SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION

PROXY STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 14(A) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OFProxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
                                     

Filed by the Registrant  [X]x

Filed by a Party other than the Registrant  [_]o

Check the appropriate box:

[X]x     Preliminary Proxy Statement
[_] CONFIDENTIAL, FOR USE OF THE   
                                              COMMISSION ONLY (AS PERMITTED BY
[_]o     Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule
      14a-6(e)(2))
o     Definitive Proxy Statement
RULE 14C-5(D)(2))               
 
[_]o     Definitive Additional Materials
[_]o     Soliciting Material Pursuant to (S)Section 240.14a-11(c) or (S)Section
      240.14a-12

                        UNITED STATES FILTER CORPORATION
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                (Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)


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    (Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)

Payment of Filing Feefiling fee (Check the appropriate box):

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    Item 22(a)(2) of Schedule 14A.
 
[_] $500 per each party to the controversy pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 14a-
    6(i)(3).
 
[_]x     No fee required.
o     Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(4)(1) and 0-11.

      (1)   Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:

      (2)   Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:

      (3)   Per unit price or other  underlying  value of  transaction  computed
            pursuant  to  Exchange  Act Rule 0-11 (Set forth the amount on which
            the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):

      (4)   Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:

      (5)   Total fee paid:


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Notes:


                                                           [USF Logo]

                        UNITED STATES FILTER CORPORATION
                               40-004 Cook Street
                         Palm Desert, California  92211
 ______________________________________________________________________________Preliminary Copy



[LOGO OF U.S. FILTER]



To U.S. Filter Stockholders:

     In the past,  the Company  conducted  stockholder  meetings in Boston,  Los
Angeles  and Palm  Desert in an effort to improve  the  stockholders'  access to
corporate  management.  This  year,  we will  meet in San  Diego,  where we have
significant  stockholdings.  You are cordially invited to attend the 19961997 Annual
Meeting of U.S. FilterFilte significant  stockholdings  stockholders.  We will meet on
Tuesday,Thursday,  August 6, 199614, 1997 at 9:3000 a.m.,  Pacific  Daylight  Time, inat the Indian Wells Resort Hotel in Indian Wells, California.Inn at
Rancho Santa Fe, 5951 Linea del Cielo,  Rancho Santa Fe,  California  92067.

    I urge you to vote  your  shares by  proxy,  even if you plan to attend  the
meeting. After you read this proxy statement, indicate on the proxy card the way
you want to have your shares voted.  Then date,  sign and mail the proxy card in
the postage-paid envelope that is provided.

    Let us know ifWe hope to see you plan to attend the meeting by marking the appropriate
space on the proxy card.  We will then send you an admission card about a week
beforeat the meeting.

                                        Sincerely,


                                                    [Signature]




                                        Richard J. Heckmann
                                        Chairman of the Board,
                                        Chief Executive Officer and
                                        President

June 28, 1996July 7, 1997





                                                            Preliminary Copy


                        UNITED STATES FILTER CORPORATION
                               -----------------------------40-004 COOK STREET
                          PALM DESERT, CALIFORNIA 92211





                   NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
                           TO BE HELD AUGUST 6, 199614, 1997

     NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the "Annual
Meeting") of United States Filter  Corporation  (the  "Company") will be held at
the Indian Wells Resort Hotel, 76661 Highway 111, Indian Wells,Inn at Rancho Santa Fe, 5951 Linea del Cielo,  Rancho  Santa Fe,  California
9221092067, on Tuesday,Thursday, August 6, 199614, 1997 at 9:3000 a.m., Pacific Daylight Time, for the
following purposes, as more fully described in the attached Proxy Statement:

         1.  toTo elect three directors, each for a term of three years;

         2.  toTo approve the  Company's  1991  Employee  Stock Option Plan,  as
             amended and restated;

         3.  to approve the Company's 1991 Directors Stock Option Plan, as amended and
     restated;
  4. toTo  increase  the number of  authorized  shares of the  Company's
             Common Stock from 75,000,000150,000,000 to 150,000,000;
  5. to300,000,000;

         4.  To  ratify  the   appointment   of  KPMG  Peat   Marwick  LLP  as
             independent certified public accountants offor the Company; and

         to5.  To consider any other  matters that may properly  come before the
             meetingAnnual Meeting or any adjournment of the Annual Meeting.thereof.

    The Board of  Directors  has fixed the close of business on June 25, 199623, 1997 as
the record date for  determining the  stockholders  entitled to notice of and to
vote at the Annual Meeting or at any adjournment thereof. A complete list of the
stockholders  entitled  to  vote  at the  Annual  Meeting  will  be  open to the
examination of any stockholder during ordinary business hours for a period of at
least ten days  prior to the  Annual  Meeting  at the  executive  offices of the
Company, 40-004 Cook Street, Palm Desert, California 92211.

    You are cordially  invited to attend the Annual Meeting in person.  In order
to ensure your representation at the meeting, however, please promptly complete,
date, sign and return the enclosed proxy in the  accompanying  envelope.  If you
should decide to attend the Annual  Meeting and vote your shares in person,  you
may revoke your proxy at that time.

                                        By Order of the Board of Directors



                                        Damian C. Georgino
                                        Secretary

June 28, 1996July 7, 1997






                                                            Preliminary Copy

                        UNITED STATES FILTER CORPORATION
                               40-004 Cook Street
                         Palm Desert, CaliforniaCOOK STREET
                          PALM DESERT, CALIFORNIA 92211

                     -------------------------------------------------------------------


                                 PROXY STATEMENT
                                  June 28, 1996


                         -----------------------------July 7, 1997

                     ---------------------------------------


                    PROXY SOLICITATION AND VOTING INFORMATION

    The  accompanying  proxy is  solicited  by the Board of  Directors of United
States  Filter  Corporation  (the  "Company")  for use at the Annual  Meeting of
Stockholders (the "Annual  Meeting") to be held on Tuesday,Thursday,  August 6, 199614, 1997 at
the Indian Wells
Resort Hotel, 76661 Highway 111, Indian Wells,Inn at  Rancho  Santa Fe in San  Diego,  California  92210 at 9:3000  a.m.,  Pacific
Daylight  Time and at any  adjournment  of the Annual Meeting.  Thesethereof.  The  proxies  will be voted if
properly signed,  received by the Secretary of the Company prior to the close of
voting at the meetingAnnual  Meeting and not  revoked.  If no direction is given in the
proxy, it will be voted "FOR" (i) the election of the directors nominated;nominated by the
Board of  Directors;  (ii) the proposal to approve the  Company's  1991 Employee
Stock Option Plan, as amended and  restated (the "Amended Employee Plan
Proposal");restated;  (iii) the proposal to approve the Company's 1991 Directors Stock
Option Plan, as amended and restated (the "Amended Directors Plan Proposal");
(iv) the proposal to increase the
number of authorized  shares of the Company's  Common Stock from  75,000,000150,000,000 to
150,000,000300,000,000 (the "Authorized Capital  Amendment");  and (v)(iv) the ratification of
the appointment of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP as the Company's  independent certified
public  accountants.  With  respect to any other item of business  that may come
before the Annual Meeting,  the proxy holders will vote in accordance with their
best judgment.

    A  stockholder  who has returned a proxy may revoke it at any time before it
is voted at the  meetingAnnual  Meeting by  delivering  a revised  proxy,  by voting by
ballot at the Annual Meeting,  or by delivering a written notice withdrawing the
proxy  to the  Company's Secretary.Secretary  of the  Company.  This  notice  may be  mailed  to the
Secretary  at the  address  set  forth  above or may be  given  to the  judge of
election at the Annual Meeting.

    This Proxy Statement,  together with the accompanying  proxy, is first being
mailed to stockholders on or about June 28, 1996.July 7, 1997.

     Holders of record of Common Stock at the close of business on June 25, 199623, 1997
are entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting.  On that date,  2_,___,___80,239,254 shares of
Common  Stock  were  outstanding.  The  presence,  in  person  or by  proxy,  of
stockholders  entitled to cast at least a majority  of the votes  entitled to be
cast by all  stockholders  will  constitute  a  quorum  for the  transaction  of
business at the Annual Meeting.  Stockholders  are entitled to cast one vote per
share on each  matter  presented  for  consideration  and  action at the  Annual
Meeting.

  On June 4, 1996 the Company announced a three-for-two split of its Common
Stock.  The split will be effected in the form of a stock dividend payable on
July 15, 1996 to stockholders of record at the close of business on June 14,
1996 (the "Stock Split").  Except as otherwise specified, all share numbers used
herein are stated on a pre-Stock Split basis.

    Abstentions  may be specified as to all  proposals to be brought  before the
Annual Meeting, other than the election of directors. Under the rules of the New
York Stock  Exchange,  Inc. (the "NYSE"),  brokers  holding shares for customers
have  authority  to  vote  on  certain  matters  when  they  have  not  received
instructions  from the beneficial  owners,  and do not have such authority as to
certain other matters (so-called "broker  non-votes").  The NYSE has advised the
Company that member firms of the NYSE may vote without specific instruction from
beneficial  owners on the election of directors  and on each of the proposals to
be brought before the Annual Meeting.

    Approval of the Authorized  Capital  Amendment will require the  affirmative
vote of the holders of at least a majority of the  outstanding  shares of Common
Stock. Accordingly,  both abstentions and broker non-votes would have the effect
of a negative vote with respect to the Authorized Capital Amendment. Approval of
the other

proposals to be brought before the Annual Meeting (not including the election of
directors)  will require the  affirmative  vote of at least a majority in voting
interest of the stockholders present in person or by proxy at the Annual Meeting
and entitled to vote thereon. As to those proposals,  if a stockholder  abstains
from voting  certain shares it will have the effect of a negative vote, but if a
broker  indicates that it does not have authority to vote certain shares,  those
shares will not be considered  present and entitled to vote with respect to that
proposal  and  therefore  will have no effect on the  outcome of the vote.  With
regard to the election of directors, votes may be cast in favor or withheld. The
three persons receiving the highest number of favorable votes will be elected as
directors of the Company.


                              ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

    The Board of Directors of the Company consists of ten members,  divided into
three classes.  The terms of office of the three classes of directors  (Class I,
Class II and  Class  III) end in  successive  years.  The  terms of the  Class IIII
directors  expire this year and their successors are to be elected at the Annual
Meeting for a three-year  term  expiring in 1999.2000.  The terms of the Class III and
Class IIIII directors do not expire until 19971998 and 1998,1999, respectively.

    The Board of Directors has nominated  John L.  Diederich,  Nicholas C. Memmo
and C. Howard Wilkins,  Jr. for election as Class I directors.  The accompanying
proxy will be voted for the election of these nominees, unless authority to vote
for one or more  nominees is withheld.  In the event that any of the nominees is
unable  or  unwilling  to serve  as a  director  for any  reason  (which  is not
anticipated), the proxy will be voted for the election of any substitute nominee
designated by the Board of Directors.

    All  directors  were  previously  elected by the  Company's  stockholders,
except for Mr.  HillasQuayle and Mr.  Memmo.  Mr.  Quayle who werewas  elected as a Class II
director by the Board of  Directors  in February  1996 to fill two vacancies resultinga vacancy.  Mr.
Memmo has been  nominated  to stand for  election as a director  for the first
time at the Annual  Meeting to fill the seat  currently  held by Tim L. Traff.
Mr. Traff is not standing for re-election at the Annual Meeting.

            CLASS I DIRECTORS--NOMINEES FOR TERMS TO EXPIRE IN 2000

JOHN L. DIEDERICH           Mr.      Diederich     was      Executive      Vice
  Age 60                    President--Chairman's  Counsel for Aluminum  Company
  Director since 1993       of  America  ("Alcoa")  from  August  1991  until
                            January 1997.  Prior to assuming that position,  he
  Member of the             had been  Group  Vice  President--Alcoa  Metals  and
  Compensation Committee    Chemicals  since 1986 and a Vice President of Alcoa
                            since 1982. Mr.  Diederich  received a B.S.  degree
                            in engineering  from the resignationsUniversity of Illinois and
                            later  received an M.B.A.  from the  University  of
                            Southern  California  and an M.S.  degree  from the
                            Massachusetts   Institute   of   Technology.    Mr.
                            Diederich is a director of Continental  Mills, Inc.
                            and a trustee of Shadyside Hospital.

NICHOLAS C. MEMMO           Mr.   Memmo   was    appointed    Executive    Vice
  Age 35                    President-Process  Water of the  Company on July 1,
                            1995,  having  previously  served  as  Senior  Vice
                            President    and    General    Manager    of   U.S.
                            Filter/Ionpure  Inc.  since  March 7, 1994.  He had
                            previously  been  Senior  Vice   President-Sales  &
                            Marketing  since  December 8, 1992.  Mr.  Memmo was
                            employed  from  July  1984 to  September  1988 with
                            Hercules  Incorporated  ("Hercules"),  a  New  York
                            Stock  Exchange  specialty  chemical and  aerospace
                            company,  in  sales,   marketing  and  distribution
                            positions.  Mr. Memmo  received  a B.S.  degree  in
                            chemical   engineering   from  Drexel   University.
                            Between  his  employment   with  Hercules  and  the
                            Company,  he  completed  an M.B.A.  program  at the
                            John E.  Anderson  Graduate School of Management at
                            UCLA.


                                       2


C. HOWARD WILKINS, JR.      Mr. Wilkins served as the United States  Ambassador
  Age 59                    to the  Netherlands  from June  1989 to July  1992.
  Director since 1992       Prior  to  being  Ambassador  and  thereafter,  Mr.
                            Wilkins has been  Chairman of the Board of Maverick
  Member of the             Restaurant  Corporation,  which  owns and  operates
  Compensation Committee    restaurants   under   franchise   agreements,   and
                            Maverick  Development  Corporation.   He  was  Vice
                            Chairman of Pizza Hut, Inc.  until 1975.  From 1981
                            to 1983 Mr.  Wilkins  served as a director  of U.S.
                            Synthetic Fuels Corporation.

                CLASS II DIRECTORS--PRESENT TERM EXPIRES IN 1998

J. Atwood IvesDANFORTH QUAYLE          Mr. Quayle was the  forty-fourth  Vice President of
  Age 50                    the United States.  In 1976, Mr. Quayle was elected
  Director since 1996       to  Congress  and  in  1980  to the  United  States
                            Senate,  being re-elected in 1986 and serving until
                            1989.   As   Vice   President,    he   headed   the
                            Competitiveness   and   Space   Councils   for  the
                            President.  Since  leaving  office in January 1993,
                            Mr. James R. BullockQuayle served as Chairman of Circle  Investors,
                            Inc. (a private  financial  services and  insurance
                            holding company),  and BTC, Inc. (a private company
                            through  which he operates  certain of his personal
                            business  interests).  He is a director  of Central
                            Newspapers,  Inc. and American Standard  Companies,
                            Inc.  and is a member of the Board of  Trustees  of
                            The Hudson Institute.

