Cascal N.V. Comments on Draft Determination of Rates for its UK Subsidiary
July 23 2009 - 9:20AM
PR Newswire (US)
LONDON, July 23 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Cascal N.V. (NYSE:HOO)
(the "Company"), a leading provider of water and wastewater
services in seven countries, today commented on the Draft
Determination of Rates for its Bournemouth and West Hampshire Water
subsidiary, published by the UK regulator, Ofwat. The draft
determination for Bournemouth and West Hampshire Water includes
real rate adjustments (i.e. before inflation) of +2.5%, +1.3%,
-1.3%, -0.4% and +2.5% for the five years starting on April 1,
2010. The draft determination also provides for a capital
investment of 43 million pounds Sterling for the period 2010-2015
compared to approximately 53 million pounds Sterling for the prior
period 2005-2010 (expressed in 2007/08 prices). Stephane Richer,
Cascal's Chief Executive Officer commented, "Ofwat's draft
determination for our Bournemouth and West Hampshire Water
subsidiary involves lower rate increases and a smaller amount of
capital expenditure when compared with what we had submitted in our
Final Business Plan. We are now beginning a detailed analysis of
Ofwat's draft determination, and will work over the next few months
to make a stronger case to the regulator in support of our business
plan." Richer continued, "We have taken great care to recognize our
customers' stated priorities in the formulation of our business
plan, and we will continue to work to ensure that these priorities
are reflected in Ofwat's final determination." The regulatory
process now includes a period of consultation with key stakeholders
leading to Ofwat's final rate determination in November. About
Cascal N.V. Cascal provides water and wastewater services to its
customers in seven countries: the United Kingdom, China, South
Africa, Chile, Indonesia, Panama and The Philippines. Cascal's
customers are predominantly homes and businesses representing a
total population of approximately 4.3 million. Forward-looking
statements This release contains forward-looking statements within
the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of
1995, including statements relating to the future of our operations
in Panama. Such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of
future performance. There are important factors, many of which are
outside of our control, that could cause actual results to differ
materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking
statements including: general economic business conditions,
unfavorable weather conditions, housing and population growth
trends, changes in energy prices and taxes, fluctuations with
currency exchange rates, changes in regulations or regulatory
treatment, changes in environmental compliance and water quality
requirements, availability and the cost of capital, the success of
growth initiatives, acquisitions and our ability to successfully
integrate acquired companies and other factors discussed in our
filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including
under Risk Factors in our Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended March
31, 2009, filed with the SEC on July 1, 2009. We do not undertake
and have no obligation to publicly update or revise any
forward-looking statement. Investor Contacts: KCSA Strategic
Communications Jeffrey Goldberger / Yemi Rose +1 212.896.1249 / +1
212.896.1233 / DATASOURCE: Cascal N.V. CONTACT: Investors, Jeffrey
Goldberger, +1-212-896-1249, , or Yemi Rose, +1-212-896-1233,
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