Drain" week for its San Diego 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 San Diego County customers are encouraged to drop off expired or unwanted pharmaceuticals free of charge at:

         City of Coronado Household Hazardous Waste Drop off
         1001 Sixth Street
         Coronado, CA 92118
         Phone: 619-522-7380
         Hours: 10:00am - 2:00pm, Saturday
         * Residents of Coronado only *

         City of Chula Vista Police Department
         315 Fourth Avenue
         Chula Vista, CA 91910
         Phone: 619-476-2465
         Residents of Chula Vista, Imperial Breach, and National City
         * No controlled substances allowed *

California American Water, which helps sponsor the "No Drugs Down the Drain" outreach campaign in San Diego, is encouraging all of its San Diego 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 general manager Todd Brown. "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," Brown 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 Brown. "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 San Diego County service district includes approximately 21,000 households and businesses, or a population of about 95,000 people, in the cities of Coronado, Imperial Beach, south Chula Vista, and parts of south San Diego.

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