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California Water Service Group

cwt · NYSE Utilities
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Ticker cwt
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Industry Regulated Water
Employees 1001-5000
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FY2006 Annual Report · California Water Service Group
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H A WAII 

behind the scenes.

2006 Annual Report

California Water Service Group
1720 North First Street
San Jose, California 95112-4598
(408) 367-8200
www.calwatergroup.com
NYSE: CWT

N

E W   M EX

I

C

O

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
financial highlights

Year ended December 31                   2006          2005          2004            2003          2002

Market price at year-end               $   40.40    $   38.23    $    37.65     $    27.40     $   23.65

Book value                                       18.31         15.98         15.66           14.44          13.12

Earnings per share (diluted)                 1.34            1.47             1.46             1.21            1.25

Dividends per share                          1.150          1.140          1.130           1.125          1.120

Revenue                                       334,717     320,728     315,567       277,128     263,151

Net income                                     25,580       27,223        26,026         19,417       19,073

company over view

California Water Service Group (NYSE: CWT) is the second largest investor-owned water 

utility in the United States, providing  high-quality water utility services to more than 2 million  

people in 100 communities through five subsidiaries: California Water Service Company  

(Cal Water), Hawaii Water Service Company, Inc. (Hawaii Water), New Mexico Water Service 

Company (New Mexico Water), Washington Water Service Company (Washington Water),  

and  CWS  Utility  Services  (Utility  Services).  Cal  Water,  Hawaii  Water,  New  Mexico  Water, 

and  Washington  Water  provide  regulated  water  utility  services,  while  Utility  Services  

conducts the Company’s non-regulated business, which includes providing billing, water 

quality  testing,  and  water  system  operations  and  management  services  to  cities  and  

other companies.

Table of Contents

Behind the Scenes Editorial  1

20 -Year Return on Investment  2

Letter to Stockholders  24

Ten-Year Financial Review  32

Customer Service Areas  34

Service Area Map  35

Board of Directors  36

Corporate Officers  38

corporate information
corporate information

Stock Transfer, Dividend Disbursing, and Reinvestment Agent
Stock Transfer, Dividend Disbursing, and Reinvestment Agent
American Stock Transfer and Trust Company
American Stock Transfer and Trust Company
57 Maiden Lane
57 Maiden Lane
New York, NY 10038
New York, NY 10038
(800) 937-5449
(800) 937-5449

To Transfer Stock
To Transfer Stock
A change of ownership of shares (such as when stock is sold or gifted or when owners are deleted from or 
A change of ownership of shares (such as when stock is sold or gifted or when owners are deleted from or 
added to stock certificates) requires a transfer of stock. To transfer stock, the owner must complete the assign-
added to stock certificates) requires a transfer of stock. To transfer stock, the owner must complete the assign-
ment on the back of the certificate and sign it exactly as his or her name appears on the front. This signature 
ment on the back of the certificate and sign it exactly as his or her name appears on the front. This signature 
must be guaranteed by an eligible guarantor institution (banks, stock brokers, savings and loan associations 
must be guaranteed by an eligible guarantor institution (banks, stock brokers, savings and loan associations 
and credit unions with membership in approved signature medallion programs) pursuant to SEC Rule 17Ad-15. 
and credit unions with membership in approved signature medallion programs) pursuant to SEC Rule 17Ad-15. 
A notary’s acknowledgement is not acceptable. This certificate should then be sent to American Stock Transfer 
A notary’s acknowledgement is not acceptable. This certificate should then be sent to American Stock Transfer 
and Trust Company, by registered or certified mail with complete transfer instructions.
and Trust Company, by registered or certified mail with complete transfer instructions.

Bond Registrar
Bond Registrar
US Bank Trust, N.A.
US Bank Trust, N.A.
One California Street
One California Street
San Francisco, CA 94111-5402
San Francisco, CA 94111-5402
(415) 273-4580
(415) 273-4580

Executive Office
Executive Office
California Water Service Group
California Water Service Group
1720 North First Street
1720 North First Street
San Jose, CA 95112-4598
San Jose, CA 95112-4598
(408) 367-8200
(408) 367-8200

Annual Meeting
Annual Meeting
The Annual Meeting of Stockholders will be held on Wednesday, April 25, 2007 at 9:30 a.m. at the Company’s 
The Annual Meeting of Stockholders will be held on Wednesday, April 25, 2007 at 9:30 a.m. at the Company’s 
Executive  Office,  located  at  1720  North  First  Street  in  San  Jose,  California.  Details  of  the  business  to  be 
Executive  Office,  located  at  1720  North  First  Street  in  San  Jose,  California.  Details  of  the  business  to  be 
transacted during the meeting will be contained in the proxy material, which will be mailed to stockholders on 
transacted during the meeting will be contained in the proxy material, which will be mailed to stockholders on 
or about March 23, 2007.
or about March 23, 2007.

Dividend Dates For 2007
Dividend Dates For 2007

Quarter       Declaration       Record Date        Payment Date
Quarter       Declaration       Record Date        Payment Date
First            January 24       February 5          February 16
First            January 24       February 5          February 16
Second        April 25            May 7                 May 18
Second        April 25            May 7                 May 18
Third           July 25              August 6             August 17
Third           July 25              August 6             August 17
Fourth         October 24        November 5        November 16
Fourth         October 24        November 5        November 16

Annual Report For 2006 On Form 10-K
Annual Report For 2006 On Form 10-K
A copy of the Company’s report for 2006 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on Form 10-K 
A copy of the Company’s report for 2006 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on Form 10-K 
will be available in March 2007 and can be obtained by any stockholder at no charge upon written request to 
will be available in March 2007 and can be obtained by any stockholder at no charge upon written request to 
the address below. The Company’s filings with the SEC can be viewed via the link to the SEC’s EDGAR system 
the address below. The Company’s filings with the SEC can be viewed via the link to the SEC’s EDGAR system 
on the Company’s web site.
on the Company’s web site.

