SouthWest Water Company Declares Cash Dividends

  
    
  
  
    
      SouthWest Water Company (Nasdaq:SWWC) today announced that its board of 
      directors declared quarterly cash dividends of $0.025 per share of 
      common stock and $0.65625 per share of Series A preferred stock. The 
      dividends are payable on January 22, 2009 to stockholders of record as 
      of January 7, 2009.
    
    
      “Each quarter since 1960, SouthWest Water’s board has reviewed our 
      dividend policy in light of current business, economic and market 
      conditions,” said Mark Swatek, SouthWest Water chairman and chief 
      executive officer. “The decision to reduce this quarter’s dividend 
      reflects the board’s desire to be prudent and preserve company resources 
      during these challenging times.”
    
    
      SouthWest Water Company provides a broad range of operations, 
      maintenance and management services, including water production, 
      treatment and distribution; wastewater collection and treatment; 
      customer service; and utility infrastructure construction management. 
      The company owns regulated public utilities and also serves cities, 
      utility districts and private companies under contract. More than two 
      million people in 10 states depend on SouthWest Water for high-quality, 
      reliable service. Additional information may be found on the company’s 
      Web site: www.swwc.com.
    
    
      For Further Information:
    
    
      SouthWest Water Company624 S. Grand Ave., Suite 2900Los 
      Angeles, CA 90017www.swwc.com