ARTHUR B. LAFFER            Dr.  Laffer has been  Chairman and Chief  Executive
  Age 56                    Officer of A.B.  Laffer,  V.A.  Canto & Associates,
  Director since 1991       an economic  research and  financial  firm (and its
                            predecessor,   A.B.   Laffer   Associates),   since
  Chairman of the Audit     founding the firm in November 1995.

Class III Directors--Nominees for Terms to Expire in 1999 James E. Clark Mr. Clark was President of Western Operations for Prudential Insurance Age 67 from 1978 to June 1990. Since June 1990, he has been a consultant and Director since 1990 a private investor. Mr. Clark is also Chairman of Asian-American Communication Company, Inc. and a director of Asian American Association, Member of the Audit Committee Inc., a joint venture with Sprint, and Durotest Corporation. He is also a and the Compensation trustee of the Yul Brynner Foundation. Committee Richard J. Heckmann Mr. Heckmann was elected Chairman of the Board of Directors, Chief Age 52 Executive Officer and President of the Company on July 16, 1990. Mr. Director since 1990 Heckmann was a Senior Vice President at Prudential-Bache Securities in Rancho Mirage, California from January 1982 to August 1990. He Chairman of the Nominating joined the U.S. Small Business Administration in 1977 and served as Committee Associate Administrator for Finance and Investment from 1978 to 1979. Prior thereto he was founder and Chairman of the Board of Tower Scientific Corporation, a manufacturer of custom prosthetic devices, which was sold to Hexcel Corporation in 1977. Mr. Heckmann is a member of the management board of Treated Water Outsourcing ("TWO"), a Nalco/U.S. Filter Joint Venture.1979. He is also Chairman of Committee Calport Asset Management, Inc., a money management firm. Dr. Laffer has been Chief Executive Officer of Laffer Advisors, Inc., a registered broker-dealer and investment advisor, since 1981. He was the Charles B. Thornton Professor of Business Economics at the University of Southern California from 1976 through 1984, Distinguished University Professor at Pepperdine University from October 1984 to September 1987, and was a member of President Reagan's economic policy advisory board. He is a director of Coinmach Laundry Corporation, Mastec, Inc., Nicholas Applegate Mutual and Growth Equity Funds and Casmyn Inc. ALFRED E. OSBORNE, JR. Dr. Osborne is Director of the Harold Price Center Age 52 for Entrepreneurial Studies and Associate Director since 1991 Professor of Business Economics at the John E. Anderson Graduate School of Management at UCLA. Chairman of the He has been on the UCLA faculty since 1972. He is a Compensation Committee director of Greyhound Lines, Inc., Nordstrom, Inc., and Member of the SEDA Specialty Packaging Corporation and The Times Audit Committee Mirror Company. 3 MICHAEL J. REARDON Mr. Reardon was appointed Executive Vice President Age 43 of the Company in June 1995, having previously Director since 1990 served as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, and prior to that as the Chief Member of the Financial Officer and Secretary of the Company. Nominating Committee From May 1995 to April 1996, Mr. Reardon served as President of Arrowhead Industrial Water, Inc., a subsidiary of the Company. He became President and General Manager of Illinois Water Treatment, Inc., a subsidiary of the Company, in March 1992. From 1981 to July 1990 he was Chief Financial Officer of The C&C Organization, a company engaged in restaurant ownership, management and construction. Mr. Reardon is a certified public accountant and was a senior auditor with Arthur Andersen & Co. from 1978 to 1981. Mr. Reardon is a member of the management board of Treated Water Outsourcing ("TWO"), a Nalco/U.S. Filter joint venture. CLASS III DIRECTORS--PRESENT TERM EXPIRES IN 1999 JAMES E. CLARK Mr. Clark was President of Western Operations for Age 68 Prudential Insurance from 1978 to June 1990. Director since 1990 Since June 1990, he has been a consultant and a private investor. Mr. Clark is also Chairman of Member of the Audit Asian-American Communication Company, Inc., and a Committee and the director of Asian American Association, Inc., a Compensation Committee joint venture with Sprint, and Durotest Corporation. He is also a trustee of the Yul Brynner Foundation. RICHARD J. HECKMANN Mr. Heckmann was elected Chairman of the Board of Age 53 Directors, Chief Executive Officer and President Director and Chairman of the Company on July 16, 1990. Mr. Heckmann was since 1990 a Senior Vice President at Prudential-Bache Securities in Rancho Mirage, California from Chairman of the January 1982 to August 1990. He joined the U.S. Nominating Committee Small Business Administration in 1977 and served as Associate Administrator for Finance and Investment from 1978 to 1979. Prior thereto he was founder and Chairman of the Board of Tower Scientific Corporation, a manufacturer of custom prosthetic devices, which was sold to Hexcel Corporation in 1977. Mr. Heckmann is a member of the management board of TWO. He is also a director of USA Waste Services, Inc.
-2- Robert S. Hillas Mr. Robert S. Hillas was graduated from Dartmouth University in 1970 Age 47 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mathematics, summa cum laude, and Director since 1996 was graduated from Stanford University with a Masters of Business Administration degree in 1972. Mr. Hillas has served as a Managing Director of E.M. Warburg, Pincus & Co., Inc., a private investment firm, since 1993. Previously, Mr. Hillas was a partner of DSV Management Ltd., a venture capital investment firm, and its affiliated venture capital partnerships. Mr. Hillas is currently a director of Advanced Technology Materials, Inc., Continental Recycling, Inc., EarthGro, Inc., HealthVISION, Inc., and Transition Systems, Inc. Mr. Hillas was previously associated with Warburg, Pincus from 1972 until he joined DSV Management Ltd. in 1981.
Class I Directors--Present Term Expires in 1997 John L. Diederich Mr. Diederich has been Executive Vice President--Chairman's Counsel Age 59 for Aluminum Company of America ("Alcoa") since August 1991. Director since 1993 Prior to assuming his present position, he had been Group Vice President--Alcoa Metals and Chemicals since 1986 and a Vice Member of the Compensation President of Alcoa since 1982. Mr. Diederich is a trustee of Shadyside Committee Hospital and a director of Alcoa Foundation. Tim L. Traff Mr. Traff was first appointed a Senior Vice President of the Company Age 37 on December 8, 1992, having previously been Vice Director since 1990 President--Corporate Development since March 1992. He had been President of Traff Capital Management, a money management Member of the Nominating company, since 1989. From 1985 to 1988 he was an analyst at SIT Committee Investment, a money management company. Mr. Traff received a B.S. degree in business economics from the University of Minnesota. C. Howard Wilkins, Jr. Mr. Wilkins served as the United States Ambassador to the Netherlands Age 58 from June 1989 to July 10, 1992. Prior to being Ambassador and Director since 1992 thereafter, Mr. Wilkins has been Chairman of the Board of Maverick Restaurant Corp., which owns and operates restaurants under franchise Member of the Compensation agreements, and Maverick Development Corp. He was Vice Chairman Committee of Pizza Hut, Inc. until 1975. From 1981 to 1983 Mr. Wilkins served as a director of U.S. Synthetic Fuels Corporation. Mr. Wilkins received a B.A. degree from Yale University in 1960.
-3-
Class II Directors--Present Term Expires in 1998 J. Danforth Quayle Mr. Quayle was the forty-fourth Vice President of the United States. Age 49 He was graduated from DePaul University in 1969 with a B.A. degree Director since 1996 in political science and from Indiana University in 1974 with a law degree. In 1976, Mr. Quayle was elected to Congress and in 1980 to the United States Senate, being reelected in 1986 and serving until 1989. As Vice President, he headed the Competitiveness and Space Councils for the President. Since leaving office in January 1993, Mr. Quayle served as Chairman of Circle Investors, Inc. (a private financial services and insurance holding company), and BTC, Inc. (a private company through which he operates certain of his personal business interests). He is a director of Amtran, Inc., Central Newspapers, Inc. and American Standard Companies, Inc. and is a member of the Board of Trustees of The Hudson Institute. Arthur B. Laffer Dr. Laffer has been Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of A.B. Age 55 Laffer, V.A. Canto & Associates, an economic research and financial Director since 1991 firm (and its predecessor, A.B. Laffer Associates), since founding the firm in 1979. He is also Chairman of Calport Asset Management, Inc., Chairman of the Audit Committee a money management firm. Dr. Laffer has been Chief Executive Officer of Laffer Advisors, Inc., a registered broker-dealer and investment advisor, since 1981. He was the Charles B. Thornton Professor of Business Economics at the University of Southern California from 1976 through 1984, Distinguished University Professor at Pepperdine University from October 1984 to September 1987, and was a member of President Reagan's economic policy advisory board. Dr. Laffer received a B.A. degree in economics from Yale University and later received an M.B.A. degree and a Ph.D. in economics from Stanford University. He is a director of Mastec, Inc., Nicholas Applegate Mutual and Growth Equity Funds and Value Vision, Inc. Alfred E. Osborne, Jr. Dr. Osborne is Director of the Harold Price Center for Entrepreneurial Age 51 Studies and Associate Professor of Business Economics at the John E. Director since 1991 Anderson Graduate School of Management at UCLA. He has been on the UCLA faculty since 1972. Dr. Osborne was educated at Stanford Member of the Audit Committee University, where he earned a B.S. degree in electrical engineering, an M.B.A. in finance, a master's degree in economics and a Ph.D. in business-economics. He is a director of Greyhound Lines, Inc., Nordstrom, Inc., ReadiCare, Inc., SEDA Specialty Packaging Corporation and The Times Mirror Company.
-4-
Michael J. Reardon Mr. Reardon was appointed Executive Vice President of the Company Age 42 in June of 1995, having previously served as Executive Vice President Director since 1990 and Chief Operating Officer, and prior to that as the Chief Financial Officer and Secretary of the Company. From May 1995 to April 1996, Member of the Nominating Mr. Reardon served as president of Arrowhead Industrial Water, Inc. Committee He became President and General Manager of Illinois Water Treatment, Inc., a subsidiary of the Company, in March 1992. From 1981 to July 1990 he was Chief Financial Officer of The C&C Organization, a company engaged in restaurant ownership, management and construction. Mr. Reardon is a certified public accountant and was a senior auditor with Arthur Anderson & Co. from 1978 to 1981. Mr. Reardon is a member of the management board of TWO. In June 1978, Mr. Reardon received a B.S. in Business Administration from California State Polytechnic University, and in 1995 attended the Kellog Management Institute, Northwestern University.
Meetings and CommitteesK2, Inc. ROBERT S. HILLAS Mr. Hillas has served as a Managing Director of the Board.Age 48 E.M. Warburg, Pincus & Co., LLC, or its predecessor, Director since 1996 since 1993. Previously, Mr. Hillas was a partner of DSV Management Ltd., a venture capital investment firm, and its affiliated venture capital partnerships. Mr. Hillas is currently a director of Advanced Technology Materials, Inc., Transition Systems, Inc., Envirogen, Inc. and several privately-held companies. Mr. Hillas was previously associated with Warburg, Pincus from 1972 until he joined DSV Management Ltd. in 1981. MEETINGS AND COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD. During the fiscal year ended March 31, 19961997 ("Fiscal 1996"1997"), the Board of Directors met on six occasions and also took action three times by written consent and once by telephonic conference call.occasions. The Board has three standing committees, the Audit, Compensation and Nominating Committees. Each director attended all meetings of the Board and applicablecommittees of the Board Committee meetings.of which he was a member during Fiscal 1997. The Audit Committee reviews the performance of the Company's independent public accountants and makes recommendations to the Board concerning the selection of independent public accountants to audit the Company's financial statements. The Audit Committee also reviews the audit plans, audit results and findings of the internal 4 auditors and the independent accountants, and reviews the Company's systems of internal control. Members of the Audit Committee meet regularly with the Company's management and independent public accountants to discuss the adequacy of internal accounting controls and the financial accounting process. The Company's independent accountants have free access to the Audit Committee, without management's presence. The Audit Committee held one meeting in Fiscal 1996.1997. The Compensation Committee reviews and determines the compensation of the Company's officers (including salary and bonus), authorizes or approves any contract for remuneration to be paid after termination of any officer's regular employment and performs specified functions under the Company's various compensation plans, including the 1991 Employee Stock Option Plan and the 1991 Directors Stock Option Plan.Plan (the "Directors Plan"). The Compensation Committee reviews, but is not required to approve, the participation of officers in the Company's other benefit programs for salaried employees. The Compensation Committee held threetwo meetings and took action by written consent on seventwo occasions in Fiscal 1996.1997. The Nominating Committee reviews the performance of incumbent directors and the qualifications of nominees proposed for election to the Board and makes recommendations to the Board with respect to nominations for director. In recommending candidates for the Board of Directors, the Nominating Committee will seek individuals having experience in fields applicable to the Company's goals and functions. Stockholders who wish to suggest qualified candidates should write to the Secretary of the Company, stating the qualifications of such persons for consideration by the Nominating Committee. The Nominating Committee held two meetingsone meeting in Fiscal 1996. Compensation of Directors.1997. COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS. Directors receive no cash compensation for their services as directors, although they are reimbursed for out-of-pocket expenses incurred in attending meetings. Each director who is not an employee of the Company participates in the Company's 1991 Directors Stock OptionPlan. The Directors Plan other than Mr. Hillas, who has chosen not to participate. That plan was amended and restated in February 1996 to provideprovides that directors of the Company who are neither officers nor employees of the Company or its subsidiaries are granted in April of each year options to purchase 12,000 shares of the Company's Common Stock at fair market value, as determined on the date of the grant. This change was unanimously adopted by the Board in order to more closely align the directors interests with those of the Company's stockholders. See "Proposal to Approve the 1991 Directors Stock Option Plan, As Amended and Restated." -5- Prior to the amendment and restatement, the 1991 Directors Stock Option Plan provided that non-employee directors of the Company were to be granted in April of each yearDuring Fiscal 1997, options to purchase 8,000 shares of the Company's Common Stock at an exercise price equal to the higher of (i) $2.00 less than the fair market value of the Common Stock or (ii) 60% of that fair market value, in both instances determined on the date of grant. During Fiscal 1996, options to purchase 12,00018,000 shares of Common Stock (as adjusted to reflect the Company's 3-for-2 stock split effective July 15, 1996) were granted under this planthe Directors Plan to each of the Company's non-employee directors on April 3, 19951, 1996, except Mr. Hillas, at an exercise price of $14.2325$18.6666 per share reflecting an adjustment based on(as adjusted to reflect the three-for-two split of the Company's Common Stock paid in December 1994. In addition, Mr. Quayle was granted an option to purchase 6,000 shares of Common Stock upon his initial election to the Board of Directors in February 1996, in accordance with the terms of the plan, as amended and restated.3-for-2 stock split). 5 SECURITY OWNERSHIP Management The following table sets forth the beneficial ownership of the Company's Common Stock as of June 5, 199623, 1997 by each director, nominee for director and the executive officers named in the Summary Compensation Table, and by all directors and executive officers as a group. Unless otherwise indicated, the holders of all shares shown in the table have sole voting and investment power with respect to such shares.