Stockholder Information
Stockholder Information
California Water Service Group
California Water Service Group
Attn: Stockholder Relations
Attn: Stockholder Relations
1720 North First Street
1720 North First Street
San Jose, CA 95112-4598
San Jose, CA 95112-4598
(408) 367-8200 or (800) 750-8200
(408) 367-8200 or (800) 750-8200
http://www.calwatergroup.com
http://www.calwatergroup.com

Water – it’s life’s key 
ingredient, but often, 
we take it for granted. 
This year, we take you 
behind the scenes to 
see what it takes to 
ensure that customers 
have a reliable supply 
of high-quality water, 
24 hours per day, 
7 days per week.  

Behind the Scenes / 1

CWT 20-year total return on investment
(On Stock Purchased December 31, 1986, with Dividends Reinvested)

$1000 

$900 

$800 

$700 

$600 

$500 

$400 

$300 

$200 

$100 

$0 

   1987  1988  1989   1990  1991  1992  1993  1994  1995  1996  1997  1998  1999  2000  2001  2002  2003  2004  2005  2006

You’ll see that water 
does not magically 
appear at the turn of 
a faucet; it is delivered 
through a carefully 
planned and well-
maintained system, 
after being collected, 
treated, tested, and 
delivered by our team 
of dedicated, industry-
leading professionals.

Behind the Scenes / 2 & 3

6:14a.m.

You are   

  awakened from a deep

Behind the Scenes / 4 & 5

sleep by your radio 
alarm clock. After tap-
ping the “snooze” button 
a few times, you shuffl e 
into the bathroom and 
turn on the shower. 
There, under the spray 
of hot water, you begin 
to feel ready to face 
the day – just as soon 
as you’ve had your 
morning coffee.

Meanwhile, at 6:14 a.m., Cal Water employee Dave Kirsling turns a valve at the outlet structure of the Bear Gulch 

reservoir, the collection point for water that accumulates in the Company’s 1,300-acre watershed and fl ows to the 

reservoir through the Bear Gulch Creek. After being released from the reservoir, the water is sent to the treatment 

plant, where it goes through a multi-barrier treatment process that culminates with exposure to ultraviolet light. It is 

one of the fi rst and largest drinking water treatment plants using this technology in California, and because it’s there, 

you can savor that morning shower – and cup of coffee – with the assurance that your water meets stringent state and 

federal water quality standards.      

Behind the Scenes / 6 & 7

9:08a.m.You volunteered

Behind the Scenes / 8 & 9

to take a vacation 
to look after the kids 
during their spring 
break from school, but 
you realize that after 
the week is over, you’re 
going to need another 
week off to recover.  
As you make your way 
through bedrooms pick-
ing clothes up off the   

fl oor, you remember that your daughter has a soccer game this afternoon. You load the basket with her uniform, among 

other things, and prepare to wash a load of laundry... At 9:08 a.m., Matt Menezes descends a ladder to inspect a new 

storage tank before it is fi lled with water. Company-wide, we have 520 tanks that can store a total of 267 million gallons 

of water, enough water to fi ll the Rose Bowl to the rim more than three times. At a capacity of 165,000 gallons, this one 

is relatively small, but it is equipped with a new check-valve system that promotes circulation of the water, which in turn 

enhances water quality. Investing in new tanks, and maintaining existing ones, enables us to store water for delivery 

during times of day when customer usage peaks.  It also provides an emergency supply that can be used to fi ght fi res or 

continue providing water if a power outage affects the operation of our wells and pumps. That means when you hit the 

“start” button on your washing machine, you know that you’ll have a clean soccer uniform ready in time for the game, 

no matter what time of day it is.

Behind the Scenes / 10 & 11

11:47a.m. This morning

Behind the Scenes / 12 & 13

your grandson called 
to remind you of the 
date –as if you needed 
a reminder. It is his 
eighth birthday, and 
he wants to be sure 
you are making your 
“special cake.” Of 
course you are, you tell 
him. After you hang up, 

you laugh, tickled that he is so enamored with your “special cake”-- a simple cake mix (just add water and eggs) topped 

with plenty of frosting and colored sprinkles... At 11:47 a.m., Darlene Hudler analyzes a water sample at the Company’s 

state-certifi ed water quality laboratory. She is part of the team of chemists and microbiologists responsible for testing 

more than 70,000 water samples each year for 310,000 compounds. Here, in the “inorganic section” of the laboratory, 

chemists use various methods, and a quarter-of-a-million-dollar Inductive Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrophotometer, to 

test the water for elements such as iron. Of course, you don’t want to think about elements like iron. But because we 

do, you can feel comfortable giving your grandson, and his friends, seconds of your “special cake.”

Behind the Scenes / 14 & 15

5:12p.m.

You sip a

Behind the Scenes / 16 & 17

glass of iced tea as 
you sit on the patio and 
watch the kids play tag 
in the soft, green grass. 
You think about the fact 
that so many of your  

family’s best memories–of summer picnics, Easter egg hunts, and even a small wedding–were made in this backyard. 

