California American Water has acquired East Pasadena Water Co., a family-owned company in Pasadena that has served area homes and businesses for more than 85 years.
A statement issued by California American Water (Cal-Am) said East Pasadena Water Co.’s approximately 3,000 customers will now be served by California American Water’s Los Angeles County District. The statement added the sale has been approved by the California Public Utilities Commission and the transaction was completed Tuesday.
East Pasadena Water Co. provides water service only to East Pasadena areas inside Los Angeles County but does not provide water to any business or residences inside the city of Pasadena. Addresses inside the city limits of Pasadena are served by Pasadena Water and Power (PWP).
“Our team is excited to serve East Pasadena’s water customers and further expand our footprint in Los Angeles County,” said Rich Svindland, California American Water’s president.
“We have a long history of providing high-quality, reliable service to our customers and we look forward to playing a vital role in the lives of our new customers,” Svindland said. “We welcome East Pasadena Water Co. customers and look forward to providing them the same great level of service that nearly 900,000 of our existing customers already enjoy.”
East Pasadena Water Co. sent out letters to their customers on Sept. 15, along with the latest monthly bill, saying customers will be receiving their water bill from Cal-Am starting in October. The letter was issued from the office of Lawrence M. Morales, company president.
On the East Pasadena Water Co. website, the company advised customers that they can no longer pay their bills through the site, or avail of any other online service the company previously offered. Instead, customers are advised to visit www.californiaamwater.com to set up online log-in credentials to their accounts.
In an earlier letter in August, East Pasadena Water Co. owner Tony Garnier said the regulatory obligations of running a water utility “have become more than our small staff can handle.”
“After talking to several other companies, we felt California American Water was the best fit for our East Pasadena customers,” Garnier wrote. “I am pleased to note that you will continue to see many familiar faces as our employees will be joining the California American Water team.”
Cal-Am, a subsidiary of American Water, provides water and wastewater services to more than 690,000 California residents. The Cal-Am statement said the sale will bring many benefits to the former East Pasadena Water customers including access to new services such as conservation programs and MyWater, the company’s online customer service portal.
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3 thoughts on “California American Water Acquires East Pasadena Water Co.”
As a customer of California American Water Co for many, many years, I am so sorry to hear of this water transfer to a small county community. This company has changed over the years now and calls itself a “national” company for California and Hawaii. There is no longer Customer Service, impossible to contact anyone although they freely send emails. Looking at their rate hikes and changes now and to come is a shocking wake-up call. Their water is “gold” so be prepared for the changes that you will be facing as you deal with them.
Where does East Pasadena Water Co. get it’s water source from now and where will Calif. American Water get the water at the take over moment? Is it still the same MWD water? Will the new company still be getting water from the Raymond Basin and what water rights were surrendered or gained by the merger What impact will this have on any water Pasadena did supply to east county Residents?
This makes me so happy to hear. As a Pasadena resident with issues in the past, I am no fan of East Pasadena Water or their President, Larry Morales.