Exhibit 10.40

SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT

AND MUTUAL GENERAL RELEASE

THIS SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT AND MUTUAL GENERAL RELEASE (the “Agreement”), entered
into as of the 5th day of February, 2009 (“Effective Date”), by and between
Basin Water, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Basin Water”), BionBasin, Inc., a
Delaware corporation (“BION”), Opus Trust, Inc., a Nevis corporation (“Opus
Trust”), and Martin A. Benowitz, individually and as Trustee of the Martin A.
Benowitz Qualified Profit Sharing Plan (the “Plan”) (Martin A. Benowitz
individually and in his role as trustee of the Plan sometimes hereinafter are
referred to collectively as “Benowitz”), is made with respect to the following
facts:

R E C I T A L S

A. Opus Trust and Benowitz sometimes hereinafter are referred to collectively as
the “Settling Claimants.” Basin Water, BION, Opus Trust and Benowitz sometimes
hereinafter are referred to individually as a “Party” and collectively as the
“Parties.”

B. BION and Opus Trust previously entered into that certain Unit Purchase
Agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”), dated as of March 30, 2006. Pursuant to
the Purchase Agreement, among other things: (i) Opus Trust agreed to purchase,
and BION agreed to sell, two (2) standard ion exchange units, commonly
identified as Salinas Unit #15 (“Unit 15”) and Salinas Unit #108 (“Unit 108,”
and together with Unit 15, collectively the “Units”); (ii) Opus Trust agreed to
pay One Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($1,500,000.00) (the “Purchase
Price”) in exchange for the Units; and (iii) BION agreed to issue Opus Trust
five hundred thousand (500,000) shares (the “BION Stock”) of its common stock,
to be held as collateral for the payment of the Purchase Price. The Purchase
Agreement superseded that certain letter agreement (the “Letter Agreement”),
dated as of December 28, 2005, between Opus Trust and Basin Water.

C. On or about June 28, 2008, an uninsured motorist allegedly fell asleep while
driving, and as a result, his van struck and damaged Salinas Unit # 108.
Thereafter, Basin Water determined that the damage to Unit 108 was so extensive
that it needed to be replaced.

D. Basin Water and BION have asserted that Section 16.2 of the Purchase
Agreement requires Opus Trust to insure the Units. Opus Trust failed to insure
the Units, and to offset damages incurred in replacing Unit 108, Basin Water has
withheld certain amounts payable with respect to Unit 15.

E. Opus Trust disputes that it was or is required to insure the Units. It also
has alleged certain securities and other claims against Basin Water or BION
arising out of or related to Benowitz’s acquisition of Basin Water common stock,
Benowitz’s sale of Basin Water common stock, Opus Trust’s purchase of the Units,
Opus Trust’s acquisition of the BION Stock, Basin Water’s sale to Benowitz and
Opus Trust of nitrate water treatment units instead of BION water treatment
units, and Basin Water’s withholding of amounts payable with respect to the
Units.

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F. The disputes described in Recitals C and D above, and any other disputes
and/or disagreements between Benowitz and Opus Trust, on the one hand, and Basin
Water and BION, on the other hand, sometimes hereinafter are referred to
collectively as the “Dispute.”

G. On the terms and conditions set forth below, the Parties now desire to fully
and finally settle and compromise their Dispute.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants herein contained, and
for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and adequacy of which are
hereby acknowledged, the Parties hereto agree as follows:

OPERATIVE PROVISIONS

1. Settlement Terms. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, and
in full settlement of this Dispute: (a) Basin Water agrees to pay Settling
Claimants One Hundred Twenty-Five Thousand Dollars ($125,000) (the “Settlement
Payment”) and, at the request of Opus Trust, transfer to Opus Trust 150,000
shares (the “EWC Shares”) of common stock in Empire Water Corporation (“EWC”)
owned by Basin Water Resources, Inc. (“BWR”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Basin
Water; and (b) Settling Claimants agree to transfer all right, title and
interest in and to the Units and in and to the BION Stock to Basin Water. The
Settling Claimants shall be responsible to apportion and distribute the
Settlement Payment and the EWC Shares among themselves as they deem appropriate,
and the Settling Claimants, on a joint and several basis, shall save, indemnify,
hold harmless and defend (with counsel acceptable to the Basin Releasing Parties
(as defined in Section 5 below) the Basin Released Parties with respect to any
claim or controversy that may arise with respect to the apportionment and
distribution of the Settlement Payment and the EWC Shares.