Options Percent of Name Options Held(1) Shares Owned Percent of Class(2) - ---- --------------- ------------ ------------------------------------------------------ ------------- -------------- ----------- Richard J. Heckmann(3) 259,800 463,772 2.5%Heckmann................ 461,649 689,057(3) 1.4% Michael J. Reardon(4) 109,380 24,924Reardon................. 196,881 37,386(4) * Tim L. Traff 48,750 110,347Traff....................... 14,620 208,279 * Nicholas C. Memmo(5) 51,250 12Memmo.................. 109,749 2,518(5) * Thierry Reyners 22,500 0Harry K. Hornish, Jr............... 42,111 30,200 * Kevin L. Spence 52,500 0Spence.................... 95,749 10,000 * James E. Clark 48,000 36,000Clark..................... 66,000 72,000 * John L. Diederich 42,000 1,500Diederich.................. 66,000 11,250 * Robert S. Hillas(6) 0 1,813,079 6.2Hillas................... 12,000(6) 2,719,618(7) 3.4% Arthur B. Laffer 48,000 23,250Laffer................... 66,000 52,875(8) * Alfred E. Osborne, Jr. 48,000 24,350Jr.............. 66,000 63,025(9) * J. Danforth Quayle 18,000Quayle................. 39,000 0 * C. Howard Wilkins, Jr. 48,000 51,000Jr.............. 66,000 76,500 * All Directors and Executive 878,180 2,582,574 11.5 Officers as a Group (18 persons).. 1,319,759 3,972,708 6.5% - ----------------------------- 1 Includes presently exercisable options and options exercisable within 60 days of June 20, 1997. All options, except for those held by Mr. Hornish, were granted pursuant to the Company's 1991 Employee Stock Option Plan or the Company's 1991 Directors Stock Option Plan. Mr. Hornish's options were issued in connection with the acquisition of The Utility Supply Group, Inc. ("USG") in exchange for outstanding options to purchase shares of Common Stock of USG. 2 An asterisk (*) indicates ownership of less than 1% of the Common Stock. 3 Includes 19,249 shares held by Mr. Heckmann's wife and by Mr. Heckmann as custodian for his children as to which Mr. Heckmann may be deemed to have indirect beneficial ownership. 4 Includes 2,700 shares held in a trust for the benefit of Mr. Reardon's father-in-law. As the trustee, Mr. Reardon has voting and investment power with respect to the shares held by the trust and may be deemed to have indirect beneficial ownership of them. Mr. Reardon disclaims beneficial ownership of such shares. 5 Includes 18 shares held by Mr. Memmo's wife as custodian for his minor children. 6 Beneficial ownership of such options is held by E.M. Warburg, Pincus & Co., LLC, pursuant to an agreement with Mr. Hillas dated April 10, 1997. 7 Constitutes shares owned by Warburg, Pincus Capital Company, L.P. ("Warburg"). The sole general partner of Warburg is Warburg, Pincus & Co., a New York general partnership ("WP"). E.M. Warburg, Pincus & Co., LLC ("EMW") manages Warburg. WP owns all of the outstanding stock of EMW and, as the sole general partner of Warburg, has a 20% interest in the profits of Warburg. Lionel I. Pincus is the managing partner of WP and may be deemed to control it. Mr. Hillas, a director of the Company, is a Managing Director of EMW and a general partner of WP. As such, Mr. Hillas may be deemed to have an indirect pecuniary interest in an indeterminate portion of the shares beneficially owned by Warburg. All of the shares indicated as owned by Mr. Hillas are owned directly by Warburg and are included herein because of Mr. Hillas' affiliation with Warburg. Mr. Hillas disclaims "beneficial ownership" of these shares within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"). 8 Includes 48,000 shares held by A.B. Laffer, V.A. Canto & Associates, a company controlled by Mr. Laffer and 4,875 held by Mr. Laffer. 6 9 Includes 8,500 shares held by Mr. Osborne's wife.
(1) Includes presently exercisable options and options exercisable within 60 days of June 5, 1996. All options were granted pursuant to the Company's 1991 Employee Stock Option Plan or the Company's 1991 Directors Stock Option Plan. (2) An asterisk (*) indicates ownership of less than 1% of the Common Stock. (3) Includes 12,700 shares held by Mr. Heckmann's wife and by Mr. Heckmann as custodian for his children as to which Mr. Heckmann may deemed to have indirect beneficial ownership. (4) Includes 1,800 shares held in a trust for the benefit of Mr. Reardon's father-in-law. As trustee, Mr. Reardon has voting and investment power with respect to the shares held by the trust and may be deemed to have indirect beneficial ownership of them. Mr. Reardon disclaims beneficial ownership of such shares. (5) Constitutes 12 shares held by Mr. Memmo's wife as custodian for his minor children. -6- (6) Constitutes 1,813,079 shares held by Warburg, Pincus Capital Company, L.P. of which Mr. Hillas is a General Partner. Mr. Hillas disclaims beneficial ownership of such shares. Other Beneficial Owners Warburg, Pincus Capital Company, L.P.OTHER BENEFICIAL OWNERS Putnam Investments, Inc., 466 Lexington Avenue, New York, New York 10017,One Post Office Square, Boston, Massachusetts, 02109, a parent holding company, reported to the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"("SEC") that it and its affiliates (including Warburg, Pincus & Co., E.M. Warburg, Pincus & Co., Inc. and Warburg, Pincus Ventures, Inc.) beneficially owned 1,813,0795,314,613 shares, or approximately 6.2%7.6% of the Company's Common Stock as of June 5,December 31, 1996. ItPutnam Investments, Inc. reported shared voting power over 250,600 of these shares and shared power to dispose of all of these sharesshares; Putnam Investment Management, Inc. reported shared power to dispose of 4,712,563 of these shares; and The Putnam Advisory Company, Inc. reported shared voting power over all250,600 of the shares. Laidlaw, Inc. ("Laidlaw"), 3221 North Service Road, Burlington, Ontario, Canada L7R 3Y8, a parent holding company, reported to the SEC that Laidlaw One, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary, beneficially owned 2,965,829these shares or approximately 10.2%, of the Company's Common Stock as of June 5, 1996. It reported sole voting power over and soleshared power to dispose of all602,050 of these shares. For the period ending August 31, 2000, and subject to certain exceptions, Laidlaw has agreed to vote all of its shares for the Board of Directors' nominees for election to the Board and on all other matters in the same proportion as the votes cast by other holders of voting securities. In November 1995 Laidlaw One, Inc. issued in a public offering 5 3/4% Exchangeable Notes due 2000 which, pursuant to their terms, may be repaid at maturity in cash or by delivery, in lieu of cash, of the shares of the Company's Common Stock owned by Laidlaw. The TCW Group, Inc.Pilgrim Baxter & Associates, Ltd., 865 South Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, California 90017, a parent holding company,1255 Drummers Lane, Suite 300, Wayne, Pennsylvania 19087, an investment advisor, reported to the SEC that it beneficially owned 1,672,6003,692,250 shares, or approximately 5.4%,5.3 % of the Company's Common Stock which it has the right to acquire upon conversionas of its holdings of the Company's 5% Convertible Subordinated Debentures due 2000 and 6% Convertible Subordinated Notes due 2005.December 31, 1996. It reported soleshared voting power over and sole power to dispose of all of these shares. Compliance With Reporting RequirementsSECTION 16(A) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE Under the securities laws of the United States, the Company's directors, its executive officers and any persons beneficially holding more than ten percent of the Company's Common Stock are required to report their ownership of the Company's Common Stock and any changes in that ownership to the SEC and the NYSE. Specific due dates for these reports have been established and the Company is required to report in this proxy statement any failure to file by these dates. All of these filing requirements were satisfied, except that Messrs. Osborne and Memmo each reported one option exercise on the Form 5'snext form otherwise required to be filed for eachunder Section 16(a), instead of on a current report on Form 4 as now required by the Company's executive officers and directors, other than Messrs. Heckmann and Hillas, with respect to Fiscal 1996 were filed after the specified due date. Each of these reports related to a single stock option grant, except that the reports filed by Messrs. Clark, Laffer, Osborne and Wilkins also related to a stock option exercise.SEC's rules. In making these statements, the Company has relied on copies of the reports that its officers and directors have filed with the SEC. -7-7 EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION Summary Compensation TableSUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE The following table sets forth compensation information for the three fiscal years ended March 31, 19961997 for the Company's Chief Executive Officer and for the four other most highly compensated executive officers of the Company for Fiscal 19961997 (the "Named Executive Officers").
Long-Term Annual Compensation Compensation ------------------------------- ------------------------------------------- --------------- Other Securities Name and Principal Fiscal Other Annual Underlying All Other Name and Principal Position Year Salary Bonus Compensation Options(1) Compensation (2)Compensation(2) - --------------------------- ---- ------- ------- ---------------------------------- -------- --------- -------- ------------- ----------------------------- -------------- Richard J. HeckmannHeckmann...... 1997 450,000 300,000 -- 187,499 3,320 Chairman of the Board, 1996 414,731 150,000 -- 150,000 -- Chairman, Chief Executive Officer 1995 300,000 150,000 -- 60,000 5,551 Officer andAnd President 1994 300,000 150,000 -- 60,000 4,432 Michael J. ReardonReardon....... 1997 197,504 20,000 -- 15,000 4,712 Executive Vice 1996 184,631 -- -- 15,000 4,714 Executive Vice President 1995 150,000 25,000 -- 15,000 3,983 1994 125,000 30,000Harry K. Hornish, Jr.(3).. 1997 115,575 100,000 -- 22,500 1,252 Thierry Reyners--(4) 3,538 Executive Vice 1996 190,000 -- -- -- -- -- President-- 1995 -- -- -- -- -- Distribution Group Nicholas C. Memmo........ 1997 199,154 37,500 -- 15,000 --4,923 Executive Vice President-- 1995 167,236 -- -- 15,000 -- European Group 1994 44,017(3) -- -- 15,000 -- Nicholas C. Memmo 1996 191,585189,042 37,500 -- 17,500 5,014 Executive Vice President--President--Process 1995 135,000 20,000 -- 22,500 4,389 Process Water Group 1994 122,538 20,000 -- 22,500 2,918 Kevin L. SpenceSpence.......... 1997 180,001 65,000 -- 15,000 6,209 Vice President and 1996 164,774 41,500 -- 15,000 4,865 Vice President and Chief Financial 1995 145,000 20,000 -- 15,000 4,453 Financial Officer 1994 110,000 20,000 -- 15,000 4,421 - -------------------------------------- 1 Options granted pursuant to the Company's 1991 Employee Stock Option Plan to purchase shares of Common Stock. Option grants during Fiscal 1997 are described in greater detail below. 2 Represents the Company's 50% matching contribution to the Company's 401(k) Plan. 3 In connection with the acquisition of USG, Mr. Hornish became an employee of the Company on October 25, 1996 pursuant to an employment agreement with USG discussed herein. 4 Mr. Hornish received options to purchase 67,111 shares of Common Stock in exchange for outstanding options to purchase shares of Common Stock of USG in connection with the acquisition of USG by the Company.
(1) Options granted pursuant to the Company's 1991 Employee Stock Option Plan to purchase shares of Common Stock. Option grants during Fiscal 1996 are described in greater detail below. (2) Represents the Company's 50% matching contribution to the Company's 401(k) Plan. (3) For the period after first becoming employed by the Company. -8-8 Option Grants in Last Fiscal YearOPTION GRANTS IN LAST FISCAL YEAR The table below sets forth information with respect to stock options granted to the Named Executive Officers in Fiscal 19961997 under the Company's 1991 Employee Stock Option Plan. The options listed below are included in the Summary Compensation Table above.
% of Total Number of Options Securities Granted to Potential Realizable Value at Underlying Employees Exercise Assumed Rates of Stock Options in Fiscal ExercisePrice Expiration Price Appreciation for Name Granted(1) Year Price ($/Sh) Date for Option Term(2) - -------------------------------------- ---------- ------------- ----------- ------------ ---------- -------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ 5% 10% --------------- -------------- 5% 10% ------------ ------------ Richard J. Heckmann 150,000 23.0% $15.06Heckmann............... 75,000 9.9% $19.5000 07/15/2006 $ 919,758 $ 2,330,848 112,499 14.9% 18.6666 04/25/05 $ 1,420,673 $ 3,600,26401/2006 1,320,662 3,346,817 Michael J. ReardonReardon................ 15,000 2.3 20.75 11/16/05 195,743 496,052 Thierry Reyners 15,000 2.3 20.75 11/16/05 195,743 496,0521.98% 19.5000 07/15/2006 183,952 466,170 Harry K.Hornish, Jr.... --(3) -- -- -- -- -- Hornish, Jr............ Nicholas C. Memmo 17,500 2.7 20.75 11/16/05 228,367 578,728Memmo...... 15,000 1.98% 19.5000 07/15/2006 183,952 466,170 Kevin L. SpenceSpence........ 15,000 2.3 20.75 11/16/05 195,743 496,052 - -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------1.98% 19.5000 07/15/2006 183,952 466,170 Increase in Value to All Stockholders (3) $317,221,839 $803,902,423Stockholders(4)... $739,780,070 $1,874,747,943 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 Options granted pursuant to the Company's 1991 Employee Stock Option Plan to purchase shares of Common Stock, except with respect to Mr. Hornish, who acquired his options in connection with the acquisition of USG in exchange for outstanding options to purchase shares of Common Stock of USG. The exercise price may be paid in cash or in shares of the Company's Common Stock. Of the options granted to Messrs. Reardon, Memmo and Spence and 75,000 of the options granted to Mr. Heckmann, 25% are vested and the remaining options will vest in equal increments on July 15, 1997, 1998 and 1999. Of the remaining 112,499 options granted to Mr. Heckmann, 50% are vested and the remaining options will vest on April 1, 1998 and 1999. All options issued to Mr. Hornish are vested. 2 Calculated over a ten-year period representing the life of the options. 3 Stock options in respect of 67,111 shares of Common Stock, with an exercise price of $3.31 per share and an expiration date of May 31, 2004, were received by Mr. Hornish on October 25, 1996, in connection with the Company's acquisition of USG, in substitution for stock options to acquire Common Stock of USG held by Mr. Hornish on such date. Such exercise price was fixed in order to ensure that the substitute Company option was the economic equivalent of the USG option it replaced. 4 Represents the increase in value to all stockholders assuming the Company's Common Stock appreciates 5% or 10% in value per year, compounded over a ten-year period, equivalent to the life of the options granted to the Named Executive Officers. Calculated using a Common Stock price of $19.500, the closing price on July 15, 1996, on the NYSE, which is the exercise price of substantially all of the options granted in Fiscal 1997, and the total weighted average number of 60,324,000 shares of Common Stock outstanding in Fiscal 1997.
(1) Options granted pursuant to the Company's 1991 Employee Stock Option Plan to purchase shares of Common Stock. The exercise price may be paid in cash or in shares of the Company's Common Stock. Of the options granted to Messrs. Reardon, Reyners, Memmo and Spence, 25% are vested and the remaining options will vest in equal increments on November 17, 1996,9 OPTION EXERCISES IN FISCAL 1997 and 1998. Of the options granted to Mr. Heckmann, 50% are vested and the remaining options will vest in equal increments on April 3, 1997 and 1998. (2) Calculated over a ten-year period representing the life of the options. (3) Represents the increase in value to all stockholders assuming the stock gains 5% or 10% in value per year, compounded over a ten-year period, equivalent to the life of the options granted to the Named Executive Officers. Calculated using a Common Stock price of $20.75, the closing price on November 17, 1995 on the NYSE, which is the exercise price of substantially all of the options granted in Fiscal 1996, and the total weighted average number of shares of Common Stock outstanding in Fiscal 1996. Option Exercises in Fiscal 1996 and Fiscal Year End Option ValueAND FISCAL YEAR END OPTION VALUE The table below sets forth information with respect to stock options exercised by the named Executive Officers in Fiscal 19961997 and the number of unexercised options held by such persons on March 31, 19961997 on a pre-tax basis:
Number of Securities Shares Underlying Value of Unexercised Shares Acquired On Underlying Unexercised In-the-Money Options atOn Exercise ofValue Options at 3/31/9697 at 3/31/9697 of Options(1) Value Realized Exercisable/Unexercisable Exercisable/Unexercisable(2) --------------------- -------------- ------------------------- ----------------------------------------- --------------------------- ----------------------------- Richard J. Heckmann 32,700 $713,500 222,300/157,500 $3,498,483/2,110,466Heckmann.... 145,550 $4,244,943 336,025/275,622 $6,716,177/4,516,442 Michael J. ReardonReardon..... -- -- 187,507/ 28,123 4,435,954/ 445,351 Harry K. Hornish, Jr... 25,000 744,187 42,111/ 0 1,160,790/ 0 105,630/28,125 1,963,992/297,342 Thierry Reyners 0 0 18,750/26,250 263,124/272,498 Nicholas C. Memmo 18,750 257,343 46,875/34,375 643,594/372,497Memmo...... 6,500 113,944 97,562/ 32,813 1,994,475/ 540,201 Kevin L. Spence 0 0 48,750/26,250 706,250/272,498Spence........ 13,000 85,625 86,375/ 28,123 1,773,474/ 445,351 - -------------------------------------------------- 1 Options granted pursuant to the Company's 1991 Employee Stock Option Plan to purchase shares of Common Stock, except with respect to Mr. Hornish, who acquired his options in connection with the acquisition of USG in exchange for outstanding options to purchase shares of Common Stock of USG. 2 The dollar value reported is based on the difference between the exercise price of the outstanding option and the closing price of the Company's Common Stock on the NYSE on March 31, 1997, $30.875 per share. The closing price of the Company's Common Stock on June 23, 1997 on the NYSE was $28.375 per share.
