-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, O9V4Pm4gV5JefidJKnnUZ9KnkcNc/RHCmuzl/qJ8ht9hkomr+kn7JL2MzEpmNnOR EXe2ebQY4KSlPPhkJUhC3w== 0000898431-97-000025.txt : 19970122 0000898431-97-000025.hdr.sgml : 19970122 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0000898431-97-000025 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 424B3 PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 1 FILED AS OF DATE: 19970121 SROS: NYSE FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: UNITED STATES FILTER CORP CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000318025 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: REFRIGERATION & SERVICE INDUSTRY MACHINERY [3580] IRS NUMBER: 330266015 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 0331 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 424B3 SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-19489 FILM NUMBER: 97507988 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 40-004 COOK STREET CITY: PALM DESERT STATE: CA ZIP: 92211 BUSINESS PHONE: 6193400098 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 40-004 COOK STREET CITY: PALM DESERT STATE: CA ZIP: 92211 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: AMERICAN TOXXIC CONTROL INC DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 19910401 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: NOVAN ENERGY INC DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 19871227 424B3 1 PROSPECTUS January 17, 1997 3,201,507 SHARES UNITED STATES FILTER CORPORATION COMMON STOCK (PAR VALUE $.01 PER SHARE) ___________________ This prospectus provides for the offering of up to an aggregate of 3,201,507 shares (the "Shares") of the Common Stock, par value $.01 per share ("Common Stock"), of United States Filter Corporation (the "Company"). The Shares were acquired by the Selling Stockholders named herein on October 28, 1996 pursuant to the terms of a Stock Purchase Agreement dated as of September 10, 1996 (the "Stock Purchase Agreement"). The Shares were issued in exchange for all of the outstanding Common Stock of WaterPro Supplies Corporation ("WaterPro") and in repayment of debt owed by WaterPro to one of the Selling Stockholders. See "Selling Stockholders." The Shares may be offered or sold by or for the account of the Selling Stockholders from time to time or at one time on one or more exchanges or otherwise, at prices and on terms to be determined at the time of sale, to purchasers directly or by or through brokers or dealers who may receive compensation in the form of discounts, commissions or concessions. The Selling Stockholders and any such brokers or dealers may be deemed to be "underwriters" within the meaning of the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), and any discounts, concessions and commissions received by any such brokers and dealers may be deemed to be underwriting commissions or discounts under the Securities Act. The Company will not receive any of the proceeds from any sale of the Shares offered hereby. See "Use of Proceeds," "Selling Stockholders" and "Plan of Distribution." The Common Stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (the "NYSE") and traded under the symbol "USF." The last reported sale price of the Common Stock on the NYSE on January 16, 1997 was $31.625 per share. _____________________ SEE "RISK FACTORS" BEGINNING ON PAGE 3 FOR CERTAIN CONSIDERATIONS RELEVANT TO AN INVESTMENT IN THE COMMON STOCK. _____________________ THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE. 2 AVAILABLE INFORMATION The Company is subject to the informational requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and in accordance therewith files periodic reports, proxy solicitation materials and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission"). Such reports, proxy solicitation materials and other information can be inspected and copied at the public reference facilities maintained by the Commission at Judiciary Plaza, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549 and at the Commission's Regional Offices located at Seven World Trade Center, Suite 1300, New York, New York 10048 and Citicorp Center 500 West Madison Street, Suite 1400, Chicago, Illinois 60661-2511. Copies of such materials can be obtained from the Public Reference Section of the Commission, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549, at prescribed rates. The Commission maintains a Web site that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding registrants that file electronically with the Commission. Such reports, proxy and information statements and other information may be found on the Commission's site address, http://www.sec.gov. The Common Stock is listed on the NYSE. Such reports, proxy solicitation materials and other information can also be inspected and copied at the NYSE at 20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005. The Company has filed with the Commission a registration statement on Form S-3 (herein, together with all amendments and exhibits, referred to as the "Registration Statement") under the Securities Act with respect to the offering made hereby. This Prospectus does not contain all of the information set forth in the Registration Statement, certain portions of which are omitted in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Commission. Such additional information may be obtained from the Commission's principal office in Washington, D.C. as set forth above. For further information, reference is hereby made to the Registration Statement, including the exhibits filed as a part thereof or otherwise incorporated herein. Statements made in this Prospectus as to the contents of any documents referred to are not necessarily complete, and in each instance reference is made to such exhibit for a