A CIVIL SETTLEMENT HAS BEEN REACH BETWEEN CALIFORNIA AMERICAN WATER COMPANY (AKA CAL-AM) AND THE MONTEREY COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY’S OFFICE. THE SUIT WAS BASED ON THE WATER COMPANY’S VIOLATIONS OF HAZARDOUS WASTE LAWS THAT STEMMED FROM HANDLING OF WASTE SLUDGE AT 3 OF ITS FACILITIES. CAL-AM HAS AGREED TO PAY NEARLY 400 THOUSAND DOLLARS. THE SETTLEMENT MONEY WILL GO TOWARD HELPING RURAL DISTRICT ATTORNEYS PROSECUTE ENVIRONMENTAL CASES.