(1) Options granted pursuant to the Company's 1991 Employee Stock Option Plan to purchase shares of Common Stock. -9- (2) The dollar value reported is based on the difference between the exercise price of the outstanding option and the closing price of the Company's Common Stock on the NYSE on March 29, 1996, $28.00 per share. The closing price of the Company's Common Stock on June 5, 1996 on the NYSE was $ 34 1/4 per share. Retirement ProgramRETIREMENT PROGRAM Effective April 1, 1995, the Company established a non-qualified defined benefit pension plan for its senior executives, including Messrs. Heckmann, Reardon, Memmo and Spence. Under this plan (the "Retirement Program"), the executive becomes entitled to receive from the Company at age 60 an annual retirement income, payable for 15 years equal to 50% of the executive's final five year average compensation. Earnings covered by the Retirement Program include salaries and incentive compensation. Benefits accrue on a percentage basis over the number of years of service of the executive from his date of hire with the Company to the attainment of age 60. The benefit accrued vests commencing after five years of service, 50% at that time, and 10% each year thereafter. A reduced benefit is payable at age 55 and if the executive's employment with the Company terminates before age 55, a deferred benefit, to the extent vested, is payable at or after age 55 based upon the executive's accrued benefit prior to termination. The following are the benefits payable per year for 15 years under the Retirement Program for Messrs. Heckmann, Reardon, Memmo and Spence, assuming that their covered compensation increases at a rate of 5% annually and that their employment with the Company continues until age 60: Mr. Heckmann $379,298;$502,536; Mr. Reardon $201,993;$212,830; Mr. Memmo $370,290$322,510; and Mr. Spence $261,242.$233,743. All benefits under the Retirement Program are payable out of the general assets of the Company. Any fund vehiclefunding established by the Company to provide a source for the payment of PlanRetirement Program benefits would remain subject to the general creditors of the Company. Employment and Executive Retention AgreementsEMPLOYMENT AND EXECUTIVE RETENTION AGREEMENTS The Company has entered into Executive Retention Agreements with each of the Named Executive Officers, other than Mr. Reyners.Hornish. Each of those agreements (the "Retention Agreements") is identical, except as to the severance multiple below described.described below. The Retention Agreements provide for the employment of the Named Executive Officers in their respective positions with the Company or as otherwise determined, provided the duties to be performed are those of a senior executive or manager of the Company. The Retention Agreements provide that under certain conditions, including if the executive's employment is terminated without cause, the executive has the right to receive from the Company an amount equal to, in the case of Messrs. Memmo and Spence, one times such individuals' annual salary, in the case 10 of Mr. Heckmann, approximately three times his annual salary and, in the case of Mr. Reardon, two times his annual salary. Following a Change-In-Control of the Company, the Retention Agreements provide for certain benefits if, within one year of the Change-In-Control, the executive's employment is terminated without cause, or if certain other conditions of the executive's employment are altered. In any such event, the Named Executive Officers, other than Mr. Hornish, have the right to receive the same multiple of their annual salary above described, but including their latest incentive award or target incentive, if greater, and the Company is also obligated to maintain for one year for the executive the welfare and retirement plans available to the executive or to provide an equivalent. Under the Retention Agreements, and subject to the language thereof,in general, a Change-In-Control of the Company is defined to occur if (i) any person or group acquires 50% or more of the Company's voting securities, (ii) during any two year period there is a change in a majority of the Board of Directors of the Company, (iii) there is a consolidation or merger of the Company or if there is a transfer of substantially all of the Company's assets or (iv) a plan of complete liquidation of the Company is approved by the stockholders. Mr. Reyners hasHornish entered into a separate employment agreement with USG (the "Employment Agreement"), which provides for a severancethe payment of $250,000 in base salary per year for the event his employment is terminated, other than for cause, equal to his annual base compensation. Mr. Reyners employment agreementperiod beginning October 25, 1996 and ending March 31, 1999. The Employment Agreement also provides for cash performance bonuses. For the period beginning October 25, 1996 and ending December 31, 1996, the Employment Agreement provided for a maximum bonus of $100,000 if USG attained the objectives upon which Mr. Hornish's bonus had been based in his former employment agreement with USG. For the period beginning January 1, 1997 and ending March 31, 1998 and the period beginning April 1, 1998 and ending March 31, 1999, the Employment Agreement provides for maximum bonuses of $125,000 and $100,000, respectively, as well as additional annual reviewbonuses of and discretionary increasesup to 35% of Mr. Reyners'Hornish's base salary, forsalary. Pursuant to the opportunityEmployment Agreement, such bonuses shall be awarded if specified performance objectives are met. Mr. Hornish is eligible to participate in the Company's 1991 Employee Stock Option Plan. CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS The Company, incentive bonus plans (although he does not participatethrough a wholly-owned subsidiary, paid to Larson Companies $123,164 during the fiscal year ended March 31, 1997, in anyconnection with certain vehicle leases. Larson Companies is owned by W.D. Larson, the father-in-law of Tim L. Traff, a current director of the Company. Mr. Traff received no direct benefit from such plan at this time), for the provision of lifearrangement and medical insurance benefits and for the use of a Company- owned automobile. Mr. Reyners participates in a French statutory retirement program. The aggregate cost of this retirement program and certain tuition reimbursements for Mr. Reyners' children is limited to approximately 8% of his base salary. Report of Compensation Committeesuch arrangement was based on Executive Compensation -10- arms-length transactions. REPORT OF COMPENSATION COMMITTEE ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION The Compensation Committee is composed entirely of independent outside directors and is responsible for determining the compensation of the executive officers of the Company, presently comprising the Named Executive Officers and sixseven additional individuals. The Compensation Committee also administers the Company's 1991 Employee Stock Option Plan, the Retirement Program and, with Mr. Heckmann, the Company's Annual Incentive Compensation Plan. Compensation Policy and Practice.COMPENSATION POLICY AND PRACTICE. The Company's executive compensation policy is intended (i) to link compensation and stockholder value; (ii) to recognize and reward individuals for their contributions and commitment to the growth and profitability of the Company; and (iii) to secure and retain the highest caliber of executives through competitive levels of total compensation. The Compensation Committee believes this policy is generally best accomplished by providing a competitive total compensation package, a significant portion of which is variable and related to established performance goals. The Company has retained an independent consulting firm during fiscal 1996 to review the Company's executive compensation levels and programs and to provide input to the Compensation Committee. Based on this input, as well as other considerations deemed appropriate, the Compensation Committee believes that the compensation provided to the Company's executives is competitive but generally belowwithin the average compensation provided to executives in similar positions at the "peer group" companies identified in "Comparative Stock Performance" below.industry. Section 162(m) of the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the "Code") limits deductibility of compensation in excess of $1$1.0 million paid to a company's chief executive officer and four other highest-paid executive officers unless such compensation qualifies as "performance-based." The Company will not be affected by this limitation for the 19961997 tax year. The Compensation Committee intends to review this issue periodically to determine whether further changes to the Company's compensation policies and practices are advisable in order to preserve deductibility. 11 Compensation of the Company's executive officers consists of the following elements: base salary, cash bonus payments under the Annual Incentive Compensation Plan and stock option awards under the 1991 Employee Stock Option Plans. Each of these elements is discussed below. Base Salary.BASE SALARY. In determining base salary for the Company's executive officers, the Compensation Committee assesses the relative contribution of each executive to the Company, the background and skills of each individual and the particular opportunities and problems which the individual confronts in his position with the Company. These factors are then assessed in the context of competitive market factors, including competitive opportunities with other companies. In making changes in base salary for existing executive officers, other than Mr. Heckmann, the Compensation Committee considers the recommendations of Mr. Heckmann based on his personal evaluation of individual performance for the prior year including attainment of personal objectives and goals, attainment of Company performance goals, the Company's salary structure, competitive salary data and the prior year's national percentage increase in the cost of living. Annual Cash Incentive. In April 1995 the Board of Directors adopted, in place of its former discretionary bonus program,ANNUAL CASH INCENTIVE. Pursuant to an Annual Incentive Compensation Plan, pursuant to which key executive and operational employeesexecutives are eligible to earn incentive casecash bonuses each year based on the Company's performance. For eligible operational executives, the maximum award level is 35% of base salary. For Mr. Heckmann, the maximum award level has been at the discretion of the Compensation Committee. For eligible staff executives, the maximum award level is 25% of base salary. For eligible operational employees,Of the 35% maximum award level for operational executives, up to 8% may be earned if the Company exceeds its profit plan; an additional 8% is 35%earned if the businesses supervised by the executive achieve their profit plan; an additional 10% is earned if the businesses supervised by the executive exceed their profit plan; and an additional 9% may be earned based on a subjective assessment of base salary.the executive's performance. Of the 25% maximum award level for staff executives, 8% is earned if the Company achieves its pre-established profit plan for the fiscal year; up to an additional 8% may be earned if the Company exceeds its profit plan; and an additional 9% may be earned based on a subjective assessment of the executive's performance. Of the 35% maximum award level for operational employees, up to 8% may be earned if the Company exceeds its profit plan; an additional 8% is earned if the unit supervised by the employee achieves its profit plan; an additional 10% is earned if the unit supervised by the employee exceeds its profit plan; and an additional 9% may be earned based on a subjective assessment of the employee's performance. With respect to the subjective portion of the award, the Compensation Committee assesses Mr. Heckmann's performance, and Mr. Heckmann assesses the performance of -11- each of the other executives or employees. The Company exceeded its profit plan for Fiscal 1996.Mr. Hornish's bonus was paid pursuant to his Employment Agreement. Information with respect to the cash bonuses paid to the Named Executive Officers in Fiscal 19961997 is provided in the Summary Compensation Table above. Mr. Reyners does not participate in the bonus program. Stock Options.STOCK OPTIONS. The grant of stock options under the Company's 1991 Employee Stock Option Plan is intended to provide long-term performance-based compensation to officers and key employees of the Company. Options are granted with an exercise price equal to the market price of the Company's Common Stock on the date of grant, generally vest over a period of three years, and expire after ten years. Options only have value to the recipient if the price of the Company's stock appreciates after the options are granted. The Company believes that not less than 10% of the Company's outstanding equity securities should be available for employee stock options and its policy of option grants by the Compensation Committee has reflected and can be expected to continue to reflect this belief. Chief Executive OfficerCHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER In determining Mr. Heckmann's compensation for Fiscal 1996,1997, the Compensation Committee focused upon the policies described above. The increases in Mr. Heckmann's salary and in the number of options granted to him as compared to the fiscal year ended March 31, 1996 ("Fiscal 19951996") reflect the overall performance of the Company for Fiscal 19961997 under Mr. Heckmann's strategic direction, his significant involvement in and responsibility for the overall operations of the Company and his direct involvement in numerous acquisitions made by the Company during the year. For purposes of the Annual Cash Incentive Plan, the Compensation Committee classifies Mr. Heckmann as an operational employee with supervisory responsibilities for the entire Company, making him eligible for a maximum award of 35% of base salary. For Fiscal 1996,1997, Mr. Heckmann received a bonus under the Annual Incentive Compensation Plan equal to 33%67% of his base salary of $450,000 as a combined result of the Company's exceeding its profit plan and the Compensation Committee's assessment of Mr. Heckmann's role in that success. Although Mr. Heckmann's Fiscal 1996 compensation is above the average compensation paid to chief executive officers at the "peer group" companies identified in "Comparative Stock Performance" below, theThe Compensation Committee believes that thisMr. Heckmann's compensation level is warranted by Mr. Heckmann'shis roles in both the strategic and operational aspects of the Company's business, the value he brings to the Company in the identification and realization of acquisition opportunities and the success of the Company both in its business and in the financial markets. 12 Alfred E. Osborne, Jr., Chairman James E. Clark John L. Diederich C. Howard Wilkins, Jr. -12- Comparative Stock PerformanceCOMPARATIVE STOCK PERFORMANCE The chart below sets forth line graphs comparing the performance of the Company's Common Stock as compared with the NYSE Composite Stock Index and an appropriatetwo "peer group" indexindices for the five-year period commencing March 28, 199131, 1992 and ending March 29, 1996.31, 1997. The "peer group"first peer group index consists of the Common Stock of Air & Water Technologies Corporation, Calgon Carbon Corporation, Ionics, Incorporated, Osmonics, Inc. and Wheelabrator Technologies Inc. ("WTI"). The second peer group index is identical to the one used in Fiscal 1996. WTI is included in both indices. The Company acquired WTI's Water Systems and Manufacturing Group on December 2, 1996, and its contract operations and privatization business on April 1, 1997. Accordingly, WTI will not be included in future peer group indices. The indices assume that the value of the investment in United States Filter Corporationthe Company's Common Stock and each index was $100 on March 28, 199131, 1992 and that dividends were reinvested. (PERFORMANCE[PERFORMANCE GRAPH APPEARS HERE)HERE]
3/28/91 3/31/92 3/31/93 3/31/94 3/31/95 3/31/29/96 3/31/97 --------- --------- --------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- ----------------- --------- U.S. Filter Common Stock $ 100.00 $ 263.80 $ 344.83 $ 291.39 $ 320.68 $ 579.28Stock..... $100.00 $130.72 $110.46 $121.56 $219.60 $363.20 NYSE Composite Stock Index 100.00 $ 108.75 $ 121.50 $ 120.34 $ 132.03 $ 168.98Index... $100.00 $111.72 $110.67 $121.41 $155.40 $178.52 Peer Group Index(1) 100.00Index I(1)........ $100.00 $114.31 $102.26 $81.00 $ 109.3297.83 $ 133.4684.99 Peer Group Index II(2)....... $100.00 $120.38 $108.53 $87.40 $106.29 $ 120.51 $ 95.05 $ 115.8992.36 - ------------------------------------ 1 Peer Group Index I includes: Air & Water Technologies Corporation, Calgon Carbon Corporation, Ionics, Incorporated, Osmonics, Inc. and WTI. 2 Peer Group Index II includes: Calgon Carbon Corporation, Ionics, Incorporated, Osmonics, Inc. and WTI.