more complete description and each such statement is modified in its entirety by such reference. INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE The following documents filed by the Company (File No. 1- 10728) with the Commission pursuant to the Exchange Act are incorporated by reference: The Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1996; the Company's Quarterly Reports for the quarters ended June 30, 1996 and 3 September 30, 1996; and the Company's Current Reports on Form 8-K dated May 31, 1996 (as amended on Form 8-K/A dated June 28, 1996), June 10, 1996, June 27, 1996, July 15, 1996 (two such Current Reports), August 23, 1996, September 6, 1996, October 28, 1996 (as amended on Form 8-K/A dated December 19, 1996), November 6, 1996 and December 2, 1996; and the description of the Common Stock contained in the Company's Registration Statement on Form 8-A, as the same may be amended. All documents and reports subsequently filed by the Company pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act after the date of this Prospectus and prior to the termination of the offering made by this Prospectus shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference herein. Any statement contained herein or in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this Prospectus to the extent that a statement contained herein or in any subsequently filed document which is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference herein modifies or supersedes such statement. Any such statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this Prospectus. The Company will provide to each person to whom a copy of this Prospectus is delivered, upon the written or oral request of such person, without charge, a copy of any or all of the documents that are incorporated herein by reference, other than exhibits to such information (unless such exhibits are specifically incorporated by reference into such documents). Requests should be directed to Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary, United States Filter Corporation, 40-004 Cook Street, Palm Desert, California 92211 (telephone (619) 340-0098). THE COMPANY The Company is a leading global provider of industrial and municipal water and wastewater treatment systems, products and services, with an installed base of systems that the Company believes is one of the largest worldwide. The Company offers a single-source solution to industrial and municipal customers through what the Company believes is the industry's broadest range of cost-effective systems, products, services and proven technologies. In addition, the Company has one of the industry's largest networks of sales and service facilities. The Company capitalizes on its large installed base, extensive distribution network and manufacturing capabilities to provide customers with ongoing local service and maintenance. The Company is also a leading provider of service deionization and outsourced water services, including the operation of water and wastewater treatment systems at customer sites. 4 The Company's principal executive offices are located at 40- 004 Cook Street, Palm Desert, California 92211, and its telephone number is (619) 340-0098. References herein to the Company refer to United States Filter Corporation and its subsidiaries, unless the context requires otherwise. RISK FACTORS Prospective investors should consider carefully the following factors relating to the business of the Company, together with the other information and financial data included or incorporated by reference in this Prospectus, before acquiring the securities offered hereby. Information contained or incorporated by reference in this Prospectus includes "forward- looking statements" which can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "believes," "contemplates," "expects," "may," "will," "should," "would" or "anticipates" or the negative thereof or other variations thereon or comparable terminology. No assurance can be given that the future results covered by the forward-looking statements will be achieved. The following matters constitute cautionary statements identifying important factors with respect to such forward-looking statements, including certain risks and uncertainties, that could cause actual results to vary materially from the future results covered in such forward-looking statements. Other factors could also cause actual results to vary materially from the future results covered in such forward-looking statements. ACQUISITION STRATEGY In pursuit of its strategic objective of becoming the leading global single-source provider of water and wastewater treatment systems and services, the Company has, since 1991, acquired and successfully integrated more than 45 United States based and international businesses with strong market positions and substantial water and wastewater treatment expertise. The Company plans to continue to pursue acquisitions that complement its technologies, products and services, broaden its customer base and expand its global distribution network. The Company's acquisition strategy entails the potential risks inherent in assessing the value, strengths, weaknesses, contingent or other liabilities and potential profitability of acquisition candidates and in integrating the operations of acquired companies. Although the Company generally has been successful in pursuing these acquisitions, there can be no assurance that acquisition opportunities will continue to be available, that the Company will have access to the capital required to finance potential acquisitions, that the Company will continue to acquire businesses or that any business acquired will be integrated successfully or prove profitable. 