2. Exchange of Settlement Consideration. The exchange (the “Exchange”) of
settlement consideration contemplated by this Agreement shall take place at
11:00 a.m., local time, at the offices of Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney, 707
Broadway, Suite 800, San Diego, CA 92101, on February 5, 2009, or at such other
date, time or place as the parties may agree (the “Settlement Date”).

2.1 Deliveries by Basin Water and BION to Opus Trust. At the Exchange, Basin
Water shall deliver or cause to be delivered to Opus Trust: (a) duplicate
originals of this Agreement, duly executed by Basin Water and BION; (b) the
Settlement Payment; and (c) a duly executed assignment separate from
certificate, substantially in the form of Exhibit “A” attached hereto,
transferring the EWC Shares to Opus Trust and Benowitz. Basin Water shall pay
the Settlement Payment, at its election, by wire transfer via “Fed Wire” of
immediately available funds, or by cashiers check drawn on a mutually agreeable
bank.

2.2 Deliveries by Opus Trust. At the Exchange, Opus Trust shall deliver or cause
to be delivered to Basin Water and BION: (a) duplicate originals of this
Agreement, duly executed by Opus Trust and Benowitz; (b) a duly executed
assignment separate from certificate, substantially in the form of Exhibit “B”
attached hereto, transferring all of Opus Trust’s shares of BION Stock to Basin
Water; and (c) a duly executed transfer of title for the Units, substantially in
the form of Exhibit “C” attached hereto.

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3. Representations and Warranties Concerning EWC Shares. In contemplation of the
transfer of the Securities to Opus Trust and Benowitz (sometimes hereinafter
collectively referred to as the “Transferee”), the Transferee hereby represents,
agrees and acknowledges as follows:

3.1 Knowledge and Financial Experience. Transferee has such knowledge and
experience in financial and business matters as to be capable of evaluating the
merits and risks of purchasing and investing in the EWC Shares.

3.2 No Investment Advice. None of Basin Water, BION, or any of their agents or
affiliates has given any investment advice or rendered any opinion to the
Transferee as to whether the purchase of an investment in the EWC Shares is
prudent or suitable, and Transferee is not relying on any representation or
warranty by the Company or any of its agents or affiliates with respect to EWC.

3.3 Opportunity for Questions of Basin Water, BION. Transferee acknowledges that
Basin Water and BION have offered (a) Transferee the opportunity to ask
questions and receive answers from Basin Water or BION or persons acting on
behalf of Basin Water or BION or their affiliates (including BWR) with respect
to the EWC Shares, (b) to furnish Transferee with all other materials that it
considers relevant to an investment in EWC Shares and (c) to give Transferee the
opportunity to fully perform its due diligence in connection with an investment
in EWC Shares.

3.4 Opportunity for Questions of EWC. Transferee represents that (a) it has had
the opportunity to ask questions and receive answers from EWC or persons acting
on behalf of EWC with respect to the EWC Shares, (b) EWC has provided Transferee
with access to all materials that it considers relevant to an investment in the
EWC Shares and (c) EWC has given Transferee the opportunity to fully perform its
due diligence in connection with an investment in the EWC Shares.

3.5 Independent Decision. Transferee has access to all information that it
believes is necessary, sufficient or appropriate in connection with its
investment in the EWC Shares. Transferee has made an independent decision to
accept the EWC Shares based on the information concerning the business and
financial condition of EWC and other information available to it, which it has
determined are adequate for that purpose, and in light of its financial
circumstances, and Transferee has not relied on any information (in any form,
whether written or oral) furnished by Basin Water or BION or on their behalf in
making that decision.

3.6 Release. Transferee hereby expressly releases Basin Water and BION and their
affiliates, officers, employees, agents and controlling persons from any and all
liabilities arising from, in or in connection with Transferee’s investment in
the EWC Shares (including, without limitation, any investment loss that it may
suffer), and it hereby agrees to make no claim (and it hereby waives and
releases all claims that it may otherwise have) with respect to such investment
in the EWC Shares, whether before or after the date of this Agreement, against
Basin Water and BION, their respective affiliates (including BWR), officers,
directors, shareholders, principals, partners, agents, servants, employees,
assigns, representatives, attorneys and controlling persons (including, without
limitation, for any investment loss that it may suffer with respect to the EWC
Shares). Transferee hereby agrees that the release and waiver contained in this
paragraph is unconditional and irrevocable.

