Exhibit 99.1

          Southwest Water Appoints Chairman, Vice Chairman;
                Announces Resignation of President/COO

    LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 19, 2006--Southwest Water
Company (NASDAQ:SWWC) today announced that its board of directors
elected chief executive officer, Mark A. Swatek, as a director and
chairman of the board, succeeding Anton C. Garnier, who remains a
director and was appointed executive vice chairman. Swatek was
appointed chief executive officer of Southwest Water in April and took
office on May 15th. The company also announced that Peter J. Moerbeek
has resigned as a director and as president and chief operating
officer.
    "Pete has decided to pursue other opportunities after helping
Southwest Water through a transition period," said Swatek. "He has
done a great job over the last 10 years, and Southwest Water has
benefited from his leadership and guidance. We want to thank Pete for
his service and wish him the very best in his future endeavors."
    Commenting on his new role, Swatek stated: "As I assume the added
role of chairman, I look forward to Tony's continued advice and
counsel. Southwest Water is a great company with a proven strategy,
and I am committed to continuing to enhance shareholder value. We will
continue to build on our geographic diversification strategy through
selected profitable utility acquisitions and new operations and
maintenance and design/build/operate contracts. We will also continue
to actively manage our utility rate proceedings and offer additional
value-added services to our current clients."
    Southwest Water Company provides a broad range of services
including water production, treatment and distribution; wastewater
collection and treatment; utility billing and collection; utility
infrastructure construction management; and public works services. The
company owns regulated public utilities and also serves cities,
utility districts and private companies under contract. More than two
million people from coast to coast depend on Southwest Water for
high-quality, reliable service. Additional information may be found on
the company's Web site: www.swwc.com.

    This document contains "forward-looking statements" within the
meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These
statements, including expectations relating to future revenues and
income, the company's ability to gain new business and control costs,
involve risks and uncertainties, as well as assumptions that, if they
prove incorrect or never materialize, could cause the results of the
company to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such
forward-looking statements. Actual results may differ materially from
these expectations due to changes in regulatory, political, weather,
economic, business, competitive, market, environmental and other
factors. More detailed information about these factors is contained in
the company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission,
including the company's 2005 Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly
Report for the quarter ended March 31, 2006 on Form 10-Q. The company
assumes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements to
reflect any change in future events.

    CONTACT: Southwest Water Company
             DeLise Keim, 213-929-1846
             www.swwc.com