5 INTERNATIONAL TRANSACTIONS The Company has made and expects it will continue to make acquisitions and expects to obtain contracts in markets outside the United States. While these activities may provide important opportunities for the Company to offer its products and services internationally, they also entail the risks associated with conducting business internationally, including the risk of currency fluctuations, slower payment of invoices, nationalization and possible social, political and economic instability. RELIANCE ON KEY PERSONNEL The Company's operations are dependent on the continued efforts of senior management, in particular Richard J. Heckmann, the Company's Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer. There are no employment agreements between the Company and the members of its senior management, except Thierry Reyners, the Company's Executive Vice President--European Group. Should any of the senior managers be unable to continue in their present roles, the Company's prospects could be adversely affected. PROFITABILITY OF FIXED PRICE CONTRACTS A significant portion of the Company's revenues are generated under fixed price contracts. To the extent that original cost estimates are inaccurate, costs to complete increase, delivery schedules are delayed or progress under a contract is otherwise impeded, revenue recognition and profitability from a particular contract may be adversely affected. The Company routinely records upward or downward adjustments with respect to fixed price contracts due to changes in estimates of costs to complete such contracts. There can be no assurance that future downward adjustments will not be material. CYCLICALITY AND SEASONALITY The sale of capital equipment within the water treatment industry is cyclical and influenced by various economic factors including interest rates and general fluctuations of the business cycle. A significant portion of the Company's revenues are derived from capital equipment sales. While the Company sells capital equipment to customers in diverse industries and in global markets, cyclicality of capital equipment sales and 6 instability of general economic conditions could have an adverse effect on the Company's revenues and profitability. The sale of water and wastewater distribution equipment and supplies is also cyclical and influenced by various economic factors including interest rates, land development and housing construction industry cycles. Sales of such equipment and supplies are also subject to seasonal fluctuation in northern climates. As a result of recent acquisitions, the sale of water and wastewater distribution equipment and supplies is a significant component of the Company's business. Cyclicality and seasonality of water and wastewater distribution equipment and supplies sales could have an adverse effect on the Company's revenues and profitability. POTENTIAL ENVIRONMENTAL RISKS The Company's business and products may be significantly influenced by the constantly changing body of environmental laws and regulations, which require that certain environmental standards be met and impose liability for the failure to comply with such standards. The Company is also subject to inherent risks associated with environmental conditions at facilities owned, and the state of compliance with environmental laws, by businesses acquired by the Company. While the Company endeavors at each of its facilities to assure compliance with environmental laws and regulations, there can be no assurance that the Company's operations or activities, or historical operations by others at the Company's locations, will not result in cleanup obligations, civil or criminal enforcement actions or private actions that could have a material adverse effect on the Company. In that regard federal and state environmental regulatory authorities have commenced civil enforcement actions related to alleged multiple violations of applicable wastewater pretreatment standards by a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company at a Connecticut ion exchange regeneration facility acquired by the Company in October 1995 from Anjou International Company ("Anjou"). A grand jury investigation is pending which is believed to relate to the same conditions that were the subject of the civil actions. The Company has certain rights of indemnification from Anjou which may be available with respect to these matters. In addition, the Company's activities as owner and operator of certain hazardous waste treatment and recovery facilities are subject to stringent laws and regulations and compliance reviews. Failure of these facilities to comply with those regulations could result in substantial fines and the suspension or revocation of the facility's hazardous waste permit. In other matters, the Company has been notified by the United States Environmental Protection Agency that it is a potentially responsible party under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act 7 ("CERCLA") at certain sites to which the Company or its predecessors allegedly sent waste in the past. It is possible that the Company could receive other such notices under CERCLA or analogous state laws in the future. The Company does not believe that its liability, if any, relating to such matters will be material. However, there can be no assurance that such matters will not be material. In addition, to some extent, the liabilities and risks imposed by environmental laws on the Company's customers may adversely impact demand for certain of the Company's products or services or impose greater liabilities and risks on the Company, which could also have an adverse effect on the Company's competitive or financial position. COMPETITION The water and wastewater treatment industry is fragmented and highly competitive. The Company competes with many United States based and international companies in its global