8-K

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                                  UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D. C. 20549
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                                    FORM 8-K

                                 CURRENT REPORT
                     PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
                         SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

       Date of report (Date of earliest event reported): February 10, 2005

                             SOUTHWEST WATER COMPANY
             (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)


       Delaware                    0-8176                 95-1840947
(State of Incorporation)   (Commission File Number)    (I.R.S. Employer
                                                        Identification No.)


One Wilshire Building
624 South Grand Avenue, Suite 2900
Los Angeles, CA                                                 90017-3782
(Address of principal executive offices)                        (Zip Code)

                                 (213) 929-1800
              (Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

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   (Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last
                                  report date)

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Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to
simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the
following provisions:

[ ] Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act
    (17 CFR 230.425)
[ ] Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act
    (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
[ ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange
    Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
[ ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange
    Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

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Item 2.02  Results of Operations and Financial Condition

On February 10, 2005, Southwest Water Company issued a press release announcing
its preliminary financial results for the year ended December 31, 2004. A copy
of the press release is being furnished as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report
on Form 8-K.

In accordance with General Instruction B.2 of Form 8-K, the information in this
Current Report on Form 8-K, including Exhibit 99.1, shall not be deemed "filed"
for the purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended, or otherwise subject to the liability of that section, nor shall it be
deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933,
as amended, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such
a filing.


Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits

(c)      Exhibits


Exhibit
  No.                              Description
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99.1      Press release dated February 10, 2005




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                                    SIGNATURE

     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.


                                       SOUTHWEST WATER COMPANY
                                       (Registrant)

                                       By:   /s/ Richard J Shields
                                             ---------------------------------
                                              Name: Richard J. Shields
                                              Title: Chief Financial Officer

Date: February 11, 2005





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                                  Exhibit Index

Exhibit
  No.                                 Description
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99.1      Press release dated February 10, 2005





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EX-99.1

                                                                    Exhibit 99.1


Southwest Water Company Reports Preliminary Financial Results for 2004

    LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 10, 2005--Southwest Water Company
(NASDAQ:SWWC) today announced that, for the year ended December 31, 2004, it
expects to report revenues of approximately $188 million, income before taxes of
approximately $7 million and net income of approximately $4.4 million. The
company noted that these preliminary results for 2004 are unaudited. In 2003,
Southwest Water's revenues totaled $173 million, with income before taxes of
$11.2 million and net income of $7.2 million.
    The 2004 full-year estimate for revenue is approximately $2 million below
the company's prior guidance, and estimated net income is approximately $3.6
million less than guidance. The estimated income shortfall is primarily related
to project work delays, unusually wet weather, reserves, severance amounts, and
higher-than-anticipated expenses for Sarbanes Oxley documentation and testing.
    Anton C. Garnier, Southwest Water chairman and chief executive officer,
said, "There were numerous fourth quarter factors that collectively contributed
to our shortfall, but no one specific factor was principally responsible for our
underperformance. Looking to 2005, we are taking appropriate steps to resume
positive momentum in both the Utility and Services Groups. We believe the
fundamental strengths of our business remain firmly in place."
    Southwest Water anticipates releasing its complete financial results for
2004 and hosting a conference call to discuss its operations and answer
questions in early March.
    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 2003 Annual
Report on Form 10-K. The company assumes no obligation to update these
forward-looking statements to reflect any change in future events.


    CONTACT: Southwest Water Company
             Richard J. Shields, 213-929-1800
             www.swwc.com
             or
             PondelWilkinson Inc.
             Cecilia Wilkinson or Robert Jaffe
             310-279-5970 or 310-279-5969
             www.pondel.com