It’s your little refuge from the world, and you can’t imagine your family living without it... At 5:12 p.m., Lenny Carrasco 

checks the calibration of the Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition program, which is used to monitor and control 

the water system remotely via laptop computers. Moving water from the source to the customer requires large, power-

ful pumps. The ones that Lenny is checking are equipped with a unique variable-frequency drive, which causes them 

to  speed  up  or  slow  down  automatically  based  on  customer  demand.  This  ensures  that  customers  receive  steady, 

consistent water pressure. Why should this matter? Because it helps ensure that the farthest corners of your lawn will 

get water, even if you turn the sprinklers on at the same time as everybody else in your neighborhood.

Behind the Scenes / 18 & 19

10:52p.m.

 You are   

 tucked in and ready for

Behind the Scenes / 20 & 21

a good night’s sleep.  
You take a drink of 
water from the glass 
on your nightstand and 
turn off your reading 
lamp. Unfortunately, 
you can’t turn off your 
mind. So your thoughts 
drift to the work project

you’ve put off, your kid’s chemistry grade, and your inability to remember the name of a particular song that played 

at your high school prom. One thing that doesn’t keep you awake is concern about your water... At 10:52 p.m., Sean 

Cabuag checks water quality after making an emergency repair to the water system. Throughout the company, we have 

professionals standing by, ready to respond to after-hours emergency calls. So if a customer needs us to investigate a 

leak, a water quality concern, a change in water pressure, or any other urgent matter in the middle of the night, we are 

ready. And now, we also offer an optional, non-regulated service called Extended Service Protection, through which we 

make repairs to the customer’s water line from the meter to the house. It’s just one more way that we provide customers 

peace of mind, ensuring that they don’t lose sleep worrying about their water.           

Behind the Scenes / 22 & 23

           
to our stockholders

For decades, the water utility industry referred to itself as the “silent service.” 

We  went  about  our  business ---securing  water  supplies,  planning  and  build-

ing  infrastructure,  treating  and  testing  the  water  for  quality,  and  delivering 

it  to  our  customers --- without  much  fanfare.    The  result  of  this  low-profi le  ap-

proach  is  that  many  of  our  customers  have  little  idea  how  valuable  our  ser-

vices are. Water costs a fraction of a penny per gallon, a unit price that is con-

siderably  lower  than  those  of  other  necessities,  such  as  food,  gasoline,  and 

other  utilities,  and  about  one  thousand  times  lower  than  the  cost  of  bottled 

water. In fact, water rates in the United States are among the lowest in the world. 

And yet, what could be more important, more valuable, than water? As reporter 

Michael Specter wrote in the October 2006 issue of the New Yorker magazine, 

“It is a fact of the human condition that we can achieve none of our goals without 

water.”  Although  water  may  continue  to  be  a  bargain,  it  need  not  be  under-

valued. That is why we have invited you behind the scenes, to see for yourself 

what it takes to provide high-quality, reliable water service to our customers.

As a stockholder, you play an important role by investing 

in the infrastructure that is essential to providing life’s key 

ingredient, 24 hours per day, seven days per week. 

11:00 a.m. A stockholder retrieves her mail and fi nds a 

dividend check from California Water Service Group. At 

the same time, our team is making strategic decisions to 

increase the value of that stockholder’s investment.

Financial Results

The total return on your investment in California Water 

Ser vice Group increased nearly 9% in 2006, as annual 

dividends  increased  for  the  39th  consecutive  year 

to  $1.15  per  share  (at  a  yield  of  approximately  3%) 

6.28%

Five-year
compound annual
growth rate

Left to right:

Peter C. Nelson,
President and Chief Executive Offi cer

Robert W. Foy,
Chairman of the Board

and  stock  price  rose  6%  to  $40.40  per  share  as  of 

December 31, 2006.  

Earnings  per  share  were  $1.34  and  net  income  was 

$25.6 million, compared to earnings per share of $1.47 

and  net  income  of  $27.2  million  for  2005.  Revenues 

were  up  4%  to  $334.7  million,  with  rate  increases 

adding  $10.1  million  to  2006  revenues,  sales  to  new 

customers  adding  $3.1  million,  and  sales  to  existing 

customers  adding  $0.8  million.  Decreases  in  earn-

ings  and  net  income  were  due  in  part  to  the  impacts 

of  wet  weather  in  the  fi rst  six  months  of  the  year  and 

the issuance of 2.25 million shares of stock in 2006. 

Additionally,  we  experienced  expense  increases  in 

several categories.

Stockholder Letter / 24 & 25

1.120

1.125

1.130

1.140

1.150

2:00 p.m. A new homeowner turns on a faucet and fi nds 

that  his  water  service  has  been  started,  just  as  Cal 

Water’s  professional  customer  service  representative 

said  it  would.  Meanwhile,  employees  throughout  the 

Company are executing a four-pronged strategy that will 

positively affect that homeowner for years to come.