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3.7 No View for Resale. Transferee is acquiring the EWC Shares for investment
for Transferee’s own account, not as a nominee or agent, and not with the view
to, or for resale in connection with, any distribution thereof. Transferee
further represents that it does not have any contract, undertaking, agreement or
arrangement with any person to sell, transfer or grant participation to any
third person with respect to any of the EWC Shares.

3.8 Accredited Investor. Transferee is an “accredited investor” within the
meaning of Securities and Exchange Commission Rule 501 of Regulation D, as
presently in effect, under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
“Securities Act”).

3.9 No Registration. Transferee acknowledges that its purchase of the EWC Shares
has not been registered under the Securities Act. Transferee acknowledges that
the EWC Shares must be held indefinitely unless subsequently registered under
the Securities Act, or an exemption from such registration is available.
Transferee is aware of the provisions of Rule 144 promulgated under the
Securities Act which permit limited resale of shares purchased in a private
placement subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions.

3.10 No Exemption. Transferee understands that none of Basin Water, BION or any
of their agents or affiliates (including BWR) makes any representation as to the
availability of any exemption under the Securities Act in connection with
Transferee’s purchase of the EWC Shares.

3.11 Legend. Transferee acknowledges that, to the extent applicable, each
certificate evidencing the EWC Shares shall be endorsed with the legends
substantially in the form set forth below, as well as any additional legend
imposed or required by EWC’s bylaws or applicable state securities laws:

THE SHARES REPRESENTED HEREBY HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT
OF 1933, AS AMENDED, AND MAY NOT BE SOLD, TRANSFERRED, ASSIGNED, PLEDGED, OR
HYPOTHECATED UNLESS AND UNTIL REGISTERED UNDER SUCH ACT, OR UNLESS THE COMPANY
HAS RECEIVED AN OPINION OF COUNSEL OR OTHER EVIDENCE, SATISFACTORY TO THE
COMPANY AND ITS COUNSEL, THAT SUCH REGISTRATION IS NOT REQUIRED.

4. Release by Opus Trust, Benowitz. Except for the performance of all terms,
conditions, duties and obligations set forth in this Agreement, and subject to
Section 7.6, Opus Trust and Benowitz, on their behalf and on behalf of their
affiliates, assigns, parent corporations, subsidiaries, predecessors, and
successors-in-interest, and their respective officers, directors, shareholders,
principals, partners, agents, servants, employees, representatives and attorneys
(collectively the “Opus Trust Releasing Parties”), hereby forever
unconditionally release and discharge Basin Water and BION, and their respective
affiliates (including BWR), assigns, parent corporations, subsidiaries,
predecessors and successors-in-interest, and their respective officers,
directors, shareholders, principals, partners, agents, servants, employees,
representatives and attorneys, from any and all rights, liabilities, claims,
demands, damages,

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costs, fees, expenses, losses, judgments, liens, interests, debts, actions and
causes of action of every kind whatsoever, including without limitation for
breach of contract, negligence, fraud or securities fraud (collectively, the
“Claims”) that Opus Trust and Benowitz have, had or may have, arising or
accruing on or before the date hereof, regardless of whether asserted before, on
or after the date hereof, and regardless of whether known or unknown, in any way
arising from or relating to the Dispute, the Purchase Agreement or the Letter
Agreement (the “Opus Trust Released Claims”).

5. Release by Basin Water, BION. Except for the performance of all terms,
conditions, duties and obligations set forth in this Agreement, and subject to
Section 7.6, Basin Water and BION, on their behalf and on behalf of their
affiliates (including BWR), assigns, parent corporations, subsidiaries,
predecessors, and successors-in-interest, and their respective officers,
directors, shareholders, principals, partners, agents, servants, employees,
representatives and attorneys (collectively the “Basin Releasing Parties”),
hereby forever unconditionally release and discharge Opus Trust and Benowitz and
their respective affiliates, assigns, parent corporations, subsidiaries,
predecessors and successors-in-interest, and their respective officers,
directors, shareholders, principals, partners, agents, servants, employees,
representatives and attorneys, from any and all Claims that Basin Water and BION
have, had or may have, arising or accruing on or before the date hereof,
regardless of whether asserted before, on or after the date hereof, and
regardless of whether known or unknown, in any way arising from or relating to
the Dispute, the Purchase Agreement or the Letter Agreement (the “Basin Released
Claims”).