(1) Peer Group Index includes: Calgon Carbon Corporation, Ionics Incorporated, Osmonics Inc. and Wheelabrator Technologies Inc. -13-13 PROPOSAL TO APPROVE THE 1991 EMPLOYEE STOCK OPTION PLAN, AS AMENDED AND RESTATED Stockholders are being asked to approve the Company's 1991 Employee Stock Option Plan, as amended and restated by the Board of Directors on June 14, 199612, 1997 (the "Amended Employee Plan"). A vote in favor of the Amended Employee Plan will also be a vote in favor of all of the amendments to the 1991 Employee Stock Option Plan, which will, among other things, increase the amount of Common Stock that is authorized to be issued under the plan by 750,0002,500,000 shares, (post-Stock Split).allow optionees to tender in payment of the option exercise price only shares held by the optionee for at least six months, permit the tender of such shares without requiring actual delivery of the certificates for such shares, confirm that "cashless" exercises of options through a broker are permitted and provide for the full vesting of options granted on or after June 12, 1997 in the case of a disabled or retiring optionee whose years of age and continuous service total 65 or more. The Company believes that in order to attract, retain and motivate key employees it is desirable to offer to such employees stock options which provide an incentive tied to the Company's stock price performance. As the Company has grown over the past several years, in part through acquisitions that have involved the issuance of additional shares of Common Stock, the Company has believed it appropriate to increase the number of shares of Common Stock available for employee stock options. Accordingly, the Board of Directors on February 28, 1991 unanimously adopted the 1991 Employee Stock Option Plan under which plan, as thereafter amended by the Board and approved by the stockholders, and adjusted for the three-for-two stock split in July, 1996, a total of 2,587,5004,631,250 shares of Common Stock were reserved for issuance. As of June 5, 1996,4, 1997, of the 2,587,5004,631,250 shares reserved under the 1991 Employee Stock Option Plan, 577,0091,435,806 options had been previously exercised and 1,855,9443,147,541 options remained outstanding. The Company believes that it is desirable to increase the number of shares of Common Stock authorized under the 1991 Employee Stock Option Plan by an additional 750,0002,500,000 shares (post-Stock Split) and, accordingly, on June 14, 1996,12, 1997, the Board of Directors voted to amend the 1991 Employee Stock Option Plan to increase the number of shares authorized for issuance under the plan from 2,587,5004,631,250 shares to 3,337,500 shares (subject to adjustment to reflect the effect of the Stock Split on the number of shares currently reserved under the plan). General Provisions.7,131,250 shares. GENERAL PROVISIONS. The Amended Employee Plan is administered by the Compensation Committee. The Committee selects the officers and other key employees of the Company and its subsidiaries (whether or not members of the Board) to whom options may be granted, determines the size of grants and the terms and conditions of options, and determines the meaning and application of the provisions of the Amended Employee Plan and related option agreements. Members of the Committee are not eligible to receive grants under the Amended Employee Plan. Options granted under the Amended Employee Plan may be either "incentive stock options," that is, options which meet the requirements of Section 422 of the Code, or "nonqualified stock options," that is, options which do not meet such requirements. The aggregate fair market value (determined as of the date of grant) of the stock for which an optionee's incentive stock options will vest in any calendar year may not exceed $100,000. No optionee may be granted options with respect to more than 150,000 shares of Common Stock in one calendar year. No options may be granted under the Amended Employee Plan after February 27, 2001. The exercise price per share for each option granted under the Amended Employee Plan may not be less than the fair market value per share of the Company's Common Stock on the date of grant. For any option recipient who owns more than 10% of the Company's voting stock (a "Ten Percent Owner") at the time of grant, the exercise price must be at least 110% of fair market value. The Compensation Committee will set the terms and vesting schedule of each option, provided, however, that no term may exceed ten years from the date of grant, and the term of an incentive stock option granted to a Ten Percent Owner may not exceed five years. Payment upon exercise of an option may be made in cash or, with the consent of the Compensation Committee, in shares of Common Stock of the Company held by the optionee for at least six months, valued at itstheir then-current fair market value, or by a combination of cash and such shares of Common Stock. If shares of Common Stock are used to pay the exercise price of an option, with the consent of the Compensation Committee, the optionee may utilize an attestation procedure that avoids the need for physical delivery of the certificates for the shares being tendered. "Cashless" exercises are also permitted where an irrevocable option exercise form is delivered together with irrevocable instructions to a broker-dealer to remit to the Company an appropriate portion of the proceeds from the sale or margin of the shares. 14 Generally, options may be exercised only by the individual to whom the option is granted, and are not transferable or assignable, except that in the event of an optionee's death or legal disability, the optionee's heirs or legal representatives may exercise the options for a period not to exceed one year. The Board of Directors may terminate or amend the Amended Employee Plan without the approval of the Company's stockholders, but stockholder approval is required in order to amend the Amended Employee Plan to increase the total number of shares, to change the class of persons eligible to participate in the Amended Employee Plan, to extend the maximum -14- ten-year exercise period or to permit an option exercise price to be fixed at less than 100% of the fair market value as of the date of grant. Termination of Employment.TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT. Unless otherwise determined by the Compensation Committee, options will cease to be exercisable upon termination of the optionee's service to the Company other than upon termination due to death, disability or retirement. OptionsVested options will be exercisable within twelve months of death or disability and within three months of retirement. Change in Control.Options granted on or after June 12, 1997 become fully vested and exercisable if the optionee is disabled or retires and his or her total years of age and continuous service equal or exceed 65. CHANGE IN CONTROL. In the event the Company enters into an agreement to dispose of all or substantially all of the assets or capital stock of the Company by means of a sale, merger, or other transaction, outstanding options will, with the approval of the Compensation Committee and the Board of Directors, and conditioned upon consummation of such agreement, become immediately exercisable during the period beginning with the date of such agreement and ending on the date of disposal of the assets or capital stock. The Amended Employee Plan further provides that, in the event of any merger, consolidation or other reorganization in which the Company is not the surviving or continuing corporation, all outstanding options shall be fully exercisable for a period of 30 days prior to the date of such transaction unless such options are assumed by the continuing or surviving corporation. Unexercised options will terminate upon the effective date of such a transaction, unless they are assumed. Termination and Amendment of Plan.TERMINATION AND AMENDMENT OF PLAN. The Board of Directors may terminate or amend the Amended Employee Plan without the approval of the Company's stockholders, but stockholder approval would be required in order to amend the plan to increase the total number of shares, to change the class of persons eligible to participate in the plan, to extend the maximum ten-year period or to permit an option exercise price to be fixed at less than 100% of the fair market value as of the date of grant. Antidilution Provisions.ANTIDILUTION PROVISIONS. The amount of shares reserved for issuance under the Amended Employee Plan and the terms of outstanding options shall be adjusted by the Compensation Committee in the event of changes in the outstanding Common Stock by reason of stock dividends, stock splits, reverse stock splits, split- ups,split-ups, consolidations, recapitalizations, reorganizations or like events. Benefits Under the Amended Employee Plan.BENEFITS UNDER THE AMENDED EMPLOYEE PLAN. Presently, approximately 280 officers and key employees of the Company and its subsidiaries are eligible to participate in the Amended Employee Plan. However, the identity of future grantees and the size of any additional grants have not been determined. On June 5, 199623, 1997 the closing price of the Common Stock on the NYSE was $ 34 1/4$28.375 per share. Certain Federal Income Tax Consequences.CERTAIN FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES. The following is a brief summary of the principal federal income tax consequences of awards under the Amended Employee Plan based upon current federal income tax laws. The summary is not intended to be exhaustive and, among other things, does not describe state, local or foreign tax consequences. Options designated as incentive stock options are intended to fall within the provisions of Section 422 of the Code. An optionee recognizes no taxable income as the result of the grant or exercise of such an incentive stock option. If the stock acquired upon exercise of an option is held at least until (i) two years following the date of grant of the option and (ii) one year following the date of exercise, then any gain on subsequent sale of the stock will be taxed as a long-term capital gain. In that case, the Company will not be entitled to any deduction for federal income tax purposes. In general, if an optionee sells shares within two years after the date of grant or within one year after the date of exercise, the excess of the fair market value of the shares on the date of exercise over the option exercise price (not to exceed the gain realized on the sale) will be taxable as ordinary income at the time of sale. A gain in excess of that amount will be a long-term or short- termshort-term capital gain, depending on the length of time the stock was held. If the optionee sells the stock for less than the option exercise price, the loss will be a long-term or short-term capital loss and no income will be recognized. The amount of any ordinary income recognized by the optionee upon the disposition of the stock would be deductible by the Company for federal income tax purposes. 15 An optionee generally recognizes no taxable income as the result of the grant of a nonqualified stock option. Upon exercise of such an option, the optionee normally recognizes ordinary income in the amount of the excess of -15- the fair market value of the shares on the date of exercise over the option price. Such ordinary income generally is subject to withholding of income and employment taxes. Upon the sale of stock acquired byupon the exercise of a nonqualified stock option, any gain or loss, based on the difference between the sale price and the fair market value on the date of recognition of income, will be taxed as short-term or long-term capital gain or loss, depending upon the length of time the optionee has held the stock from the date of exercise. The Company would be entitled to a deduction equal to the amount of ordinary income recognized by the optionee as a result of the exercise of the option. Special rules will apply to a participant who is an officer or director of the Company subject to liability under Section 16(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), if such participant exercises an option within six months of the date of grant. Vote RequiredVOTE REQUIRED Approval of the Amended Employee Plan will require the affirmative vote of at least a majority in voting interest of the stockholders present in person or by proxy at the Annual Meeting and entitled to vote thereon. Board Recommendation The Board of Directors has unanimously approved the Amended Employee Plan and recommends that the Company's stockholders voteBOARD RECOMMENDATION THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS HAS UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE AMENDED EMPLOYEE PLAN AND RECOMMENDS THAT THE COMPANY'S STOCKHOLDERS VOTE "FOR" adoption of the Amended Employee Plan Proposal. PROPOSAL TO APPROVEADOPTION OF THE 1991 DIRECTORS STOCK OPTION PLAN, AS AMENDED AND RESTATED Stockholders are being asked to approve the 1991 Directors Stock Option Plan, as amended and restated by the Board of Directors as of June 14 1996 (which reflects certain amendments approved by the Board on that date and on February 13, 1996) (the "Amended Directors Plan"). A vote in favor of the Amended Directors Plan Proposal will also be a vote in favor of all of the amendments to the 1991 Directors Stock Option Plan, which will, among other things, (i) increase the amount of Common Stock that is authorized to be issued under the plan by 375,000 shares (post-Stock Split), (ii) provide that the exercise price for each option issued under the Amended Directors Plan will be the fair market value of the underlying shares of Common Stock on the date the option is granted, (iii) adjust the amount of options granted to each participant on a yearly basis from 8,000 to 12,000 shares and to each participant following his or her initial election from 8,000 to 12,000 shares or from 4,000 to 6,000 shares, as provided, and (iv) remove from the discretion of the Compensation Committee certain administrative functions under the plan. A vote in favor of the Amended Directors Plan Proposal will also constitute approval of the grants made under the Amended Directors Plan on April 1, 1996 by the Compensation Committee to each of the six participants under the plan, as further described below. The Company currently does not pay any cash compensation to its non-employee Directors, although they are reimbursed for out-of-pocket expenses incurred in attending meetings. Directors are compensated for their time and efforts solely through grants of stock options. The Company believes that the Amended Directors Plan provides non-employee directors a favorable opportunity to acquire Common Stock of the Company and creates an incentive for such directors to serve on the Board of Directors of the Company and contribute to its long- term growth and profitability objectives. Under the 1991 Stock Option Plan as originally adopted by the Board of Directors on February 28, 1991 and approved by the stockholders on October 29, 1991, 375,000 shares of Common Stock were reserved for issuance. As of June 5, 1996, 134,000 options had been previously exercised and 252,000 options remained outstanding. Based on the Company's growth over the past several years, in part through acquisitions that have involved the issuance of additional shares of Common Stock, the Company believes it appropriate to increase the number of shares of Common Stock authorized for issuance pursuant to the plan from 375,000 to 750,000 (subject to adjustment to reflect the effect of the Stock Split on the number of shares currently reserved under the plan). -16- Under the original 1991 Directors Stock Option Plan, as amended, options were granted at an exercise price equal to the greater of (i) $2.00 less than the fair market value of the underlying shares on the date of grant or (ii) 60% of the fair market value of such shares on the date of grant. In order to more directly align the interests of the non-employee directors with those of the Company's stockholders, this provision has been amended, subject to stockholder approval, to state that the exercise price of options granted under the Amended Directors Plan will in all cases be equal to 100% of the fair market value of the underlying shares on the date of grant. The original 1991 Directors Stock Option Plan, as amended, provided for yearly grants of options for the purchase of 8,000 shares of Common Stock and additional grants upon initial election to the Board of 8,000 shares, or 4,000 shares if such election occurred after September 30 of the year first elected. If approved by the stockholders, the Amended Directors Plan will adjust these grant amounts from 8,000 to 12,000 shares and from 4,000 to 6,000 shares, respectively. The directors believe such changes are appropriate in light of the 1994 three-for-two split of the Company's Common Stock and the increase in the exercise price of options granted under the plan as described above. No additional adjustment to these grant numbers will be made as a result of the Stock Split payable July 15, 1996. As originally adopted, the 1991 Directors Stock Option Plan provided the Compensation Committee with discretion over certain administrative functions under the plan. For example, the Compensation Committee had discretion to prescribe installment periods governing the vesting of options granted under the Directors Plan, although, in fact, the Committee had never exercised such discretion. If approved by the stockholders of the Company, the Amended Directors Plan removes this and other discretionary decisions from the Compensation Committee. General Provisions. The Amended Directors Plan is administered by the Compensation Committee. The persons eligible to participate in the Amended Directors Plan are the duly elected non-employee directors of the Company (presently 7 individuals). The Compensation Committee determines the meaning and application of the provisions of the Amended Directors Plan and related option agreements. Options granted under the Amended Directors Plan are nonqualified stock options. The Amended Directors Plan provides that each participant shall receive a grant of options for the purchase of 12,000 shares of Common Stock on the first business day of April in each calendar year. In addition, a participant shall receive a grant of options for the purchase of 12,000 shares of Common Stock upon his or her initial election to the Board, provided that if such election occurs after September 30 of the year first elected, such initial grant shall be for 6,000 shares of Common Stock. The exercise price of each option granted under the Amended Directors Plan shall be equal to 100% of the fair market value of the underlying shares on the date of grant. Each option is fully exercisable on the date of the grant and has a term of four years from the date of the grant. No options may be granted after February 27, 2001. Generally, options may be exercised only by the individual to whom the option is granted, and are not transferable or assignable, except that in the event of an optionee's death or legal disability, the optionee's heirs or legal representatives may exercise the options for a period not to exceed one year. The Board of Directors may terminate or amend the Amended Directors Plan without the approval of the Company's stockholders, but stockholder approval would be required in order to amend the Amended Directors Plan to increase the total number of shares, to lower the exercise price of options to less than 100% of the fair market value as of the date of the grant, to extend the maximum four- year exercise period or to change the class of persons eligible to participate in the Amended Directors Plan. Termination of Service. Options will cease to be exercisable within 30 days after termination of the optionee's service to the Company, other than upon termination due to death, disability or retirement or upon termination for cause. Options will be exercisable within twelve months of death or disability and within three months of retirement. Upon termination for cause, a participant's options shall be rescinded. Termination and Amendment of Plan. The Board of Directors may terminate or amend the Amended Directors Plan without the approval of the Company's stockholders, but stockholder approval would be required in order to -17- amend the plan to increase the number of shares, to change the class of persons eligible to participate in the plan, to extend the maximum ten-year exercise period or to permit an option exercise price to be fixed at less than 100% of the fair market value as of the date of grant. Antidilution Provisions. The amount of shares reserved for issuance under the Amended Directors Plan and the terms of outstanding options shall be adjusted in the event of changes in the outstanding Common Stock by reasons of stock dividends, stock splits, reverse stock splits, split-ups, consolidations, recapitalizations, reorganizations or like events. Benefits Under the Amended Directors Plan. Presently, seven Directors of the Company and its subsidiaries are eligible to participate in the Amended Directors