Our Four-pronged Strategy For 2007 And Beyond

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

1.  Intense Focus on Regulatory Matters

Five-Year Dividend Growth

The Water Action Plan is truly a milestone for our industry, 

because it sets the course for future water regulation 

and  formally  establishes  the  California  Public  Utilities 

Commission’s commitment to fair and balanced policy-

making. Supporting  four  key  principles—safe,  high-

quality  water;  highly  reliable  water  supplies;  effi cient 

The California Public Utilities Commission sets customer 

use  of  water;  and  reasonable  rates  and  viable  water 

rates  in  each  of  our  24  service  areas  on  a  staggered 

utilities—the Plan refl ects the best practices of utilities 

basis once every three years. As a result, under current 

commissions across the country. More importantly, in 

regulatory  rules,  prudently  incurred  and  reasonable  in-

2006,  the  Commission  made  several  decisions  that 

creases in certain expenses, such as those associated 

clearly  demonstrated  its  commitment  to  implementing 

with employee health and welfare plans and mandatory 

the Plan:

compliance  with  Sarbanes-Oxley  (SOX)  requirements, 

take  several  years  to  be  fully  refl ected  in  rates.  This 

• The Commission repealed W-1, the decision that pre-

delay,  known  in  the  utility  industry  as  “regulatory  lag,” 

cluded California water utilities from recovering certain 

affected 2006 results. The good news is that we believe 

prudently incurred expenses in rates. 

that  this  type  of  expense  increase  will  be  recovered  in 

future years in a timelier manner, thanks to the California 

•  It  issued  the  “Order  Instituting  Rulemaking  on 

Public  Utilities  Commission’s  adoption  of  the  Water 

the  General  Rate  Case  Plan,”  the  goal  of  which  is 

Action Plan. 

to  streamline  the  process  and  reduce  regulatory 

plan to fi le General Rate Cases for all 24 California districts as well as the Company 

headquarters  in  2007,  which,  if  approved,  will  allow  company-wide  expense 

increases to be recovered in all service areas more quickly than they would if 

they were phased-in in three-year rate case cycles.

• It accepted our application for a Revenue Adjustment Mechanism. If approved, 

it will enable us to promote water conservation more effectively and lessen the short-

term impacts of conservation and weather on our revenue.  

• It approved a Rate Support Fund and a Low-Income Ratepayer Assistance pro-

gram  to  soften  the  impact  of  necessary  water  system  improvement  costs  on 

certain vulnerable customers. 

Considering these positive developments, and the timely conclusion of the eight 

General Rate Cases fi led in 2005 and approved in 2006, we are optimistic that 

regulation in California will continue to improve. Going forward, we will continue 

to work diligently to seek innovative solutions in support of the Commission’s 

stated purpose of protecting customers’ best interests while ensuring the fi nan-

cial viability of the water utilities that serve them.

Our strategy has been, and will continue to be, predicated on the notion that the 

two goals are not mutually exclusive; that is, we believe that we can and should 

achieve excellence in customer service and provide value to our stockholders.

2.  Continuing Emphasis on Customer Service and Water Quality

It is our focus on the customer that sets us apart. In 2006, we upgraded our 

Customer Information System to enable our Customer Service Representatives 

to serve customers better when they need assistance, and we implemented a 

company-wide, advanced training program for Customer Service Representatives 

to ensure that each has the skills and knowledge necessary to meet customers’ 

8.7%

total return
in
2006

Stockholder Letter / 26 & 27

needs the fi rst time they call. Results of customer surveys completed in 2006 

indicate  that  we  are  on  the  right  track,  as  91.6%  of  respondents  ranked  our 

overall service as “excellent or very good.”  

In 2007, we will upgrade our electronic billing site and make it easier to navi-

gate.  More customers than ever opted to pay their bills electronically in 2006, 

and  with  the  upgrade,  we  expect  even  greater  participation.  Other  customer 

service-related plans for 2007 include implementation of a new cash-handling 

technology; provision of a new, no-fee credit card online payment option; and 

introduction  of  a  new  customer  service  management  training  and  develop-

ment program. These initiatives, combined with our ongoing commitment to the 

Continuous Improvement approach to the business, will keep us at the forefront 

in providing excellent customer service.  

Providing  high-quality  water  is  an  integral  part  of  our  service,  and  we  con-

tinue  to  make  customer  health  and  safety  our  highest  priority.  In  2006, 

our  lab  earned  its  annual  accreditation  from  the  Environmental  Laboratory 

Accreditation  Program  of  the  state  of  California,  one  of  the  toughest  cer-

tifi cations  to  attain  in  the  United  States.  Our  Water  Quality  Department 

also  leads  the  industry  in  compliance  planning,  and  it  made  great  strides  in 

2006 in preparing to meet future standards, including the Groundwater Rule, 

the  Stage  2  Disinfectants/Disinfection  By-Product  Rule,  the  Long-Term  2 

Enhanced  Surface  Water  Treatment  Rule,  and  the  Unregulated  Contaminant 

Monitoring Rule 2.

It is our employees’ expertise and dedication that make us leaders in the in-

dustry, and they play a key role in protecting our service areas. We are happy to 

report that in 2006, the City of Visalia decided after studying the issue that it 

would not start its own water system to serve new developments, due largely to 

its recognition of Cal Water’s expertise, resources, and performance record. 

91.6%

ranked service
“excellent or
very good”

3.  Disciplined Approach to Growth

Like all of our Central Valley service areas, our Visalia 

District  is  experiencing  high  growth  rates.  In  2006,  it 

added 2,000 new customers. In total, we added 5,000 

customers in existing service areas in 2006.  

As  for  acquisitions,  only  one  met  our  strict  criteria 

in  2006.  In  August,  we  completed  the  acquisition  of 

the assets of the Independent Utility Company, which 

has added 400 metered connections 15 miles east of 

Albuquerque,  New  Mexico.  In  2007  and  beyond,  we 

will  continue  to  pursue  quality  systems  that  comple-

ment  our  core  business  and  increase  value  for  our 

stockholders.