6. Unknown Claims. Except for the performance of all terms, conditions, duties
and obligations set forth in this Agreement, and subject to Section 7.6, Opus
Trust and Benowitz, on their behalf and on behalf of the Opus Trust Releasing
Parties, and Basin Water and BION, on their behalf and on behalf of the Basin
Releasing Parties, understand and hereby agree that this Agreement shall act as
a release of any and all Opus Trust Released Claims and Basin Released Claims,
respectively, whether known or unknown, arising, accruing or based on facts,
events or circumstances in existence on or before the Effective Date, whether
known or unknown, suspected to exist or not suspected to exist, that each of the
Parties has, had or may ever have against each of the other Parties relating to
the Opus Trust Released Claims and the Basin Released Claims.

In this connection, each of Opus Trust and Benowitz, on its behalf and on behalf
of the Opus Trust Releasing Parties, and Basin Water and BION, on its behalf and
on behalf of the Basin Releasing Parties, acknowledges that, except for the
performance of all terms, conditions, duties and obligations set forth in this
Agreement, and subject to Section 7.6 hereof, each hereby releases the Opus
Trust Released Claims and Basin Released Claims, respectively, whether such
currently are known or unknown, foreseen or unforeseen, suspected to exist or
not suspected to exist, and each of the Parties acknowledges that each has read,
is familiar with, understands and waives the provisions of California Civil Code
Section 1542, which provides as follows:

A general release does not extend to claims which the creditor does not know or
suspect to exist in his favor at the time of executing the release, which if
known by him must have materially affected his settlement with the debtor.

Furthermore, each of the Parties acknowledges that the foregoing waivers were
separately bargained for and are a key element of the consideration for entering
into this Agreement.

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To the extent that Section 1542 or any similar law or statute may otherwise
apply to the release set forth in Section 3.7 hereof, Opus Trust and Benowitz
hereby waive and relinquish as to all matters released hereunder all rights and
benefits that they have, or may have, under Section 1542, or under the laws of
California or any other jurisdiction to the same or similar effect.

7. Additional Release Provisions.

7.1 No Duress. Each of the Parties hereto acknowledges that it has been advised
by or has had the opportunity to consult legal counsel in connection with the
granting of the releases contained in this Agreement and that this Agreement is
entered into freely, without duress, coercion, menace or other undue influence.

7.2 Voluntary Execution. Each of the Parties hereto: (a) voluntarily and
knowingly executes this Agreement with the intent, subject to Section 7.6, of
extinguishing the Opus Trust Released Claims and Basin Released Claims,
whichever applies; (b) has read this Agreement and understands all of its terms;
and (c) has executed this Agreement, with full knowledge of its significance.

7.3 No Admission of Liability. This Agreement is a compromise of disputed
claims, and the execution of this Agreement shall not be considered or treated
at any time or for any purpose as an admission of liability by any of the
Parties to this Agreement. No past or present wrongdoing on the part of any of
the Parties shall be implied from the negotiation or the consummation of this
Agreement.

7.4 Capacity; Non-Assignment. All Parties warrant and represent that they have
not sold, assigned, granted, conveyed, or otherwise transferred to any other
firm, corporation, person, or other entity, any of the Claims described herein,
and that they have the full legal capacity to enter into, execute and perform
their respective obligations set forth in this Agreement. The Parties further
represent and warrant that, as of the Effective Date, they have no knowledge of
any person or entity entitled to claim, or contemplating claiming, legal wrongs
and associated relief against one more of the other Parties, the Opus Trust
Releasing Parties or the Basin Releasing Parties.

7.5 Scope of Releases. The releases set forth in Sections 4, 5 and 6 of this
Agreement shall not apply to breaches of this Agreement by any Party.

7.6 Effectiveness of Releases. The releases set forth in Sections 4, 5 and 6 of
this Agreement are intended to and shall become effective upon (a) the execution
of this Agreement by all of the Parties hereto, and (b) each Party’s performance
of such Party’s obligations under this Agreement.