Plan, although Mr. Hillas does not participate at this time. On April 1, 1996, a grant was made to each of the non-employee directors, other than Mr. Hillas, of an option for 12,000 shares of Common Stock of the Company, for an aggregate grant of options for 72,000 shares of Common Stock. On June 5, 1996 the closing price of the Common Stock on the NYSE was $34 1/4 per share. Certain Federal Income Tax Consequences. The following is a brief summary of the principal federal income tax consequences of awards under the Amended Directors Plan based upon current federal income tax laws. The summary is not intended to be exhaustive and, among other things, does not describe state, local or foreign tax consequences. An optionee generally recognizes no taxable income as the result of the grant of a nonqualified stock option. Upon exercise of such an option, the optionee normally recognizes ordinary income in the amount of the excess of the fair market value on the date of exercise over the option price. Upon the sale of stock acquired by the exercise of a nonqualified stock option, any gain or loss, based on the difference between the sale price and the fair market value on the date of recognition of income, will be taxed as short-term or long-term capital gain or loss, depending upon the length of time the optionee has held the stock from the date of exercise. No tax deduction is available to the Company with respect to the grant of the option or the sale of stock acquired pursuant thereto. The Company would be entitled to a deduction equal to the amount of ordinary income recognized by the optionee as a result of the exercise of the option. Special rules apply under Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act if a participant exercises an option within six months of the date of grant. Vote Required Approval of the Amended Directors Plan will require the affirmative vote of at least a majority in voting interest of the stockholders present in person or by proxy at the Annual Meeting and entitle to vote thereon. Board Recommendation The Board of Directors has unanimously approved the Amended Directors Plan and recommends that the Company's stockholders vote "FOR" adoption of the Amended Directors Plan Proposal.EMPLOYEE PLAN. PROPOSAL TO INCREASE THE AUTHORIZED CAPITAL OF THE COMPANY The Board of Directors proposes to increase the Company's authorized share capital from 78,000,000153,000,000 to 153,000,000303,000,000 by amendment to the Company's Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended (the "Authorized Capital Amendment"). If the Authorized Capital Amendment is approved by the stockholders, the number of the Company's authorized shares of Common Stock would be increased from 75,000,000150,000,000 shares to 150,000,000300,000,000 shares. Specifically, if the Authorized Capital Amendment is approved, Article V, Section 1 of the Company's Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended (the "Certificate of Incorporation"), will be amended and restated to read in its entirety as follows: "Section 1. Authorized Stock.AUTHORIZED STOCK. The Corporation shall be authorized to issue two classes of shares to be designated, respectively, "Preferred Stock" and "Common Stock"; the total number of shares which the Corporation shall have the authority to issue is onethree hundred fifty three million (153,000,000) -18- (303,000,000) shares; the total number of authorized shares of Preferred Stock shall be three million (3,000,000) and each share shall have a par value of ten cents ($.10); and the total number of authorized shares of Common Stock shall be onethree hundred fifty million (150,000,000)(300,000,000) and each share shall have a par value of one cent ($.01)." As of June 5, 1996,2, 1997, there were issued and outstanding 29,134,29880,171,546 shares of Common Stock. Of the unissued shares of Common Stock, 2,926,342 shares were reserved for issuance upon conversion of the Company's 5% Convertible Subordinated Debentures due 2000, 5,090,9097,636,363 shares were reserved for issuance upon conversion of the Company's 6% Convertible Subordinated Notes due 2005, and an aggregate of [2,122,467]9,113,924 shares were reserved for issuance upon exerciseconversion of outstanding options underthe Company's 4 1/2% Convertible Subordinated Notes due 2001 and an aggregate of 7,068,750 shares were reserved for issuance pursuant to the Company's stock option plans for employees and directors. Consequently, on a post-Stock Split basis, the Company presently has reserved for issuance 15,209,57723,819,037 shares of Common Stock and presently has available for issuance 16,088,97656,352,509 shares of Common Stock and 3,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock. In addition, a maximum of 3,200,000 shares (4,800,000 post- Stock Split) are issuable pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of June 10, 1996 pursuant to which the Company will acquire, upon satisfaction of various conditions, Davis Water & Waste Industries, Inc. Approval of the Authorized Capital Amendment is not necessary for, or a condition to, the consummation of this agreement. Purposes and Reasons for the Proposed Increase in Authorized CapitalPURPOSES AND REASONS FOR THE PROPOSED INCREASE IN AUTHORIZED CAPITAL If the Authorized Capital Amendment is approved, the increased number of authorized shares of Common Stock will be available for issuance from time to time, for such purposes and consideration, and on such terms, as the Board of Directors may approve, and no further vote of the stockholders of the Company will be required, except as provided under the Delaware General Corporation Law or the rules of the NYSE. An increase in authorized shares will enable the Company to meet possible contingencies and opportunities in which the issuance of shares of Common Stock in amounts greater than would otherwise remain available for 16 issuance may be deemed advisable, such as in equity and convertible debt financings, acquisition transactions, stock dividends and distributions and employee benefit plans. By adopting the Authorized Capital Amendment at this time, consummation of issuances of any additional shares of Common Stock would be facilitated, because the delay and expense incident to the calling of a special meeting of the Company's stockholders, in cases where such a meeting would not otherwise be required, would be avoided. The timing of the actual issuance of additional shares of Common Stock, if any, will depend upon market conditions, the specific purpose for which the stock is to be issued, and other similar factors. Any additional issuance of Common Stock could have a dilutive effect on existing holders of Common Stock. The Company has issued a substantial number of shares in business acquisitions in the past and is frequently engaged in preliminary discussions with acquisition candidates. However, the Company currently has no plans for the issuance of any shares of Common Stock, except as described above, none of which are shares for which the Company is securingseeking authorization pursuant to the Authorized Capital Amendment. The terms of the additional shares of Common Stock for which authorization is sought will be identical with the terms of the shares of Common Stock currently authorized and outstanding, and approval of the Authorized Capital Amendment proposal will not affect the terms, or the rights of the holders, of such shares. The Common Stock has no cumulative voting, conversion, preemptive or subscription rights and is not redeemable. Laidlaw has certain rights to purchase voting capital stock of the Company or rights to acquire such stock ("Securities") in order to maintain its percentage share of the Company's voting power, except in the case of Securities issuable in the ordinary course under any employee or director stock benefit plan or in connection with a merger or other acquisition. In addition, if the Company proposes to issue Securities at a price less than the lower of (i) 15% below the current market price or (ii) the prevailing customary and reasonable price for such Securities, Laidlaw has the right to purchase on the same terms as the proposed issuance such number of the offered Securities as it shall specify. Possible Anti-Takeover EffectsPOSSIBLE ANTI-TAKEOVER EFFECTS Although it did not form a basis for the Board's decision to adopt the Authorized Capital Amendment, the existence of additional authorized shares of Common Stock could have the effect of rendering more difficult or -19- discouraging hostile takeover attempts. The Company is not aware of any existing or planned effort on the part of any person to acquire the Company by means of a merger, tender offer, solicitation of proxies in opposition to management or otherwise, or to change the Company's management, nor is the Company aware of any person having made any offer to acquire the capital stock or substantially all of the assets of the Company. The Certificate of Incorporation and Restated Bylaws (the "Bylaws") of the Company and the Delaware General Corporation Law contain certain provisions that could also have an anti-takeover effect. The Certificate of Incorporation places certain restrictions on the voting rights of a "Related Person," defined therein as any person who directly or indirectly owns 5% or more of the outstanding voting stock of the Company. The founders and the original directors of the Company are excluded from the definition of "Related Persons," as are seven named individuals including Mr. Heckmann, the Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and President of the Company. These voting restrictions apply in two situations. First, the vote of a director who is also a Related Person is not counted in the vote of the Board of Directors to call a meeting of stockholders where that meeting will consider a proposal made by the Related Person director. Second, any amendments to the Certificate of Incorporation that relate to specified Articles therein (those dealing with corporate governance, limitation of director liability or amendments to the Certificate of Incorporation), in addition to being approved by the Board of Directors and a majority of the Company's outstanding voting stock, must also be approved by either (i) a majority of directors who are not Related Persons, or (ii) the holders of at least 80% of the Company's outstanding voting stock, provided that if the change was proposed by or on behalf of a Related Person, then approval by the holders of a majority of the outstanding voting stock not held by Related Persons is also required. In addition, any amendment to the Company's Bylaws must be approved by one of the methods specified in clauses (i) and (ii) in the preceding sentence. The Certificate of Incorporation provides that the Company is authorized to issue 3,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock. The Board of Directors is authorized to issue such shares without stockholder approval in one or more series and to fix the rights, preferences, privileges, qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereof, including voting rights. 17 The Certificate of Incorporation and the Company's Bylaws provide that the Board of Directors shall fix the number of directors and that the Board shall be divided into three classes, each consisting of one-third of the total number of directors (or as nearly as may be possible). Stockholders may not take action by written consent. Meetings of stockholders may be called only by the Board of Directors (or by a majority of its members). Stockholder proposals, including director nominations, may be considered at a meeting only if written notice of that proposal is delivered to the Company from 30 to 60 days in advance of the meeting, or within ten days after notice of the meeting is first given to stockholders. Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law ("Section 203") provides, in general, that a stockholder acquiring more than 15% of the outstanding voting shares of a corporation subject to the statute (an "Interested Stockholder"), but less than 85% of such shares, may not engage in certain "Business Combinations" with the corporation for a period of three years subsequent to the date on which the stockholder became an Interested Stockholder unless (i) prior to such date the corporation's board of directors has approved either the Business Combination or the transaction in which the stockholder became an Interested Stockholder or (ii) the Business Combination is approved by the corporation's board of directors and authorized by a vote of at least two-thirds of the outstanding voting stock of the corporation not owned by the Interested Stockholder. Section 203 defines the term "Business Combination" to encompass a wide variety of transactions with or caused by an Interested Stockholder in which the Interested Stockholder receives or could receive a benefit on other than a pro rata basis with other stockholders, including mergers, certain asset sales, certain issuances of additional shares to the Interested Stockholder, transactions with the corporation that increase the proportionate interest of the Interested Stockholder or transactions in which the Interested Stockholder receives certain other benefits. Vote RequiredVOTE REQUIRED Approval of the Authorized Capital Amendment will require the affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of the outstanding shares of Common Stock. -20- Board Recommendation The Board of Directors has unanimously approved the Authorized Capital Amendment and recommends that the Company's stockholders voteBOARD RECOMMENDATION THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS HAS UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE AUTHORIZED CAPITAL AMENDMENT AND RECOMMENDS THAT THE COMPANY'S STOCKHOLDERS VOTE "FOR" adoption of the Authorized Capital Amendment proposal.ADOPTION OF THE AUTHORIZED CAPITAL AMENDMENT PROPOSAL. RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS The Board of Directors has appointed KPMG Peat Marwick LLP as independent certified public accountants of the Company for the fiscal year ending March 31, 19971998 and has further directed that the appointment be submitted for ratification by the stockholders at the Annual Meeting. KPMG Peat Marwick LLP is an internationally recognized firm of independent certified public accountants and has audited the Company's financial statements since fiscal 1992. A representative of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP will be present at the Annual Meeting and will be available to make a statement, if he or she so desires, and to respond to appropriate questions. OTHER MATTERS The solicitation of Proxiesproxies is made on behalf of the Board of Directors of the Company and the cost thereof will be borne by the Company. In addition to soliciting Proxiesproxies by mail, directors, officers and employees of the Company, without receiving additional compensation therefor, may solicit Proxiesproxies by telephone, telegram, in person or by other means. Arrangements also will be made with brokerage firms and other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries to forward proxy soliciting material to the beneficial owners of Common Stock held of record by such persons and the Company will reimburse such brokerage firms, custodians, nominees and fiduciaries for reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by them in connection therewith. 18 STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS FOR 19971998 ANNUAL MEETING Stockholder proposals intended to be presented at the 1997 annual meeting1998 Annual Meeting of stockholdersStockholders of the Company must be received by March 1, 1997.9, 1998. Any such proposals should be addressed to the Secretary of the Company, 40-004 Cook Street, Palm Desert, California 92211. By Order of the Board of Directors Damian C. Georgino Secretary July 7, 1997 19 Preliminary Copy UNITED STATES FILTER CORPORATION 40-004 Cook Street, Palm Desert, California 92211 Proxy for Annual Meeting of Stockholders on August 14, 1997 This Proxy is Solicited on Behalf of the Board of Directors The undersigned hereby appoints Richard J. Heckmann and Damian C. Georgino, and each or either of them as proxies, each with power to appoint his substitute, and hereby authorizes any of them to represent and to vote, as designated on the reverse side of this proxy card, all shares of the Common Stock, par value $.01 per share (the "Common Stock"), 1996 - ------ -- -21-of United States Filter Corporation (the "Company"), which the undersigned is entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of the Company (the "Annual Meeting") to be held on August 14, 1997, commencing at 9:00 A.M., Pacific Daylight Time, at the Inn at Rancho Santa Fe, 5951 Linea del Cielo, Rancho Santa Fe, California 92067, or any adjournment or postponement thereof as follows on the reverse side of this proxy card. PLEASE DATE AND SIGN ON REVERSE SIDE ANNEX[x] Please mark your votes as in this example 1. The election of three directors, each for a term of three years; FOR all nominees listed at right Nominees: John L. Diederich (except as marked to the contrary Nicholas C. Memmo below). C. Howard Wilkins, Jr. WITHHOLD AUTHORITY to vote for all nominees listed at right. (INSTRUCTIONS: To withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee, draw a line through such nominee's name.) 2. The proposal to approve the Company's 1991 Employee Stock Option Plan, as amended and restated; FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN [ ] [ ] [ ] 3. The proposal to increase the number of authorized shares of the Company's Common Stock from 150,000,000 to 300,000,000; FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN [ ] [ ] [ ] 4. The proposal to ratify the appointment of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP as independent public accountants for the Company; FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN [ ] [ ] [ ] In their discretion, the proxy holders are authorized to vote upon such other business as may properly come before the meeting. FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN [ ] [ ] [ ] THIS PROXY, WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED, WILL BE VOTED IN THE MANNER DIRECTED HEREIN BY THE UNDERSIGNED STOCKHOLDER. IF NO DIRECTION IS GIVEN, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED "FOR" PROPOSALS 1 THROUGH 4. SIGNATURE DATED , 1997 ------------------- ------------------- SIGNATURE DATED , 1997 ------------------- ------------------- Note: Please sign exactly as name or names appear hereon. