Value of Tap Water Focus of New PBS Segment

SACRAMENTO, CA--(Marketwire - Mar 29, 2012) - The value of California tap water, especially when compared with other household services, is the focus of the latest segment of the "California's Water" series for public television. Produced by Huell Howser and underwritten by members of the Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA), the new segment debuts April 3 in San Diego and Sacramento and will air throughout the month on PBS affiliates around the state.

In "Water: The Best Deal Around," Howser visits the West Basin Municipal Water District and Las Virgenes Municipal Water District to highlight key aspects of providing reliable water and some factors driving the cost, including the rising costs of energy, treatment chemicals and the need to expand and replace facilities.

As Howser notes in the segment, even with rising costs, tap water is an exceptional value that compares favorably with other every day household services. Customers of public water agencies get more than just a product for their money. They are getting a reliable service that includes ongoing maintenance, sophisticated water quality testing and treatment, highly trained personnel, adequate flows for fire protection and robust water supplies and infrastructure to support the economy. Simply put, they are getting one of the best deals around.

The segment will air on April 3 on KPBS in San Diego at 5 p.m. and on KVIE in Sacramento at 7 p.m. It will air statewide on PBS stations (check local listings for details). It is also available on ACWA's website at http://bit.ly/Hf30SE.

The "California's Water" series began airing in April 2006 and covers a range of topics exploring the state's water supply and delivery system. The series includes 25 segments.

ACWA is a statewide association of public agencies whose 440 members are responsible for about 90% of the water delivered in California. For more information, visit www.acwa.com.