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8. Representations and Warranties of Basin Water. In addition to any
representations and warranties made elsewhere in this Agreement, Basin Water
hereby makes the following representations and warranties to Opus Trust and
Benowitz, as of the Effective Date and as of the Settlement Date:

8.1 Authorization. Basin Water has the right, power and authority to enter into
this Agreement and to perform its obligations hereunder. The person executing
this Agreement on behalf of Basin Water has full power and authority to enter
into this Agreement, and any consent required as a condition thereto has been
obtained.

8.2 Enforceability. This Agreement constitutes the valid and legally binding
obligation of Basin Water, enforceable against Basin Water in accordance with
its terms.

8.3 BION. Basin Water and BION have no present intention of constructing any of
the facilities necessary to commercially exploit the technology owned by BION
because of current environmental laws, the results of research and development
conducted prior to the Effective Date, and competing technologies. Therefore,
due to uncertainties surrounding the future commercial viability of the BION
technology, Basin Water and BION have not entered into any contracts to sell any
interest in the technology or otherwise exploit the ownership of the technology
owned by BION.

9. Representations and Warranties of BION. In addition to any representations
and warranties made elsewhere in this Agreement, BION hereby makes the following
representations and warranties to Opus Trust and Benowitz, as of the Effective
Date and as of the Settlement Date:

9.1 Authorization. BION has the right, power and authority to enter into this
Agreement and to perform its obligations hereunder. The person executing this
Agreement on behalf of BION has full power and authority to enter into this
Agreement, and any consent required as a condition thereto has been obtained.

9.2 Enforceability. This Agreement constitutes the valid and legally binding
obligation of BION, enforceable against BION in accordance with its terms.

9.3 BION. Basin Water and BION have no present intention of constructing any of
the facilities necessary to commercially exploit the technology owned by BION
because of current environmental laws, the results of research and development
conducted prior to the Effective Date, and competing technologies. Therefore,
due to uncertainties surrounding the future commercial viability of the BION
technology, Basin Water and BION have not entered into any contracts to sell any
interest in the technology or otherwise exploit the ownership of the technology
owned by BION.

10. Representations and Warranties of Opus Trust. In addition to any
representations and warranties made elsewhere in this Agreement, Opus Trust
hereby makes the following representations and warranties to Basin Water and
BION, as of the Effective Date and as of the Settlement Date:

10.1 Authorization. Opus Trust has the right, power and authority to enter into
this Agreement and to perform its obligations hereunder. The person executing
this Agreement on behalf of Opus Trust has full power and authority to enter
into this Agreement, and any consent required as a condition thereto has been
obtained.

10.2 Enforceability. This Agreement constitutes the valid and legally binding
obligation of Opus Trust, enforceable against Opus Trust in accordance with its
terms.

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10.3 Settling Claimants. Except for Opus Trust and Benowitz, no other person,
partnership, corporation, joint venture, limited liability company or other form
of organization or association of any kind has any right, title or interest in
or to the BION Stock or the Units.

11. Representations and Warranties of Benowitz. In addition to any
representations and warranties made elsewhere in this Agreement, Benowitz hereby
makes the following representations and warranties to Basin Water and BION, as
of the Effective Date and as of the Settlement Date:

11.1 Authorization. Benowitz is of legal age, under no legal disabilities and
competent to execute and deliver this Agreement and all other agreements
contemplated by this Agreement and to consummate the transactions herein and
therein contemplated and to perform his obligations hereunder and thereunder.
Benowitz has entered into this Agreement freely, without coercion of any kind
and after advice of competent legal counsel.

11.2 Enforceability. This Agreement constitutes the valid and legally binding
obligation of Benowitz, enforceable against Benowitz in accordance with its
terms.

11.3 Settling Claimants. Except for Opus Trust and Benowitz, no other person,
partnership, corporation, joint venture, limited liability company or other form
of organization or association of any kind has any right, title or interest in
or to the BION Stock or the Units.

12. Miscellaneous Provisions.

12.1 Further Actions. At any time and from time to time after the date hereof,
each Party agrees to take such actions and to execute and deliver such documents
as each other Party may reasonably request to effectuate the purposes of this
Agreement.

12.2 Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire understanding among
the Parties with respect to the matters set forth herein, and it supersedes all
prior or contemporaneous understandings or agreements among the Parties with
respect to the subject matter hereof, whether oral or written.

