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RICHMOND, Calif. (February 14, 2003) - Western Water Company (OTCBB:
WWTR) announced today its results for the third fiscal quarter
ended December 31, 2002.
The
Company reported net income applicable to common stockholders
for the quarter ended December 31, 2002 of $92,000, or $0.01 per
common share. That result compared to a net loss applicable to
common stockholders of $632,000, or $0.08 per common share, for
the quarter ended December 31, 2001. Revenues for the quarter,
entirely from water sales, were $326,000, compared to $338,000
for the comparable quarter of the preceding fiscal year. Net
income during the recent quarter included a gain of $964,000 resulting
from the sale of the Company’s remaining Mojave Basin water rights
in San Bernardino County, California. The sale of the Mojave
Basin water rights will generate $2,632,000 of net cash proceeds
during the current fiscal year.
Commenting
on the results, Michael Patrick George, Chairman, President and
CEO of Western Water Company, said: “The Company is pleased with
the results of the sale of the Mojave Basin water rights, not
only because of the substantial gain realized but also because
the sale validates the Company’s belief that the underlying value
of water rights in California can be fairly determined in a properly
regulated and transparent water market. However, developing
the regulatory environment that fostered these arm’s length sales
required years of litigation and negotiation. Unfortunately,
the renewed outbreak of California’s periodic but unproductive
“water wars” in the context of the failed Quantification Settlement
Agreement among Colorado River water users bodes ill for a state
entering another drought year. The Company hopes to play a constructive
role in promoting more efficient market-based solutions to water
allocation.”
Mr.
George went on to say, “The regulatory picture in Colorado is
much clearer and, as a result, the Company has made substantial
progress in developing the Cherry Creek Project as a reliable
water resource for local public agencies. During the past quarter,
the Company continued to make modest sales of water from the Project
and received key permits and completed construction of Project
infrastructure on time and within budget. In partnership with
our customers, the Company is pursuing additional developments
in the current quarter which fulfill conditions for the pending
sales of the initial Water Delivery Contract Units. Once we
complete the sale of WDCUs, the Cherry Creek Project will be integrated
into the regional water supply network.”
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 that 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 and sell water
rights and obtain financing and other factors and considerations
detailed in the Company’s Securities and Exchange Commission filings.
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