13.12

14.44

15.66

15.98

18.31

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

Five-Year Book Value

On  the  non-regulated  side  of  the  business,  our  new 

water line. I know if I had to pay for the repairs out of 

Extended  Service  Protection  (ESP)  program  was  very 

pocket, it would have been very expensive.” 

well received. More customers than anticipated signed 

up  for  this  voluntary  program,  introduced  throughout 

Perhaps the most signifi cant source of growth in a reg-

California  in  2006.  For  a  monthly  fee  of  $4.95,  we 

ulated  utility  such  as  ours  is  our  investment  in  water 

repair or replace the portion of the water line that is 

system infrastructure. Because we earn a return on in-

the customer’s responsibility if it is damaged by tree 

vested capital, our return grows when we invest more in 

roots, age, earthquakes, or freezing temperatures. Not 

improvements that benefi t our customers. In 2006, we 

only does ESP add to non-regulated revenues, it also 

spent  $86  million  on  capital  projects,  including  a  new 

provides a valuable service that customers truly appre-

treatment plant in Bakersfi eld, an arsenic standard com-

ciate. As one customer said of signing up, “I decided 

pliance project in Stockton, and 10 new wells. Our capital 

to err on the side of caution, because I was very re-

budget for 2007 is expected to exceed $80 million, and 

cently widowed and there was also a very large tree in 

an  upward  trend  for  2008  and  beyond  is  likely,  as  we 

my front yard. I’m so glad I signed up for ESP; it helped 

continue to replace aging infrastructure and enhance our 

tremendously  when  that  tree’s  roots  destroyed  my 

systems to meet new water quality standards.  

Stockholder Letter / 28 & 29

696,988

759,498

800,305

862,731

941,475

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

Five-Year Net Utility Plant

4.  Prudent Fiscal Management 

fund capital programs that are approved by our utilities 

commissions provides a means by which our stockhold-

ers can earn a fair rate of return and helps improve fi -

nancial performance in future periods.  As of December 

31, we had $941 million in net utility plant assets, up 

9% from 2005, and our market capitalization was $835 

million, up from $703 million for the previous year.   

Another key development in 2006 was the even greater 

interest that we generated on Wall Street.  During 2006, 

three additional fi nancial fi rms initiated research cover-

age of our company, bringing our total to seven. Increas-

ing  coverage  of  our  company  opens  up  new  channels 

through which we can communicate with retail and insti-

tutional investors; this ultimately assists us in improving 

liquidity and ensuring that we have the means to raise 

capital to fund our operations and provide the excellent 

As is the case with each element of our strategy, pru-

service for which we are known.  

dent fi scal management is a performance measure that 

affects  both  customers  and  stockholders.  Operating 

At  this  minute,  you  are  nearing  the  end  of  our  letter. 

effi ciently and using resources wisely ensures that we 

And we are preparing to overcome any challenges that 

continue  to  provide  excellent  service  and  high-quality 

lay ahead.

water at reasonable rates while building long-term stock-

holder value.

Outlook For 2007 And Beyond

In 2006, we raised gross proceeds of $104.7 million by 

The coming years will no doubt present challenges, in-

issuing 2.25 million shares of common stock and $20 

cluding the time that it will take to fully implement the 

million in long-term debt, a move that strengthened our 

California  Public  Utilities  Commission’s  Water  Action 

balance sheet and enabled us to fund our capital invest-

Plan and recover higher expenses associated with health 

ment programs. Prudently issuing equity to help 

care, pensions, and Sarbanes-Oxley compliance. 

We are confi dent that we are capable of overcoming challenges that arise. Next 

year, we will seize the opportunity to fi le rate cases for every California operation, 

and  if  we  are  successful,  we  will  signifi cantly  reduce  the  time  it  takes  to  fully 

recover reasonable expense increases. We will pursue growth opportunities that 

benefi t customers and add value to stockholders. We will continue to evaluate 

and improve the way we do business to increase effi ciency. And we will remain 

focused on our strategy, which has proven successful in both favorable and unfa-

vorable business climates.  

Most  importantly,  we  can  take  pride  in  the  value  of  the  services  we  provide, 

services that you make possible as a stockholder in the company. As the largest 

investor-owned water utility in the state, we stand to gain much from anticipated 

improvements in California utility regulation. This, combined with our reputation 

for providing excellent customer service, positions us well for future success.

We wish you the best in 2007 and thank you for your continued investment in 

California Water Service Group.  

Robert W. Foy 
Chairman of the Board

Peter C. Nelson
President and Chief Executive Offi cer

Stockholder Letter / 30 & 31

ten-year fi nancial review

Dollars in thousands, except common share data 

2006 

2005 

2004

Summary of Operations 
Operating revenue 

Residential 
Business 
Industrial 
Public authorities 
Other 

Total operating revenue 
Operating expenses 
Interest expense, other income and expenses, net 

Net income 

Common Share Data 
Earnings per share - diluted 
Dividend declared 
Dividend payout ratio 
Book value 
Market price at year-end 
Common shares outstanding at year-end (in thousands) 
Return on average common stockholders’ equity 
Long-term debt interest coverage 

Balance Sheet Data 
Net utility plant 
Utility plant expenditures (company- & developer-funded) 
Total assets 
Long-term debt including current portion 
Capitalization ratios:

Common stockholders’ equity 
Preferred stock 
Long-term debt 

Other Data 
Water production (million gallons)
Wells and surface supply 
Purchased 
Total water production 
Metered customers 
Flat-rate customers 
Customers at year-end, including Hawthorne 
New customers added 
Revenue per customer 
Utility plant per customer 
Employees at year-end 