12.3 Notices. Any notice, approval, consent, waiver or other communication
required or permitted to be given or to be served upon any Party in connection
with this Agreement shall be in writing. Such notice shall be personally served,
sent by facsimile, sent prepaid by registered or certified mail with return
receipt requested, or sent by reputable overnight delivery service, such as
Federal Express, and shall be deemed given: (a) if personally served, when
delivered to the Party to whom such notice is addressed; (b) if given by
facsimile, when sent, provided that the confirmation sheet from the sending fax
machine confirms that the total number of pages were successfully transmitted;
(c) if given by prepaid or certified mail with return receipt requested, on the
date of execution of the return receipt; (d) if sent by reputable overnight
delivery service, such as Federal Express, when received; or (e) if sent by
electronic mail (i.e., email), when received, provided that the email is not
returned as undeliverable and a “hard copy” is sent by first class mail, postage
prepaid. Such notices shall be addressed to the Party to whom such notice is to
be given at the address set forth below, or as such Party shall otherwise direct
in a writing to the other Parties delivered or sent in accordance with this
Section.

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If to Basin Water or BION, to   

Basin Water, Inc.

9302 Pittsburgh Avenue, Suite 210

Rancho Cucamonga, CA. 91730

Attn: Michael M. Stark, President

Fax No.: (909) 481-6801

Email: mikestark@basinwater.com

If to Opus Trust, to:   

IFG Trust Services

Attention Daniel MacMullin

Suite 4, Temple Building

Main and Prince William Street Charleston,

Nevis, British West Indies (BWI)

With a copy, to:   

Martin Benowitz

1905 Diamond Street, Suite B

San Marcos, CA. 92078

Fax No.: (760) 591-0012

Email: lordpuffer@sbcglobal.net

If to Benowitz, to:   

1905 Diamond Street, Suite B

San Marcos, CA. 92078

Attn: Martin Benowitz, individually and as

Trustee of the Martin A. Benowitz Qualified

Profit Sharing Plan

Fax No.: (760) 591-0012

Email: lordpuffer@sbcglobal.net

12.4 Controlling Law. This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed and
interpreted in accordance with, the laws of the State of California, without
giving effect to any choice-of-law or conflicts-of-laws rule or principle that
would result in the application of any other laws.

12.5 Headings. Headings, titles and captions are for convenience only and shall
not constitute a portion of this Agreement or be used for the interpretation
thereof.

12.6 Cumulative Rights; Waiver. The rights created under this Agreement, or by
law or equity, shall be cumulative and may be exercised at any time and from
time to time. No failure by any Party to exercise any right and no delay or
omission on the part of any Party in exercising any right shall be construed or
deemed to be a waiver thereof or shall operate as a waiver of any such right or
any other right under this Agreement, nor shall any single or partial exercise
by any Party preclude any other or future exercise thereof or the exercise of
any other right. Any waiver of any provision or of any breach of any provision
of this Agreement must be in writing, and any waiver by any Party of any breach
of any provision of this Agreement shall not operate as or be construed to be a
waiver of any other breach of that provision or of any breach of any other
provision of this Agreement. The failure of any Party to insist upon strict
adherence to any term of this Agreement on one or more occasions shall not be
considered a waiver of any provision or any breach of any provision of this
Agreement or deprive that Party of the right thereafter to insist upon strict
adherence to that provision or any other provision of this Agreement.

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12.7 Liberal Construction. This Agreement constitutes a fully-negotiated
agreement among commercially sophisticated Parties, each assisted by legal
counsel, and the terms of this Agreement shall not be construed or interpreted
for or against any Party hereto because that Party or its legal representative
drafted or prepared such provision.

12.8 No Third Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement does not create, and shall not
be construed to create, any rights enforceable by any person, partnership,
corporation, joint venture, limited liability company or other form of
organization or association of any kind that is not a party to this Agreement.

12.9 Execution in Counterparts; Facsimile Signatures. This Agreement may be
executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of
which together shall constitute one and the same instrument. The signature page
of any counterpart may be detached therefrom without impairing the legal effect
of the signature(s) thereon, provided such signature page is attached to any
other counterpart identical thereto except for having an additional signature
page executed by the other Party. Each Party agrees that each other Party may
rely upon the facsimile signature of a Party on this Agreement as constituting a
duly authorized, irrevocable, actual, current delivery of this Agreement as
fully as if this Agreement contained the original ink signature of the Party
supplying a facsimile signature.