markets. The principal methods of competition in the markets in which the Company competes are technology, prompt availability of local service capability, price, product specifications, customized design, product knowledge and reputation, ability to obtain sufficient performance bonds, timely delivery, the relative ease of system operation and maintenance, and the prompt availability of replacement parts. In the municipal contract bid process, pricing and ability to meet bid specifications are the primary considerations. While no competitor is considered dominant, there are competitors which have significantly greater resources than the Company, which, among other things, could be a competitive disadvantage to the Company in securing certain projects. TECHNOLOGICAL AND REGULATORY CHANGE The water and wastewater treatment business is characterized by changing technology, competitively imposed process standards and regulatory requirements, each of which influences the demand for the Company's products and services. Changes in regulatory or industrial requirements may render certain of the Company's treatment products and processes obsolete. Acceptance of new products may also be affected by the adoption of new government regulations requiring stricter standards. The Company's ability to anticipate changes in technology and regulatory standards and to develop successfully and introduce new and enhanced products on a timely basis will be a significant factor in the Company's ability to grow and to remain competitive. There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to achieve the technological advances that may be necessary for it to remain competitive or that certain of its products will not become obsolete. In addition, the Company is subject to the risks 8 generally associated with new product introductions and applications, including lack of market acceptance, delays in development or failure of products to operate properly. MUNICIPAL AND WASTEWATER MARKET Completion of certain recent and pending acquisitions will increase significantly the percentage of the Company's revenues derived from municipal customers. While municipalities represent an important market in the water and wastewater treatment industry, contractor selection processes and funding for projects in the municipal sector entail certain additional risks not typically encountered with industrial customers. Competition for selection of a municipal contractor typically occurs through a formal bidding process which can require the commitment of significant resources and greater lead times than industrial projects. In addition, demand in the municipal market is dependent upon the availability of funding at the local level, which may be the subject of increasing pressure as local governments are expected to bear a greater share of the cost of public services. A company recently acquired by the Company, Zimpro Environmental, Inc. ("Zimpro"), is party to certain agreements (entered into in 1990 at the time Zimpro was acquired from unrelated third parties by the entities from which it was later acquired by the Company), pursuant to which Zimpro agreed, among other things, to pay the original sellers a royalty of 3.0% of its annual consolidated net sales of certain products in excess of $35.0 million through October 25, 2000. Under certain interpretations of such agreements, with which the Company disagrees, Zimpro could be liable for such royalties with respect to the net sales attributable to products, systems and services of certain defined wastewater treatment businesses acquired by Zimpro or the Company or the Company's other subsidiaries after May 31, 1996. The defined businesses include, among others, manufacturing machinery and equipment, and engineering, installation, operation and maintenance services related thereto, for the treatment and disposal of waste liquids, toxic waste and sludge. One of the prior sellers has revealed in a letter to the Company an interpretation contrary to that of the Company. The Company believes that it would have meritorious defenses to any claim based upon any such interpretation and would vigorously pursue the elimination of any threat to expand what it believes to be its obligations pursuant to such agreements. SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE The market price of the Common Stock could be adversely affected by the availability for public sale of shares held on 9 November 10, 1996 by security holders of the Company, including: (i) up to 3,750,093 shares which may be delivered by Laidlaw Inc. or its affiliates ("Laidlaw"), at Laidlaw's option in lieu of cash, at maturity pursuant to the terms of 5-3/4% Exchangeable Notes due 2000 of Laidlaw (the amount of shares or cash delivered or paid to be dependent within certain limits upon the value of the Common Stock at maturity); (ii) 7,636,363 shares issuable upon conversion of the Company's 6% Convertible Subordinated Notes due 2005 at a conversion price of $18.33 per share of Common Stock; (iii) 9,113,924 shares issuable upon conversion of the Company's 4-1/2% Convertible Subordinated Notes at a conversion price of $39.50 per share of Common Stock; (iv) 2,908,171 outstanding shares that are currently registered for sale under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), pursuant to two shelf registration statements; and (v) 6,191,145 shares which are subject to agreements pursuant to which the holders have certain rights to request the Company to register the sale of such holders' Common Stock under the Securities Act and/or, subject to certain conditions, to include certain percentages of such shares in other registration statements filed by the Company (1,980,000 of which shares also may be sold from time to time by the holder thereof pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act). In addition, the Company has registered for sale under the Securities Act 4,457,068 shares which may be issuable by the Company from time to time in connection with acquisitions of businesses from third parties. USE OF PROCEEDS The Selling Stockholders will receive all of the net proceeds from any sale of the Shares offered hereby, and none of such proceeds will be available for use by the Company or otherwise for the Company's benefit. SELLING STOCKHOLDERS The Shares which may be offered pursuant to this Prospectus will be offered by or for the account of the persons named in the table below (the "Selling Stockholders"), who acquired the Shares on October 28, 1996 pursuant to the Stock Purchase Agreement. The following table sets forth certain information regarding beneficial ownership of shares of Common Stock by the Selling Stockholders as of December 31, 1996, which shares constitute the Shares offered hereby. Except with respect to Edmundson International, Inc. ("Edmundson"), the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by each Selling Stockholder is less than 1% of the outstanding Common Stock. The Selling Stockholders intend to sell all of the Shares. 10 Percentage of Shares Owned Outstanding Selling Stockholders Beneficially Common Stock -------------------- ------------ ------------- Edmundson International, Inc. 2,971,119 4.26% Hajoca Corporation 114,615 -- Richard J. Klau 86,830 -- Christopher M. Pappo 28,943 -- Pursuant to the Stock Purchase Agreement, the Company acquired all of the outstanding voting securities of WaterPro. Prior to such acquisition, the Selling Stockholders were shareholders of WaterPro and had certain contractual and other rights with respect to their share holdings in WaterPro. In addition, prior to such acquisition Edmundson was a significant creditor of WaterPro and had certain contractual and other rights with respect to its debt holdings in WaterPro. Richard J. Klau was the President, and Christopher M. Pappo was the Vice President-Finance and Administration and Assistant Secretary, respectively, of WaterPro prior to such acquisition. Other than as described herein, the Selling Stockholders do not have, and within the past three years did not have, any position, office or other material relationship with the Company or any of its predecessors or affiliates. PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION Shares offered hereby may be sold from time to time or at one time by or for the account of the Selling Stockholders on one or more exchanges or otherwise; directly to purchasers in negotiated transactions; by or through brokers or dealers, which may include Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette Securities Corporation ("DLJ"), in ordinary brokerage transactions or transactions in which a broker or dealer, which may include DLJ, solicits purchasers; in block trades in which brokers or dealers, which may include DLJ, will attempt to sell Shares as agent but may position and resell a portion of the block as principal; in transactions in which a broker or dealer, which may include DLJ, purchases as principal for resale for its own account; or in any combination of the foregoing methods. Shares may be sold at a fixed offering price, which may be changed, at the prevailing market price at the time of sale, at prices related to such prevailing market price or at negotiated prices. Brokers or dealers may arrange for others to participate in any such transaction and may receive compensation in the form of discounts, commissions or concessions payable by the Company and/or the purchasers of Shares. If required at the time that a 11 particular offer of Shares is made, a supplement to this Prospectus will be delivered that describes any material arrangements for the distribution of Shares and the terms of the offering, including, without limitation, any discounts, commissions or concessions and other items constituting compensation from the Selling Stockholders or otherwise. The Company may agree to indemnify participating brokers or dealers, which may include DLJ, against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act. The Company and the Selling Stockholders are obligated to indemnify each other against certain civil liabilities arising under the Securities Act. The Selling Stockholders and any such brokers or dealers may be deemed to be "underwriters" within the meaning of the Securities Act, in which event any discounts, commissions or concessions received by such brokers or dealers and any profit on the resale of the Shares purchased by such brokers or dealers may be deemed to be underwriting commissions or discounts under the Securities Act. The Company has informed the Selling Stockholders that the provisions of Rules 10b-6 and 10b-7 under the Exchange Act may apply to their sales of Shares and has furnished the Selling Stockholders with a copy of these rules. The Company also has advised the Selling Stockholders of the requirement for delivery of a prospectus in connection with any sale of the Shares. Any Shares covered by this Prospectus which qualify for sale pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act may be sold under Rule 144 rather than pursuant to this Prospectus. There is no assurance that the Selling Stockholders will sell any or all of the Shares. The Selling Stockholders may transfer, devise or gift such Shares by other means not described herein. The Company has agreed that it will pay to the Selling Stockholders the aggregate amount by which (i) the net proceeds per Share received from the sale of Shares prior to the close of business on January 27, 1997 are less than $33.125, and (ii) the net proceeds per Share received from the sale of Shares from January 28, 1997 through February 26, 1997 are less than $33.125 plus interest at the then current prime or bank reference rate of Bank of America from January 28, 1997 through the date of payment. In addition, the Company has agreed that it will purchase from the Selling Stockholders any Shares which are unsold at the close of business on February 26, 1997 at $33.125 per share plus interest for the period and at the rate described above. The Company will pay all of the expenses, including, but not limited to, fees and expenses of compliance with state securities or "blue sky" laws, incident to the registration of the Shares. 