FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Aug. 12, 2005

Reporters and Editors, Please Note

WHO: Desert Research Institute in cooperation with Producer/Director Jim Thebaut and The Chronicles Group, Inc.

WHAT: Hosting the Nevada premier of "Running Dry," a compelling documentary that issues an urgent call to save millions of people around the world imperiled by the lack of access to safe drinking water and basic sanitation

WHERE: Desert Research Institute, Elizabeth West Stout Conference Center, 2215 Raggio Parkway, Reno, Nev. 89512

WHEN: Tuesday, Aug. 16 at 6:30 p.m.

HOW: Drinks and hors d'oeuvres will be served at 6:30 p.m., followed by the premier at 7:00 p.m. A panel discussion about solutions to water issues will follow the premier, led by Patricia Mulroy, general manager of the Southern Nevada Water Authority, who appears in the film, and Dr. John Warwick, executive director of DRI's division of hydrologic sciences.

Jim Thebaut, Patricia Simon, Patricia Mulroy, Dr. John Warwick and members of the panel will be available to media for interviews.

ABOUT RUNNING DRY: "Running Dry" was inspired by the late Senator Paul Simon’s powerful book "Tapped Out." Jim Thebaut, the film's producer and director, had been developing the project in association with Simon until his recent death. Simon's widow, Patricia Simon, has continued her husband's legacy by working with Thebaut and will be present at the premier. Award-winning actress Jane Seymour narrates as the film takes viewers on a journey that explores the impending severity of the global water crisis throughout specific regions in southern Asia, northern China, the Middle East, Africa and the American southwest. Various experts and world leaders, including former Soviet Union leader Mikhail Gorbachev, are interviewed throughout the documentary stating their concerns, not only about their own regions, but also about the challenges that exist throughout the world.

Every day an average of 9,500 children die due to the lack of water or because of disease caused by polluted water. "Running Dry" promotes and reinforces the message that water is a precious global resource, while also presenting a variety of solutions that are available to solve the crisis. The "Running Dry" project is designed to be a comprehensive public information education project concerning the evolving water crisis.

The "Running Dry" documentary was fully funded and made possible by a grant from American Water, as well as a substantial grant provided by Carnegie Corporation of New York. Other public and private entities have also contributed to the evolution of the project. For more information about the film and the Running Dry Project please go to the website www.runningdry.org