12.10 Number. Where a word or phrase is defined in this Agreement, its other
grammatical forms have a corresponding meaning. As used herein, and as the
circumstances require, the plural term shall include the singular and the
singular shall include the plural.

12.11 Assignment. Neither this Agreement nor any of the rights, interests, or
obligations hereunder may be assigned by any Party without each other Party’s
prior written consent, which shall not be unreasonably withheld, and any
assignment of this Agreement or any of the rights, interests, or obligations
hereunder shall be of no force or effect until the proposed assignee agrees in
writing to be bound by all of the terms and conditions of this Agreement and
such signed writing is delivered to the non-assigning Party or Parties. Subject
to the foregoing restrictions, and to the transfer restrictions contained
elsewhere in this Agreement, the provisions of this Agreement shall be binding
upon and inure to the benefit of all affiliates, subsidiaries, assigns, and
successors-in-interest of the Parties.

12.12 Dispute Resolution. Any and all disputes, controversies and conflicts
among the Parties arising out of, related to or connected with this Agreement (a
“Controversy”) shall, so far as is possible, be settled amicably among the
Parties. This Section sets forth a formal process for seeking to resolve
Controversies amicably. To invoke that formal process, one Party must give the
other Parties a written notice of the Controversy alluding to and invoking this
Section. That notice shall include a detailed explanation of the nature of the
Controversy. Beginning seven (7) days after a Party gives such a notice, the
Parties shall use their commercially reasonable efforts to meet and confer to
resolve the Controversy.

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If a Controversy is not resolved as set forth above, then the Parties shall
proceed to non-binding mediation in an effort to resolve their Controversy. Any
such mediation shall be conducted in San Diego, California before one
(1) mediator, within thirty (30) days after the Parties’ failure to resolve the
Controversy by meeting and conferring as aforesaid. The mediator will be chosen
by agreement of the Parties. However, if the Parties fail to resolve their
Controversy following such non-binding mediation, then the Parties may arbitrate
their Controversy in accordance with this Section.

Any Controversy not resolved as set forth above shall be resolved solely by
arbitration in accordance with this Section. Any such arbitration shall be
conducted in San Diego, California before one (1) arbitrator. The arbitrator
will be chosen by agreement of the Parties. However, if the Parties fail to
reach agreement within ten (10) days after service of the demand for
arbitration, the arbitrator shall be appointed by the presiding judge of the
California Superior Court for the City and County of San Diego. Any arbitration
shall be conducted in accordance with California Code of Civil Procedure
Sections 1280 through 1287.6, as then in effect, subject, however, to the next
paragraph of this Section.

In no event shall a demand for arbitration be made after the date that
institution of legal proceedings based on the Controversy would be barred by the
applicable statute of limitations. The arbitrator must be a former or retired
judge or attorney with at least ten (10) years experience in commercial business
law. California Code of Civil Procedure Section 1283.05, permitting expanded
discovery, shall be applicable to the Dispute. At the arbitration hearing, each
Party shall be allowed to present testimony and tangible evidence and to
cross-examine each of the other Party’s witnesses. All proceedings involving the
Parties shall be reported by a certified shorthand court reporter. Written
transcripts of the proceedings will be prepared and made available to the
Parties. The arbitrator shall prepare written factual findings and provide them
to the Parties, along with the reasons on which the decision of the arbitrator
is based. The arbitrator shall not have any power to add to, modify or alter
this Agreement or any amendments to this Agreement. The arbitrator shall render
his or her final decision within thirty (30) days after the arbitration
proceedings are initiated. The prevailing Party shall be awarded reasonable
attorneys’ fees and costs (including attorneys’ fees and costs incurred in
enforcing any judgment), reasonable expert and non-expert witness costs and
expenses, and other costs and expenses incurred in connection with the
arbitration, unless the arbitrator determines otherwise for good cause. The
costs and fees of the arbitrator shall be borne by the non-prevailing Party,
unless the arbitrator determines otherwise for good cause. The award or decision
of the arbitrator may include equitable relief, and shall be final and
non-appealable. Judgment may be entered on the award in accordance with
applicable law in any court having jurisdiction over the matter.