$  232,811 
60,366 
16,286 
15,728 
9,526 
334,717 
294,411 
14,726 
25,580 

$ 

$ 

$ 

1.34 
1.150 
86% 
18.31 
40.40 
20,657 
8.2% 
3.17 

$ 222,634 
56,962 
14,241 
14,965 
11,926 
320,728 
278,903 
14,602 
$  27,223 

$ 

$ 

1.47 
1.140 
78% 
15.98 
38.23 
18,390 
9.3% 
3.61 

$ 221,323 
55,803 
13,592 
15,118 
9,731 
315,567 
271,701
17,840 
$  26,026 

$ 

$ 

1.46 
1.130 
77%
15.66 
37.65 
18,367 
9.8%
3.38 

$  941,475 
112,279 
1,165,019 
293,592 

$ 862,731 
94,517 
996,945 
275,275 

$ 800,305 
68,573 
942,853
275,921 

56.0% 
0.5% 
43.5% 

51.4% 
0.6% 
48.0% 

50.8%
0.6%
48.6%

70,677 
62,790 
133,467 
407,762 
76,131 
483,893 
4,892 
692 
2,778 
869 

$ 

68,162 
64,028 
132,190 
402,191 
76,810 
479,001 
5,846 
670 
 2,578 
840 

$ 

72,279 
66,760 
139,039 
395,286 
77,869 
473,155 
6,733 
667 
2,418 
837 

$ 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2003 

2002 

2001 

2000 

1999 

1998 

1997

$ 194,903 
49,666 
11,255 
12,789 
8,515 
277,128 
233,996 
23,716 
$  19,417 

$ 

$ 

1.21 
1.125 
93% 
14.44 
27.40 
16,932 
9.1% 
2.78 

$ 184,894 
46,404 
 11,043 
12,706 
8,104 
263,151 
232,404 
11,674 
$  19,073 

$ 

$ 

1.25 
1.120 
90% 
13.12 
23.65 
15,182 
9.7% 
2.73 

$ 173,823 
44,944 
9,907  
11,860 
6,286 
246,820 
221,116 
10,739 
$  14,965 

$ 

$ 

0.97 
1.115 
115% 
12.95 
25.75 
15,182 
7.6% 
2.64 

$ 171,234 
44,211 
11,014 
11,609 
6,738 
244,806 
211,610 
13,233 
$  19,963 

$ 

$ 

1.31 
1.100 
84% 
13.13 
 27.00 
15,146 
10.1% 
3.31 

$ 163,681 
41,246 
12,695 
10,898 
6,417 
234,937 
201,890 
11,076 
$  21,971 

$ 

$ 

1.44 
1.085 
75% 
12.89 
30.31 
15,094 
11.5% 
3.79 

$ 150,491 
38,854 
10,150 
9,654 
5,777 
214,926 
183,245 
11,821 
$  19,860 

$ 

$ 

1.31 
1.070 
82% 
12.49 
31.31 
15,015 
10.8% 
3.64 

$  158,210 
40,520
10,376
11,173
4,886
225,165 
188,020
11,388
25,757

$ 

$ 

$ 

1.71
1.055
62%
12.15
29.53
15,015
14.5%
4.37

$ 759,498 
74,253 
873,035 
273,130 

$ 696,988 
88,361 
798,478 
251,365 

$ 624,342 
62,049 
710,214 
207,981 

$ 582,782 
37,161 
666,605 
189,979 

$ 564,390 
48,599 
645,507 
171,613 

$ 538,741 
41,061 
613,143 
152,674 

$  515,917
37,511
594,444
153,271

47.0% 
0.7% 
52.3% 

44.0% 
0.7% 
55.3% 

48.8% 
0.9% 
50.3% 

51.1% 
0.9% 
48.0% 

53.0% 
0.9% 
46.1% 

54.6% 
1.0% 
44.4% 

53.8%
1.0%
45.2%

68,416 
63,264 
131,680 
387,579 
78,843 
466,422 
7,434 
594 
2,313 
813 

$ 

69,414 
62,811 
132,223 
380,087 
78,901 
458,988 
8,561 
579 
2,182 
802 

$ 

65,283 
61,343 
126,626 
371,281 
79,146 
450,427 
6,081 
552 
2,020 
783 

$ 

65,408 
62,237 
127,645 
366,242 
78,104 
444,346 
5,219 
554 
1,916 
797 

$ 

65,144 
58,618 
123,762 
361,235 
77,892 
439,127 
6,727 
539 
1,851 
790 

$ 

57,482 
54,661 
112,143 
354,832 
77,568 
432,400 
4,383 
500 
1,768 
759 

$ 

63,736
59,646
123,382
350,139
77,878
428,017
4,719
529
1,694
752

$ 

10-Year Financial Review / 32 & 33

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
customer service areas*

District Name                 Including                                                                                            2006           2005

California

Antelope Valley             Fremont Valley, Lake Hughes, Lancaster & Leona Valley                  1,400        1,400

Bakersfi eld                                                                                                                   64,900      63,600

Bear Gulch                   Atherton, Woodside, Portola Valley & portions of Menlo Park        18,000      18,000

Chico                           Hamilton City                                                                             26,900      26,400

Dixon

2,900        2,900

Dominguez                   Carson & portions of Compton, Harbor City, Long Beach,

                                   Los Angeles & Torrance                                                             33,700      33,600

East Los Angeles          City of Commerce                                                                       27,800      27,800

Hawthorne                                                                                                                      6,200        6,100

Hermosa-Redondo        Hermosa Beach, Redondo Beach & a portion of Torrance             26,200      26,100

Kern River Valley           Bodfi sh, Kernville, Lakeland, Mountain Shadows, Onyx, 

