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FLOW's Jim Mosher talks with supporters at the Public Utilities Commission.
BREAKING NEWS
Felton Water Rate Hearing Rescheduled
Valley Post, May 6, 2008
At the request of California American Water, the local hearing for its request to raise Felton water rates has been moved from late May to June 17. Cal Am has requested that the state Public Utilities Commission grant it a 54.4 percent rate hike for Felton customers beginning in 2009, followed by increases of about 6 percent for each of the next two years.
Water company and residents ready to tangle over water's worth
Santa Cruz Sentinel, May 1, 2008
FELTON -- Local residents are gearing up for what's expected to be a David versus Goliath showdown in the courtroom next month over the value of the water supply in Felton.
Cal Am parent debuts on stock exchange
The Associated Press, April 23, 2008
NEW YORK -- Shares of American Water Works Co. are expected to begin trading on the New York Stock Exchange today after the water and wastewater utility's initial public offering priced at $21.50 per share, below the expected price range.
RWE Unloads American Water on Wall Street Cheaper Than Expected: Food & Water Watch Cites Public Discontent With Private Water Companies as Main Reason
Food & Water Watch press release, April 23, 2008
Washington, DC – Today, just seven years after boldly acquiring the largest private water utility in the United States, international utility giant RWE announced that it was getting out of the water business, issuing a public offering of American Water on Wall Street. The Germany-based utility giant RWE and had to lower the price of the opening shares by 10%, likely due to lack of interest among investors.
RWE sells 36 percent of American Water, sees charge lowering profit
International Herald Tribune, April 23, 2008
FRANKFURT, Germany: Germany utility RWE AG said Wednesday that it has sold 36 percent of American Water Works Co. and will take a charge of up to €600 million (US$955.8 million) on the transaction.
Crooked Pipes: FLOW prepares for the final battle against RWE for control of Felton’s water utility
Good Times Santa Cruz, March 19, 2008
 How much is water worth? A California American Water (CalAm) internal memo—prepared by a PR firm in 2003 and leaked to activists and the press anonymously—states the following about the prospects of quashing eminent domain mutiny in Felton: “The results of [focus groups] show a grim environment in which the only viable argument appears to be increased taxpayer cost without improvements to service or water quality.”
FLOW Victory
Metro Santa Cruz, March 12, 2008
For the average working stiff Monday is not a day for jubilation, but for Betsy Herbert, Monday, March 10, was sure to be the best day of the week. That was the day the environmental analyst for the San Lorenzo Valley Water District (SLVWD) learned that her agency had won a crucial court ruling in its attempt to wrest control of Felton's water system from Cal-Am, a subsidiary of the multinational company RWE.
Cal Am: It's Not "If," It's "How Much?" Felton Water Suppliers Agree to Let Jury Establish Purchase Price
The Valley Post, March 11, 2008
In a surprise move, about one week before California American Water went to trial Mar. 17 to fight a local attempt to take over its Felton water system by eminent domain, Cal Am conceded the point. Instead, company officials said they would focus on establishing the Felton system's worth at $25 million in a jury trial set for June. That is significantly higher than the San Lorenzo Valley Water District's $7.6 million offer, or for that matter the $11 million in bonds authorized by Felton voters.
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CONSERVE WATER
FLOW urges all Felton water users to conserve water as much as possible. Our target is a water use reduction of 20% compared to use last year.
The rains so far have been insufficient to increase our water supplies. Continue to conserve water.
Help demonstrate that Felton can conserve water when needed, as we have done many times in the past. By conserving we will be helping to avoid construction of unneeded and expensive new wells. You can click on the Water Conservation Tips image to get more information from the San Lorenzo Valley Water District on how to conserve around your home.
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