12.13 Attorneys’ Fees. All Parties shall bear all of their respective costs and
expenses associated with the Dispute, including but not limited to attorneys’
fees and costs incurred. No Party to this Agreement shall be required to make
any payment relating to the Dispute other than the Settlement Payment
specifically provided for in Section 1 above. If a controversy arises in
relation to claimed breach of this Agreement or an enforcement action relating
to the Dispute, the prevailing Party shall be entitled to recover its costs of
arbitration, including attorneys’ fees and costs, from the non-prevailing Party,
in accordance with Section 12.12 above.

12.14 Non-Disparagement. The Parties, on their behalf and on behalf of the Opus
Trust Releasing Parties and the Basin Releasing Parties, agree that they shall
not make negative reference to the character or the business reputation of the
Parties, the Opus Trust Releasing Parties or the Basin Releasing Parties. This
obligation excludes communications compelled by law or as may occur internally
among employees of the respective Parties or affiliated entities.

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have executed this Agreement as of the date
first above written.

 

“Basin Water” Basin Water, Inc., a Delaware corporation By:   /s/ Michael M.
Stark   Michael M. Stark, CEO and President “BION” BionBasin, Inc., a Delaware
corporation By:   /s/ Michael M. Stark   Michael M. Stark, CEO and President
“Opus Trust” Opus Trust, Inc., a Nevis corporation By:   /s/ Daniel MacMullin  
Daniel MacMullin, Director “Plan” Martin A. Benowitz Qualified Profit Sharing
Plan By:   /s/ Martin A. Benowitz   Martin A. Benowitz, Trustee /s/ Martin A.
Benowitz Martin A. Benowitz, an individual

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EXHIBIT “A”

STOCK ASSIGNMENT SEPARATE FROM CERTIFICATE

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned hereby grants, assigns, and transfers unto
Opus Trust, Inc., a Nevis corporation, one hundred fifty thousand
(150,000) Shares of the Common Stock of Empire Water Corporation (“EWC”),
standing in the name of Basin Water Resources, Inc., a Delaware corporation, on
the books of EWC, represented by certificate No. 0200 herewith, and does hereby
irrevocably constitute and appoint the corporate secretary of EWC as
attorney-in-fact, to transfer the stock on the books of EWC with full power of
substitution.

Dated: February 4, 2009

 

Basin Water Resources, Inc., a Delaware

corporation

By:   /s/ Michael M. Stark Its:   President

 

In the presence of: /s/ Kathleen Vierck Kathleen Vierck [Print name]

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EXHIBIT “B”

STOCK ASSIGNMENT SEPARATE FROM CERTIFICATE

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned hereby grants, assigns, and transfers unto
Basin Water, Inc., a Delaware corporation, five hundred thousand
(500,000) Shares of the Common Stock of BionBasin, Inc., a Delaware corporation
(“BION”), standing in the name of Opus Trust, Inc., a Nevis corporation, on the
books of BION, represented by certificate No. 2 herewith, and does hereby
irrevocably constitute and appoint the corporate secretary of BION as
attorney-in-fact, to transfer the stock on the books of BION with full power of
substitution.

Dated: February 4, 2009

 

Opus Trust, Inc., a Nevis corporation By:   /s/ Daniel MacMullin   Daniel
MacMullin, Director

 

In the presence of: /s/ Carol Ann English Carol Ann English [Print name]

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EXHIBIT “C”

TITLE TRANSFER

THIS TITLE TRANSFER (this “Title Transfer”) is made and delivered this 5th day
of February, 2009, by Opus Trust, Inc., a Nevis corporation (“Opus Trust”) for
the benefit of Basin Water, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Basin”).

1. Opus Trust does hereby bargain, sell, grant, assign, transfer, convey and
deliver unto Basin, and its successors and assigns, for their use forever, all
of Opus Trust’s right, title and interest in and to those certain two (2),
standard 800 gallons per minute perchlorate systems, which are commonly known as
Salinas Unit #15 and Salinas Unit #108.

2. This Title Transfer shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the
parties thereto and their respective successors and assigns.

3. This Title Transfer shall be governed by, and construed and interpreted in
accordance with, the laws of the State of California, without giving effect to
any choice-of-law or conflicts-of-laws rule or principle that would result in
the application of any other laws.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Opus Trust has caused this Title Transfer to be executed and
delivered as of the day and year first above written.

 

Opus Trust, Inc., a Nevis corporation By:   /s/ Daniel MacMullin   Daniel
MacMullin, Director