SAN JOSE, CA -- (Marketwire) -- 02/13/13 -- California Water Service Group (NYSE: CWT) today announced the selection of Paul G. Townsley, 55, as Vice President, Regulatory Matters and Corporate Relations, effective in March 2013.

Townsley has more than 30 years of experience in multi-utility corporations providing water, wastewater, electricity, natural gas, and telecommunications services across the United States.

Most recently, he served as Divisional Vice President, Operations and Engineering, for EPCOR Water USA, where he was responsible for its operations, engineering, construction, operational risk and safety, water quality, environmental compliance, and water resources in Arizona and New Mexico.

Previously, he served as President of American Water Works Company subsidiaries in Arizona, New Mexico, and Hawaii. Prior to that, he was American Water Works Company's President, Western Region, where he was responsible for regulated utilities in five western states, including California. Before joining American Water Works Company in 2002, Townsley held several senior management positions at Citizens Utilities Company, where he was responsible for electricity, natural gas, telecommunications, water, and wastewater business units in Arizona and eventually for Citizens' water and wastewater subsidiaries nationwide.

"Paul brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the position. Having successfully led regulated utilities in California, New Mexico, Arizona, and Hawaii, he has a clear understanding of the importance of effective regulatory affairs management to our Company's success," said Peter C. Nelson, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of California Water Service Group.

Townsley holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Marine Engineering from the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, New York. He is a licensed professional engineer in Arizona and Hawaii and holds a national license as a marine engineer.

He currently resides in Scottsdale, Arizona, but plans to relocate to the San Jose area in the near future.

California Water Service Group is the parent company of California Water Service Company, Washington Water Service Company, New Mexico Water Service Company, Hawaii Water Service Company, Inc., CWS Utility Services, and HWS Utility Services, LLC. Together these companies provide regulated and non-regulated water service to approximately 2 million people in more than 100 California, Washington, New Mexico and Hawaii communities. Group's common stock trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "CWT."

This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning established by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 ("Act"). The forward-looking statements are intended to qualify under provisions of the federal securities laws for "safe harbor" treatment established by the Act. Forward-looking statements are based on currently available information, expectations, estimates, assumptions and projections, and management's judgment about the Company, the water utility industry and general economic conditions. Such words as expects, intends, plans, believes, estimates, assumes, anticipates, projects, predicts, forecasts or variations of such words or similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance. They are subject to uncertainty and changes in circumstances. Actual results may vary materially from what is contained in a forward-looking statement. Factors that may cause a result different than expected or anticipated include but are not limited to: governmental and regulatory commissions' decisions, including decisions on proper disposition of property; changes in regulatory commissions' policies and procedures; the timeliness of regulatory commissions' actions concerning rate relief; new legislation; changes in accounting valuations and estimates; the ability to satisfy requirements related to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and other regulations on internal controls; electric power interruptions; increases in suppliers' prices and the availability of supplies including water and power; fluctuations in interest rates; changes in environmental compliance and water quality requirements; acquisitions and our ability to successfully integrate acquired companies; the ability to successfully implement business plans; changes in customer water use patterns; the impact of weather on water sales and operating results; access to sufficient capital on satisfactory terms; civil disturbances or terrorist threats or acts, or apprehension about the possible future occurrences of acts of this type; the involvement of the United States in war or other hostilities; restrictive covenants in or changes to the credit ratings on our current or future debt that could increase our financing costs or affect our ability to borrow, make payments on debt or pay dividends; and, other risks and unforeseen events. When considering forward-looking statements, you should keep in mind the cautionary statements included in this paragraph. The Company assumes no obligation to provide public updates of forward-looking statements.

1720 North First Street
San Jose, CA 95112-4598