TO: EDITORS, NEWS DIRECTORS

DATE: July 23, 2001

FOR: IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ACC Presenting Workshop for Small Water Companies
Workshops Designed To Enhance Compliance, Safety And Quality

PHOENIX - Running a water company is no small task. Billing and customer service issues, water quality management, rate setting or growth and financing issues are a few of the many pitfalls that await water company operators. To help ensure compliance with the statutes and rules governing public service companies, the Arizona Corporation Commission conducts Small Water Assistance Workshops throughout the state. The next workshop is scheduled for Thursday, July 26, 2001 in the Sedona Public Library at 3250 White Bear Road. Company owners, staff and interested consumer groups are invited to attend the full-day workshop.

The Small Water Assistance Workshops begin with an introduction by Commission staff at 8:30 AM followed by a discussion of engineering issues such as: engineering inspections, reporting, capacity, mapping and water main extensions. The Accounting and Rates Section of the Commission follows with a detailed discussion of how to prepare a rate application as well as information regarding loans, advances and other financing issues.

After the lunch break, representatives from the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality will present topical information about compliance with drinking water standards, certification and reporting requirements. The workshop will conclude at about 4:00 PM with a presentation by staff from the Commission's Consumer Services Section. Water company operators will learn customer service principles and how the Commission helps companies and customers resolve disputes. The Commission will also share information about rate case procedures, tariff filings, reporting requirements for outages and much more.

Anyone planning to attend the Small Water Assistance Workshop should contact Joan Ruf in the Arizona Corporation Commission's Utilities Division at (800) 222-7000 for reservations. Representatives from the media should call Heather Murphy, Public Information Officer, at (602) 542-0844 to reserve a space. A detailed agenda is available by request from the Public Information Officer or Consumer Services Section of the Utilities Division.