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, trustee or guardian, please give your full title. If a corporation, please sign in full corporate name by president or other authorized officer. If a partnership, please sign in partnership name by authorized partner. APPENDIX A UNITED STATES FILTER CORPORATION 1991 EMPLOYEE STOCK OPTION PLAN/1/PLAN1 1. Purpose.PURPOSE. The United States Filter Corporation 1991 Employee Stock ------- Option Plan (the "Plan") is hereby established to grant to officers, directors and key employees of United States Filter Corporation and its Subsidiaries (individually and collectively, the "Company") a favorable opportunity to acquire Common Stock of United States Filter Corporation (the "Stock"), and to create an incentive for such persons to remain in the employ of the Company and to contribute to its success. As used in the Plan, the term "Code" shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and any successor statute, and the terms "Parent" and "Subsidiary" shall have the meaning set forth in Sections 424(e) and (f) of the Code. 2. Administration.ADMINISTRATION. The Plan shall be administered by the Compensation -------------- Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company (the "Committee"). The Committee shall determine the meaning and application of the provisions of the Plan and all option agreements executed pursuant thereto, and its decisions shall be conclusive and binding upon all interested persons. The Committee may not grant an option to any member of the Committee. An option may be granted to a member of the Committee only by action of the Board of Directors of the Company. Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Committee shall have the sole authority to determine: (a) The persons to whom options to purchase Stock shall be granted; (b) The number of options to be granted to each person; (c) The price to be paid for the Stock upon the exercise of each option; (d) The period within which each option shall be exercised; and (e) The terms and conditions of each stock option agreement entered into between the Company and persons to whom the Company has granted an option. 3. Eligibility.ELIGIBILITY. Officers, directors and key employees of the Company, as ----------- determined by the Committee, shall be eligible to - --------------------- /1/ As amended by the Board of Directors through June 14, 1996. receive grants of options under the Plan. No individual may be granted, in any calendar year, options under the Plan to purchase more than 150,000 shares of Common Stock. 4. Stock Subject to Plan.STOCK SUBJECT TO PLAN. There shall be reserved for issue upon the --------------------- exercise of options granted under the Plan 7,131,250 shares of Common Stock or ------- the number of shares of Stock, which, in accordance with the provisions of Section 9 hereof, shall be substituted therefor. Such shares may be authorized but unissued shares or treasury shares. If an option granted under the Plan - ----------------------- 1 As amended by the Board of Directors through June 12, 1997. shall expire or terminate for any reason without having been exercised in full, unpurchased shares subject thereto shall again be available for the purposes of the Plan. 2 5. Terms of Options. ----------------TERMS OF OPTIONS. (a) Incentive Stock Options.INCENTIVE STOCK OPTIONS. It is intended that options granted ----------------------- pursuant to this Section 5(a) qualify as incentive stock options as defined in Section 422 of the Code. Incentive stock options shall be granted only to employees of the Company. Each stock option agreement evidencing an incentive stock option shall provide that the option is subject to the following terms and conditions and to such other terms and conditions not inconsistent therewith as the Committee may deem appropriate in each case: (1) Option Price.OPTION PRICE. The price to be paid for each share of Stock ------------ upon the exercise of each incentive stock option shall be determined by the Committee at the time the option is granted, but shall in no event be less than 100% of the fair market value of the shares on the date the option is granted, or not less than 110% of the fair market value of such shares on the date such option is granted in the case of an individual then owning (within the meaning of Section 424(d) of the Code) more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or of its Parent or Subsidiaries. As used in this Plan the term "date the option is granted" means the date on which the Committee authorizes the grant of an option hereunder or any later date specified by the Committee. Fair market value of the shares shall be (i) the mean of the high and low prices of shares of Stock sold on a national stock exchange on the date the option is granted (or if there was no sale on such date, the highest asked price for the Stock on such date), or (ii) if the Stock is not listed on any national stock exchange on the date the option is granted, the mean between the "bid" and "asked" prices of the Stock in the National Over- The-CounterOver-The-Counter Market on the date the option is granted, or (iii) if the Stock is not traded in any market, that price determined by the Committee to be fair market value, based upon such evidence as it may think necessary or desirable. (2) Period of Option.PERIOD OF OPTION. The period or periods within which an ---------------- option may be exercised shall be determined by the Committee at the time the option is granted, but in no event shall -2- any option granted hereunder be exercised more than ten years from the date the option was granted, nor more than five years from the date the option was granted in the case of an individual then owning (within the meaning of Section 424(d) of the Code) more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or of its Parent or Subsidiaries. (3) Payment for Stock.PAYMENT FOR STOCK. The option exercise price for each ----------------- share of Stock purchased under an option shall be paid in full at the time of purchase. The Committee may provide that the option price be payable, at the election of the holder of the option and with the consent of the Committee, in whole or in part either in cash or by delivery of Stock in transferable form of shares of Stock which have been held by the Optionee for at least six months prior to the date of exercise or such shorter period as qualifies as the measurement period for "mature shares" under applicable generally accepted accounting rules. Such delivered shares of Stock toshall be valued for such purpose at itstheir fair market value on the date on which the option is exercised. In the discretion of the Committee, the delivery of shares of Stock in full or partial payment of the option exercise price may be accomplished without the actual delivery by the Optionee of stock certificates representing the delivered shares under a procedure whereby the Optionee attests in writing, on a form acceptable to the Committee, to ownership of the subject shares and the Company delivers to the Optionee certificates representing the net shares issuable upon such option exercise. Payment 3 may also be made, in the discretion of the Committee, by delivery (including by fax) to the Company or its designated agent of an executed irrevocable option exercise form together with irrevocable instructions to a broker-dealer to sell or margin a sufficient portion of the shares and deliver the sale or margin loan proceeds directly to the Company to pay for the exercise price. No share of Stock shall be issued until full payment therefor has been made, and no employee shall have any rights as an owner of Stock until the date of issuance to him of the stock certificate evidencing such Stock. (4) Limitation on Amount.LIMITATION ON AMOUNT. Subject to the overall limitations -------------------- of Section 4 hereof (relating to the aggregate shares subject to the Plan), the aggregate fair market value (determined as of the time the option is granted) of the Common Stock with respect to which incentive stock options are exercisable for the first time by the Optionee during any calendar year (under the Plan and all other incentive stock option plans of the Company, any Parent or Subsidiaries) shall not exceed $100,000. (b) Nonqualified Stock Options.NONQUALIFIED STOCK OPTIONS. Each nonqualified stock option -------------------------- granted under the Plan shall be evidenced by a stock option agreement between the person to whom such option is granted and the Company. Such stock option agreement shall provide that the option is subject to the following terms and conditions and to such other terms and conditions not inconsistent therewith as the Committee may deem appropriate in each case: (1) Option Exercise Price.OPTION EXERCISE PRICE. The exercise price to be paid for --------------------- each share of Stock upon the exercise of an option shall be determined by the Committee at the time the option is granted, but shall in no event be less than 100% of the fair market value of the shares on the date the option is granted. As used in this Plan, the term "date the option is granted" means the date on which the Committee authorizes the grant of an option hereunder or any later date specified by the Committee. Fair market value of the shares shall be (i) the mean of the high and the low prices of shares of Stock sold on a national stock exchange on the date the option is granted (or if there was no sale on such date, the highest asked price for the Stock on such date), or (ii) if the Stock is not listed on a national stock exchange on the date the option is granted the mean between the "bid" and "asked" prices of the Stock in the National Over-The-Counter market on the date the option is granted, or (iii) if the Stock is not traded in any -3- market, that price determined by the Committee to be fair market value, based upon such evidence as it may think necessary or desirable. (2) Period of Option.PERIOD OF OPTION. The period or periods within which an ---------------- option may be exercised shall be determined by the Committee at the time the option is granted, but shall in no event exceed ten years from the date the option is granted. (3) Payment for Stock.PAYMENT FOR STOCK. The option exercise price for each share of Stock ----------------- purchased under an option shall be paid in full at the time of purchase. The Committee may provide that the option exercise price be payable, at the election of the holder of the option and with the consent of the Committee, in whole or in part either in cash or by delivery of Stock in transferable form of shares of Stock which have been held by the Optionee for at least six months prior to the date of exercise or such shorter period as qualifies as the measurement period for "mature shares" under applicable generally accepted accounting rules. Such delivered shares of Stock toshall be valued for such purpose at itstheir fair market value on the date on which the option is exercised. In the 4 discretion of the Committee, the delivery of shares of Stock in full or partial payment of the option exercise price may be accomplished without the actual delivery by the Optionee of stock certificates representing the delivered shares under a procedure whereby the Optionee attests in writing, on a form acceptable to the Committee, to ownership of the subject shares and the Company delivers to the Optionee certificates representing the net shares issuable upon such option exercise. Payment may also be made, in the discretion of the Committee, by delivery (including by fax) to the Company or its designated agent of an executed irrevocable option exercise form together with irrevocable instructions to a broker-dealer to sell or margin a sufficient portion of the shares and deliver the sale or margin loan proceeds directly to the Company to pay for the exercise price. No share of Stock shall be issued until full payment therefor has been made, and no employee shall have any rights as an owner of shares of Stock until the date of issuance to him of the stock certificate evidencing such Stock. 6. Nontransferability.NONTRANSFERABILITY. The options granted pursuant to the Plan shall be ------------------ nontransferable except by will or the laws of descent and distribution, and shall be exercisable during the optionee's lifetime only by him and after his death, by his personal representative or by the person entitled thereto under his will or the laws of intestate succession. 7. Termination of Employment.TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT. Upon termination of the optionee's ------------------------- employment, except as the Committee shall otherwise authorize at the time of grant and any time thereafter, his rights to exercise options then held by him shall be only as follows: (a) Death or Disability.DEATH OR DISABILITY. Upon the death of any person holding options ------------------- granted under this Plan, his options shall be exercisable, by the holder's representative or by the person entitled thereto under his will or the laws of intestate succession, only if and to the extent they are exercisable on the date of his death, and such options shall terminate twelve months after the date of his death (or such shorter period as the Committee may prescribe in his option agreement). Upon the disability of an optionee his options shall be exercisable only if and to the extent they are exercisable on the date of his disability, and such options shall terminate twelve months after the date of his disability (or such shorter period as the Committee may prescribe in his option agreement). Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to options granted on or after June 12, 1997 [date of Board approval of Plan amendments], if, upon the disability of an optionee, the optionee's age plus years of continuous service with the Company and its affiliates [and predecessors] (as combined and rounded to the nearest month) equal 65 or more, then all of his options shall be exercisable, whether or not they were exercisable on the date of such disability, for the exercise period stated above. However, in no event shall any option be exercised more than ten years from the date the option was granted. For purposes of this Section 7(a), an individual is disabled if he is unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or -4- which has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months. (b) Retirement.RETIREMENT. Upon the retirement of an officer, director or ---------- employee or the cessation of services provided by a nonemployee (either pursuant to a Company retirement plan, if any, or pursuant to the approval of the Committee) or if any officer, director, employee or non-employee optionee leaves the Company, a Parent or a Subsidiary, for any reason other than as set forth in Section 7(a), 7(c) or 7(d) hereof, his options shall be exercisable only if and to the extent 5 they are exercisable on the date of his retirement or cessation of services and such options shall terminate three months after the date of his retirement or cessation of services as the case may be (or such shorter period as the Committee may prescribe in his option agreement). The optionee's option shall terminate upon the expiration of such period unless the holder of the options dies prior thereto, in which event he shall be deemed to have died on the date of his retirement or cessation of services; provided, however,services. Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to options granted on or after June 12, 1997 [date of Board approval of Plan amendments], if, upon the retirement of an optionee, the optionee's age plus years of continuous service with the Company and its affiliates [and predecessors] (as combined and rounded to the nearest month) equal 65 or more, then all of his options shall be exercisable, whether or not they were exercisable on the date of such retirement, for the exercise period stated above. However, in no event shall such options be exercised more than ten years from the date they are granted. (c) Transfer to Related Corporation.TRANSFER TO RELATED CORPORATION. In the event that an officer, ------------------------------- director or employee leaves the employ of the Company to become an officer, director or employee of any Subsidiary, or an officer, director or employee ceases to serve as an officer or director or leaves the employ of a Subsidiary to become an officer, director or employee of the Company or another Subsidiary, such officer, director or employee shall be deemed to continue as an officer, director or employee for all purposes of this Plan. (d) Other Termination.OTHER TERMINATION. In the event an officer, director or employee ----------------- ceases to serve as an officer or director or leaves the employ of the Company, a Parent or a Subsidiary, or a nonemployee ceases to provide services to the Company, of his own volition, or if his relationship with the Company, a Parent or a Subsidiary is terminated by the Company for cause, his options shall terminate at the earlier of the date his employment terminates or he ceases providing services to the Company, a Parent or a Subsidiary, or the date he receives written notice that his employment or rendering of services is or will be terminated. 8. Acceleration upon Termination or Sale of Company.ACCELERATION UPON TERMINATION OR SALE OF COMPANY. The Committee may ------------------------------------------------ determine to accelerate the exercisability of any or all options after termination of employment. In the event the Parent or its stockholders enter into an agreement to dispose of all or substantially all of the assets or capital stock of the Parent by means of a sale, merger, consolidation, reorganization, liquidation or otherwise, an option granted under the Plan will, in the discretion of the Committee, if so authorized by the Board of Directors and conditioned upon consummation of such disposition of assets or stock, become immediately exercisable during the period -5- commencing as of the date of the execution of such agreement and ending as of the earlier of the stated termination date of the option or the date on which the disposition of assets or stock contemplated by the agreement is consummated. 