12 VALIDITY OF COMMON STOCK The validity of the Shares of Common Stock offered hereby will be passed upon for the Company by Damian C. Georgino, Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of the Company. INDEPENDENT CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS The consolidated financial statements of United States Filter Corporation and its subsidiaries as of March 31, 1995 and 1996 and for each of the three years in the period ended March 31, 1996, except for the consolidated financial statements of Davis Water & Waste Industries, Inc. and its subsidiaries as of April 30, 1996 and 1995 and for each of the three years in the period ended April 30, 1996, have been audited by KPMG Peat Marwick LLP, independent certified public accountants, as stated in their report incorporated by reference herein. The consolidated financial statements of Davis Water & Waste Industries, Inc. and its subsidiaries, which have been consolidated with those of the Company, have been audited by Price Waterhouse LLP as stated in their report incorporated herein by reference. Such financial statements of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries are incorporated by reference herein in reliance upon the report of such firms given on the authority of said firms as experts in accounting and auditing. The combined financial statements of the Systems and Manufacturing Group of Wheelabrator Technologies Inc. as of December 31, 1994 and 1995 and for each of the years in the three year period ended December 31, 1995 have been incorporated by reference herein in reliance upon the report of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP, independent certified public accountants, which report is incorporated by reference herein, and upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing. The aggregated financial statements of the United Utilities Plc Process Equipment Division as of March 31, 1996 and 1995 and for each of the years in the two-year period ended March 31, 1996, have been incorporated by reference herein in reliance upon the report of KPMG Audit Plc, independent chartered accountants, which report is incorporated by reference herein, and upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing. The consolidated financial statements of Davis Water & Waste Industries, Inc. incorporated in this Prospectus by reference to the audited historical financial statements included in United States Filter Corporation's Form 8-K dated June 27, 1996 have been so incorporated in reliance on the report of Price 13 Waterhouse LLP, independent accountants, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting. The consolidated financial statements of Zimpro Environmental, Inc. as of December 31, 1995 and 1994 and for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 1995 incorporated herein by reference, have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent auditors, as set forth in their report thereon incorporated by reference elsewhere herein, and are included in reliance upon such report given upon the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing. The audited financial statements of WaterPro Supplies Corporation as of December 31, 1995 and for the period from April 7, 1995 to December 31, 1995 incorporated by reference in this prospectus have been audited by Arthur Andersen LLP, independent public accountants as indicated in their report with respect thereto, and are incorporated by reference herein in reliance upon the authority of said firm as experts in giving said report. 14 ============================= ============================== NO PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY REPRESENTATIONS OTHER THAN THOSE CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS, AND, IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATIONS MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED. THIS PROSPECTUS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER 3,201,507 SHARES TO SELL OR THE SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY ANY SECURITIES OTHER THAN THE UNITED STATES FILTER CORPORATION SECURITIES TO WHICH IT RELATES OR AN OFFER TO SELL OR THE SOLICITATION OF AN COMMON STOCK OFFER TO BUY SUCH SECURITIES IN ANY CIRCUMSTANCES IN WHICH SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION IS UNLAWFUL. NEITHER THE DELIVERY OF THIS PROSPECTUS NOR ANY SALE MADE HEREUNDER SHALL, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, CREATE ANY IMPLICATION THAT THERE HAS BEEN NO CHANGE IN THE AFFAIRS OF THE COMPANY SINCE THE DATE HEREOF OR THAT THE INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS CORRECT AS OF ANY TIME SUBSEQUENT TO ITS DATE. ________________ _____________ TABLE OF CONTENTS PROSPECTUS PAGE ________________ Available Information . . . 2 Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference . 2 The Company . . . . . . . . 3 Risk Factors . . . . . . . 3 Use of Proceeds . . . . . . 7 Selling Stockholders . . . 7 Plan of Distribution . . . 8 Validity of Common Stock . 9 Independent Certified Public January 17, 1997 Accountants . . . . . . . . 9 ============================= ============================== -----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----