                                   Squirrel Valley, South Lake & Wofford Heights                                4,300        4,300

King City

2,400        2,400

Livermore                                                                                                                     18,200      18,200

Los Altos                     Portions of Cupertino, Los Altos Hills, Mountain View                   18,600      18,500

                                  & Sunnyvale

Marysville                                                                                                                      3,800        3,800

Mid-Peninsula              San Mateo & San Carlos                                                            36,100      36,100

Oroville                                                                                                                        3,600        3,600

Palos Verdes                Palos Verdes Estates, Rancho Palos Verdes, Rolling Hills

                                   & Rolling Hills Estates                                                                24,000      24,000

Redwood Valley            Lucerne & portions of Duncans Mills, Guerneville, 

                                   Dillon Beach, Noel Heights & Santa Rosa                                       2,000        2,000

Salinas

Selma

27,800      27,800

6,100        6,000

South San Francisco     Colma & Broadmoor                                                                   16,800      16,800

Stockton

Visalia

42,100      42,300

  37,800      35,800

Westlake                     Westlake Village & a portion of Thousand Oaks                              7,000        7,000

Willows

Hawaii

New Mexico 

Washington 

Subtotal                                                                                  460,900    456,700

2,300        2,300

500            500

7,100         6,500

15,400      15,300

                                   Total                                                                                       483,900    479,000

* Includes customers from regulated operations and full-system, non-regulated operations in Commerce and
   Hawthorne. Numbers are rounded to the nearest hundred.

    
california

Chico
Chico

Willows
Willows

Oroville
Oroville
Mar ysville
Mar ysville

Redwood Valley
Redwood Valley

Dixon
Dixon

Stockton
Stockton

Salinas
Salinas

King City
King City

Selma
Selma

Visalia
Visalia

South San Francisco
South San Francisco
Mid-Peninsula
Mid-Peninsula
Bear Gulch
Bear Gulch
Los Altos
Los Altos
Livermore
Livermore
San Jose/Headquar ters 
San Jose/Headquar ters 

Kern River Valley
Kern River Valley

Bakersfield
Bakersfield

Antelope Valley
Antelope Valley

Hawthorne
Hawthorne

East Los Angeles
East Los Angeles

Westlake
Westlake

Hermosa-Redondo
Hermosa-Redondo

Palos Verdes
Palos Verdes

Dominguez
Dominguez

new mexico

Los Lunas
Los Lunas

Belen
Belen

Elephant Butte
Elephant Butte

hawaii

Kauai
Kauai

OahuOahu

Molokai
Molokai

Kaanapali
Kaanapali

MauiMaui

Hawaii
Hawaii

washington

Gig Harbor
Gig Harbor

South Sound
South Sound

Service Area / 34 & 35

board of directors

President of B. Hill Enterprises, L.L.C.

4 years served as a Board Member. Co-Founder of 
Icon Blue; on the boards of a number of corporations 
and non-profi t organizations. Member of the following 
Committees: Organization/Compensation and Nominat-
ing/Corporate Governance.

Vice President and Chief Financial Offi cer,
the David & Lucile Packard Foundation

9 years served as a Board Member.
Member of the Audit Committee and
Finance Committee.

Bonnie G. Hill

George A. Vera

Richard P. Magnuson

David N. Kennedy

Private Venture Capital Investor

11 years served as a Board Member.
Member of the following Committees: Audit, 
Organization/Compensation, Executive, Finance, 
and Nominating/Corporate Governance.

Former Director of the 
California Department of Water Resources

4 years served as a Board Member. Member of
the Organization/Compensation Committee and 
Finance Committee.

Chairman of the Board

30 years served as a Board Member.
Member of the Executive Committee.

Robert W. Foy

Member of the National Board
of the Institute of International Education 

13 years served as a Board Member. Director of 
Greater Bay Bancorp, Trustee of World Affairs Council, 
and Co-Chair of the Stanford Challenge. Member of 
the following Committees: Audit, Organization/Com-
pensation, and Nominating/Corporate Governance.

Linda R. Meier

Edward D. Harris, Jr., M.D.

Peter C. Nelson

Douglas M. Brown

Professor of Medicine, Emeritus,
Stanford University Medical Center

14 years served as a Board Member.
Member of the following Committees: 
Organization/Compensation, Executive,
and Nominating/Corporate Governance.

President and Chief Executive Offi cer

Former Treasurer, State of New Mexico

11 years served as a Board Member.
Member of the Executive Committee.

6 years served as a Board Member.
Member of the following Committees: 
Audit, Finance, and Nominating/Corporate 
Governance.

Board of Directors / 36 & 37

corporate offi cers

California Water Service Company

Robert W. Foy 1,2,3
Chairman of the Board

Peter C. Nelson 1,2,3
President and Chief Executive Offi cer

Paul G. Ekstrom
Vice President, Customer Service and Information Systems

Francis S. Ferraro 2, 4
Vice President, Regulatory Matters and Corporate Relations

Robert R. Guzzetta 2
Vice President, Operations

Martin A. Kropelnicki 1, 2, 3
Vice President, Chief Financial Offi cer and Treasurer

Christine L. McFarlane
Vice President, Human Resources

Michael J. Rossi
Vice President, Engineering and Water Quality

Calvin L. Breed 1
Controller, Assistant Secretary and Assistant Treasurer

Lynne P. McGhee 1, 2, 3
Acting Corporate Secretary

Washington Water Service Company

Michael P. Ireland
President

1 Holds the same position with California Water Service Group.
2 Also an offi cer of CWS Utility Services.
3 Also an offi cer of Washington Water Service Company, New Mexico Water Service Company and Hawaii Water Service Company, Inc.
4 Holds the same position with New Mexico Water Service Company and Hawaii Water Service Company, Inc.

