California American Water Celebrates 'No Drugs Down the Drain' Week in Los Angeles

November 6, 2009

Utility urges residents to properly dispose of pharmaceutical waste

LOS ANGELES, Nov. 6 /PRNewswire/ -- California American Water has designated the week of November 9, 2009 as "No Drugs Down the Drain" Week for its Los Angeles 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 Los Angeles County residents are encouraged to contact the County of Los Angeles' Department of Public Works at 888-253-2652 or visit www.888cleanla.com to find out where they can drop off expired or unwanted pharmaceuticals and other household items free of charge.

California American Water, which helps sponsor the "No Drugs Down the Drain" outreach campaign in Los Angeles, is encouraging all of its Los Angeles 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 Los Angeles district manager Garry Hofer. "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," Hofer 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 Hofer. "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 Los Angeles service district includes approximately 28,000 households and businesses, or a population of about 100,000 people, in the cities of Bradbury, Duarte, El Monte, Irwindale, Monrovia, Rosemead, San Gabriel, San Marino and Temple City, as well as unincorporated portions of Los Angeles County and the Baldwin Hills area.

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