6 9. Adjustment of Shares. --------------------ADJUSTMENT OF SHARES. (a) In the event of changes in the outstanding Stock by reason of stock dividends, stock splits, reverse stock splits, split-ups, consolidations, recapitalizations, reorganizations or like events (as determined by the Committee), an appropriate adjustment shall be made by the Committee in the number of shares reserved under the Plan, in the number of shares set forth in Section 4 hereof, and in the number of shares and the option price per share specified in any stock option agreement with respect to any unpurchased shares. The determination of the Committee as to what adjustments shall be made shall be conclusive. Adjustments for any options to purchase fractional shares shall also be determined by the Committee. The Committee shall give prompt notice to all optionees of any adjustment pursuant to this Section. (b) Section 9(a) above to the contrary notwithstanding, in the event of any merger, consolidation or other reorganization of United States Filter Corporation in which United States Filter Corporation is not the surviving or continuing corporation (as determined by the Committee) or in the event of the liquidation or dissolution of United States Filter Corporation, all options granted hereunder shall terminate on the effective date of the merger, consolidation, reorganization, liquidation, or dissolution unless the agreement with respect thereto provides for the assumption of such options by the continuing or surviving corporation. Any other provision of this Plan to the contrary notwithstanding, all outstanding options granted hereunder shall be fully exercisable for a period of 30 days prior to the effective date of any such merger, consolidation, reorganization, liquidation, or dissolution unless such options are assumed by the continuing or surviving corporation. 10. Securities Law Requirements.SECURITIES LAW REQUIREMENTS. The Committee may require prospective --------------------------- optionees, as a condition of either the grant or the exercise of an option, to represent and establish to the satisfaction of the Committee that all shares of Stock acquired upon the exercise of such option will be acquired for investment and not for resale. The Company may refuse to permit the sale or other disposition of any shares acquired pursuant to any such representation until it is satisfied that such sale or other disposition would not be in contravention of applicable state or federal securities law. 11. Tax Withholding.TAX WITHHOLDING. The Company may require an optionee to pay to the --------------- Company all applicable federal, state and local taxes -6- which the Company is required to withhold with respect to the exercise of an option granted hereunder. 12. Amendment.AMENDMENT. The Board of Directors may amend the Plan at any time, --------- except that without shareholder approval: (a) The number of shares of Stock which may be reserved for issuance under the Plan shall not be increased except as provided in Section 9 hereof; (b) The option price per share of Stock may not be fixed at less than 100% of the fair market value of a share of Stock on the date the option was granted; (c) The maximum period of ten years during which the options may be exercised may not be extended; 7 (d) The class of persons eligible to receive options under the Plan as set forth in Section 3 shall not be changed; and (e) This Section 12 may not be amended in a manner that limits or reduces the amendments which require shareholder approval. 13. Termination.TERMINATION. The Plan shall terminate automatically on February 27, ----------- 2001. The Board of Directors may terminate the Plan at any earlier time. The termination of the Plan shall not affect the validity of any option agreement outstanding at the date of such termination, but no option shall be granted after such date. 14. Effective Date.EFFECTIVE DATE. The Plan shall be effective upon its adoption by the -------------- Board of Directors of the Company. Options may be granted but not exercised prior to stockholder approval of the Plan. If any options are so granted and stockholder approval shall not have been obtained on or before February 27, 1992, such options shall terminate retroactively as of the date they were granted. -7- UNITED STATES FILTER CORPORATION 1991 DIRECTORS STOCK OPTION PLAN/1/ 1. Purpose. The United States Filter Corporation 1991 Directors Stock ------- Option Plan (the "Plan") is hereby established to grant to nonemployee directors of United States Filter Corporation (the "Company") a favorable opportunity to acquire Common Stock ("Stock") of the Company and to create an incentive for such persons to serve on the Board of Directors of the Company and to contribute to its long-term growth and profitability objectives. As used in the Plan, the term "Code" shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. The term "Participant" shall mean a member of the Board of Directors of the Company who is not an officer or full-time salaried employee of the Company. Masculine terms used herein may be read as feminine, singular terms as plural and plural terms as singular, as necessary to give effect to the Plan. 2. Administration. The plan shall be administered by the Compensation -------------- Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company (the "Committee"). The Committee shall determine the meaning and application of the provisions of the Plan and all option agreements executed pursuant thereto, and its decisions shall be conclusive and binding upon all interested persons. Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Committee shall have the sole authority to grant options hereunder, to prescribe, amend and rescind rules and regulations relating to the Plan, to determine the terms and conditions of each stock option agreement entered into between the Company and any Participant, and to make all other determinations necessary or advisable in the implementation and administration of the Plan. 3. Eligibility. All nonemployee directors of the Company shall ----------- participate in the Plan. 4. Stock Subject to Plan. There shall be reserved for issue upon the --------------------- exercise of options granted under the Plan shares of Common Stock or the ------- number of shares of Stock, which, in accordance with the provisions of Section 8 hereof, shall be substituted therefor. Such shares may be authorized but unissued shares or treasury shares. If an option granted under the Plan shall expire or terminate for any reason without having been - -------------------- /1/ As amended by the Board of Directors through June 14, 1996. exercised in full, unpurchased shares subject thereto shall again be available for the purposes of the plan. 5. Terms of Options. Each option granted under the Plan shall be ---------------- evidenced by a stock option agreement between the person to whom such option is granted and the Company. Such stock option agreement shall provide that the option is subject to the following terms and conditions and to such other terms and conditions not inconsistent therewith as the Committee may deem appropriate in each case: (a) Option Exercise Price. The exercise price to be paid for each --------------------- share of Stock upon the exercise of an option shall be 100% of the fair market value of the shares on the date the option is granted. As used in this Plan, the term "date the option is granted" means the first business day in April as of which the option is granted in accordance with Section 5(b). Fair market value of the shares shall be (i) the mean of the high and the low prices of shares of Stock sold on a national stock exchange on the date the option is granted (or if there was no sale on such date the highest asked price for Stock on such date) or (ii) if the Stock is not listed on a national stock exchange on the date the option is granted the mean between the "bid" and "asked" prices of the Stock in the National Over-The-Counter market on the date the option is granted. (b) Amount and Date of Grant. Each Participant shall receive a grant ------------------------ of options for shares of Stock as follows: (1) on the first business day (i.e., the first day on which Stock of the Company may be traded on a national stock exchange) of April in each calendar year in which such Participant is serving on the Board of Directors, 12,000 shares, and (ii) following a Participant's initial election to the Board of Directors of the Company, provided that if a Participant's initial election to the Board of Directors occurs after September 30 of the year first elected, such initial grant shall be 6,000 and not 12,000 shares of Stock. (c) Period of Option. Options granted hereunder shall have a term of ---------------- four years from the date of grant. (d) Exercisability. Each option granted under the Plan shall be -------------- exercisable in full at any time and from time to time commencing as of the date of grant. (e) Payment for Stock. The option exercise price for Stock purchased ----------------- under an option shall be paid in full at the time of purchase. The option exercise price be payable, at the election of the holder of the option, in whole or in part either in cash or by delivery of Stock in transferable form, such Stock to be valued for such purpose at its fair market value on the date on which the option is exercised. No share of Stock shall be issued until full -2- payment therefor has been made, and no Participant shall have any rights as an owner of shares of Stock until the date of issuance to him of the stock certificate evidencing such Stock. 6. Nontransferability. Options granted pursuant to the Plan shall be ------------------ nontransferable except by will or the laws of descent and distribution, and shall be exercisable during the optionee's lifetime only by him, and after his death, by his personal representative or by the person entitled thereto under his will or the laws of intestate succession. 7. Termination of Service. Upon termination of the optionee's service on ---------------------- the Board of Directors for any reason ("Termination of Service"), his rights to exercise options then held by him shall be only as follows: (a) Death or Disability. Upon the death of any person holding options ------------------- granted under this Plan, his options shall be exercisable, by the holder's representative or by the person entitled thereto under his will or the laws of intestate succession, only if and to the extent they are exercisable on the date of his death, and such options shall terminate twelve months after the date of his death. (b) Termination for Cause. A Participant's right to exercise stock --------------------- options shall be rescinded if the Participant has been found to be engaged directly or indirectly in any conduct or activity which is in competition with the Company or is otherwise adverse to or not in the best interest of the Company. (c) Termination of Service. Upon the Termination of Service of a ---------------------- Participant for any reason other than as set forth in Section 7(a) or 7(b) hereof, his options shall be exercisable only if and to the extent they are exercisable on the date of his Termination of Service and such options shall terminate 30 days after the date of his Termination of Service unless the holder of the options dies prior thereto, in which event he shall be deemed to have died on the date of his Termination of Service; provided, however, in no event shall such options be exercised more than five years from the date they are granted. 8. Adjustment of Shares. -------------------- (a) In the event of changes in the outstanding Stock by reason of stock dividends, stock splits, reverse stock splits, split-ups, consolidations, recapitalizations, reorganizations or like events, an appropriate adjustment shall be made in the number of shares reserved under the Plan, in the number of shares set forth in Section 4 hereof, and in the number of shares and the option price per share specified in any stock option agreement with respect to any unpurchased shares. The Company shall give prompt notice to all optionees of any adjustment pursuant to this Section. -3- (b) Section 8(a) above to the contrary notwithstanding, in the event of any merger, consolidation or other reorganization of the Company in which the Company is not the surviving or continuing corporation or in the event of the liquidation or dissolution of the Company, all options granted hereunder shall terminate on the effective date of the merger, consolidation, reorganization, liquidation, or dissolution unless the agreement with respect thereto provides for the assumption of such options by the continuing or surviving corporation. Any other provision of this Plan to the contrary notwithstanding, all outstanding options granted hereunder shall be fully exercisable for a period of 30 days prior to the effective date of any such merger, consolidation, reorganization, liquidation, or dissolution unless such options are assumed by the continuing or surviving corporation. 9. Securities Law Requirements. The Company may require prospective --------------------------- optionees, as a condition of either the grant or the exercise of an option, to represent and establish to the satisfaction of the General Counsel of the Company that all shares of Stock acquired upon the exercise of such option will be acquired for investment and not for resale. The Company may refuse to permit the sale or other disposition of any shares acquired pursuant to any such representation until it is satisfied that such sale or other disposition would not be in contravention of applicable state or federal securities law. 10. Tax Withholding. If appropriate, the Company shall require an --------------- optionee to pay to the Company all applicable federal, state and local taxes which the Company is required to withhold with respect to the exercise of an option granted hereunder. 11. Amendment. The Board of Directors may amend the Plan at any time, --------- except that without shareholder approval: (a) The number of shares of Stock which may be reserved for issuance under the Plan shall not be increased except as provided in Section 8 hereof; (b) The option price per share of Stock may not be fixed at less than the price specified in Section 5(a) hereof; (c) The maximum period during which the options may be exercised may not be extended; (d) The Class of persons eligible to receive options under the Plan as set forth in Section 3 shall not be changed; (e) This Section 11 may not be amended in a manner that limits or reduces the amendments which require shareholder approval; and -4- (f) The provisions of the Plan shall not be amended more than once every six months, other than to comport with changes in the Internal Revenue Code, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, or the rules thereunder. 12. Termination. The Plan shall terminate automatically on February 27, ----------- 2001. The Board of Directors may terminate the Plan at any earlier time. The termination of the Plan shall not affect the validity of any option agreement outstanding at the date of such termination, but no option shall be granted after such date. 13. Effective Date. The Plan shall be effective upon its adoption by the -------------- Board of Directors of the Company. Options may be granted but not exercised prior to stockholder approval of the Plan. If any options are so granted and stockholder approval shall not have been obtained on or before February 27, 1992, such options shall terminate retroactively as of the date they were granted. -5- UNITED STATES FILTER CORPORATION 40-004 Cook Street, Palm Desert, California 92211 Proxy for Annual Meeting of Stockholders on August 6, 1996 This Proxy is Solicited on Behalf of the Board of Directors The undersigned hereby appoints Richard J. Heckmann and Damian C. Georgino, and each or either of them as proxies, each with power to appoint his substitute, and hereby authorizes any of them to represent and to vote, as designated on the reverse side of this proxy card, all shares of the common stock, par value $.01 per share (the "Common Stock"), of United States Filter Corporation (the "Company"), which the undersigned is entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of the Company (the "Annual Meeting") to be held on August 6, 1996, commencing at 9:30 A.M., Pacific Daylight Time, at the Indian Wells Resort Hotel, 76-661 Highway 111, Indian Wells, California 92210 or any adjournment or postponement thereof as follows on the reverse side of this proxy card; (PLEASE DATE AND SIGN ON REVERSE SIDE) A [X] Please mark your votes as in this example FOR all nominees listed WITHHOLD AUTHORITY at right (except as marked to vote for all to the contrary below) nominees listed at right (1) The election [ ] [ ] Nominees: James E. Clark of three Richard J. Heckmann directors, Robert S. Hillas each for a term of three years
(INSTRUCTION: To withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee, draw a line through such nominee's name.) (2) The proposal to approve the FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN Company's 1991 Employee Stock Option [ ] [ ] [ ] Plan, as amended and restated; (3) The proposal to approve the FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN Company's 1991 Directors Stock [ ] [ ] [ ] Option Plan, as amended and restated; (4) The proposal to increase the number FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN of authorized shares of the Company's [ ] [ ] [ ] Common Stock from 75,000,000 to 150,000,000; (5) The proposal to ratify the appointment FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP as independent [ ] [ ] [ ] public accountants for the Company; In their discretion, the proxy holders are authorized to vote upon such other business as may properly come before the meeting. This proxy when properly executed will be voted in the manner directed herein by the undersigned stockholder. If no directions are specified, this proxy will be voted FOR proposals 1 through 5. PLEASE COMPLETE, DATE, SIGN AND MAIL THIS PROXY IN THE ENCLOSED POSTAGE PREPAID ENVELOPE. SIGNATURE Dated , 1996 -------------------- ------------------------- -------- Signature Note: Please sign exactly as name or names appear hereon. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, trustee or guardian, please give your full title. If a corporation, please sign in full corporate name by president or other authorized officer. If a partnership, please sign in partnership name by authorized person.