POINT RICHMOND, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 12, 2001--Western Water Company (OTCBB:WWTR) announced today that the Board of Directors appointed Lee K. Harrington a director of the Company. Mr. Harrington is the president and CEO of the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corp. (LAEDC) and The World Trade Center Los Angeles-Long Beach. Prior to joining LAEDC, he served as senior vice president, Operations and Support for the Southern California Gas Company.

Michael George, chairman, president and CEO, welcomed Harrington noting that, "Lee brings to our Board valuable experience and insight gained during his work in the development of the California natural gas market. From his current position as head of LAEDC, he recognizes the critical role that water supply reliability plays in supporting California's economy. He is an important addition to our Board as we focus our efforts on building a leadership position in the developing water market."

Harrington commented: "Western Water Company is the pre-eminent private sector participant in the critical process of making California's water supply more reliable, affordable and flexible through the introduction of market principles. This is an area where partnerships between the public and the private sectors hold great promise for our State and our economy through enhancement of our water supplies and more efficient utilization of existing water infrastructure. I'm proud to join Western Water Company's Board, and I hope to contribute to the development of those partnerships."

Harrington replaces Ronald Simon who recently resigned from the Board. At the Board's regular quarterly meeting held in Yuba City, Calif. on Nov. 6 and 7, the Board reviewed the Company's progress in developing a viable water wholesaling business. While taking cognizance of the complexity and uncertainty surrounding the timing and precise direction that the developing water market will take, the Board strongly endorsed management's recommendations to pursue leadership in the water marketplace. Director David Abel, speaking for the Board, said, "The development of any market is a dynamic and uncertain process. We believe that Western Water Company is well positioned to understand and help to inform that process, which will ultimately benefit both water rights holders and water users. Through our balance sheet restructuring, the Company's financial position has been significantly improved, and we have a strong, committed management team in place. We see significant signs of progress, and we are encouraged by recent developments."

Western Water Company is engaged in the identification, development, transportation, sale and lease of water rights and water to municipalities and other end users in the western United States and owns water rights and real estate in California and Colorado.

Statements contained in this release which are not historical facts are forward looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results or future events to differ from those contained herein. Factors that could cause actual results or events to differ include the company’s ability to purchase water rights and obtain financing and other factors and considerations detailed in the Company’s Securities and Exchange Commission filings.