Offi cers / 38

financial highlights

Year ended December 31                   2006          2005          2004            2003          2002

Market price at year-end               $   40.40    $   38.23    $    37.65     $    27.40     $   23.65

Book value                                       18.31         15.98         15.66           14.44          13.12

Earnings per share (diluted)                 1.34            1.47             1.46             1.21            1.25

Dividends per share                          1.150          1.140          1.130           1.125          1.120

Revenue                                       334,717     320,728     315,567       277,128     263,151

Net income                                     25,580       27,223        26,026         19,417       19,073

company over view

California Water Service Group (NYSE: CWT) is the second largest investor-owned water 

utility in the United States, providing  high-quality water utility services to more than 2 million  

people in 100 communities through five subsidiaries: California Water Service Company  

(Cal Water), Hawaii Water Service Company, Inc. (Hawaii Water), New Mexico Water Service 

Company (New Mexico Water), Washington Water Service Company (Washington Water),  

and  CWS  Utility  Services  (Utility  Services).  Cal  Water,  Hawaii  Water,  New  Mexico  Water, 

and  Washington  Water  provide  regulated  water  utility  services,  while  Utility  Services  

conducts the Company’s non-regulated business, which includes providing billing, water 

quality  testing,  and  water  system  operations  and  management  services  to  cities  and  

other companies.

Table of Contents

Behind the Scenes Editorial  1

20 -Year Return on Investment  2

Letter to Stockholders  24

Ten-Year Financial Review  32

Customer Service Areas  34

Service Area Map  35

Board of Directors  36

Corporate Officers  38

corporate information
corporate information

Stock Transfer, Dividend Disbursing, and Reinvestment Agent
Stock Transfer, Dividend Disbursing, and Reinvestment Agent
American Stock Transfer and Trust Company
American Stock Transfer and Trust Company
57 Maiden Lane
57 Maiden Lane
New York, NY 10038
New York, NY 10038
(800) 937-5449
(800) 937-5449

To Transfer Stock
To Transfer Stock
A change of ownership of shares (such as when stock is sold or gifted or when owners are deleted from or 
A change of ownership of shares (such as when stock is sold or gifted or when owners are deleted from or 
added to stock certificates) requires a transfer of stock. To transfer stock, the owner must complete the assign-
added to stock certificates) requires a transfer of stock. To transfer stock, the owner must complete the assign-
ment on the back of the certificate and sign it exactly as his or her name appears on the front. This signature 
ment on the back of the certificate and sign it exactly as his or her name appears on the front. This signature 
must be guaranteed by an eligible guarantor institution (banks, stock brokers, savings and loan associations 
must be guaranteed by an eligible guarantor institution (banks, stock brokers, savings and loan associations 
and credit unions with membership in approved signature medallion programs) pursuant to SEC Rule 17Ad-15. 
and credit unions with membership in approved signature medallion programs) pursuant to SEC Rule 17Ad-15. 
A notary’s acknowledgement is not acceptable. This certificate should then be sent to American Stock Transfer 
A notary’s acknowledgement is not acceptable. This certificate should then be sent to American Stock Transfer 
and Trust Company, by registered or certified mail with complete transfer instructions.
and Trust Company, by registered or certified mail with complete transfer instructions.

Bond Registrar
Bond Registrar
US Bank Trust, N.A.
US Bank Trust, N.A.
One California Street
One California Street
San Francisco, CA 94111-5402
San Francisco, CA 94111-5402
(415) 273-4580
(415) 273-4580

Executive Office
Executive Office
California Water Service Group
California Water Service Group
1720 North First Street
1720 North First Street
San Jose, CA 95112-4598
San Jose, CA 95112-4598
(408) 367-8200
(408) 367-8200

Annual Meeting
Annual Meeting
The Annual Meeting of Stockholders will be held on Wednesday, April 25, 2007 at 9:30 a.m. at the Company’s 
The Annual Meeting of Stockholders will be held on Wednesday, April 25, 2007 at 9:30 a.m. at the Company’s 
Executive  Office,  located  at  1720  North  First  Street  in  San  Jose,  California.  Details  of  the  business  to  be 
Executive  Office,  located  at  1720  North  First  Street  in  San  Jose,  California.  Details  of  the  business  to  be 
transacted during the meeting will be contained in the proxy material, which will be mailed to stockholders on 
transacted during the meeting will be contained in the proxy material, which will be mailed to stockholders on 
or about March 23, 2007.
or about March 23, 2007.

Dividend Dates For 2007
Dividend Dates For 2007

Quarter       Declaration       Record Date        Payment Date
Quarter       Declaration       Record Date        Payment Date
First            January 24       February 5          February 16
First            January 24       February 5          February 16
Second        April 25            May 7                 May 18
Second        April 25            May 7                 May 18
Third           July 25              August 6             August 17
Third           July 25              August 6             August 17
Fourth         October 24        November 5        November 16
Fourth         October 24        November 5        November 16

Annual Report For 2006 On Form 10-K
Annual Report For 2006 On Form 10-K
A copy of the Company’s report for 2006 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on Form 10-K 
A copy of the Company’s report for 2006 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on Form 10-K 
will be available in March 2007 and can be obtained by any stockholder at no charge upon written request to 
will be available in March 2007 and can be obtained by any stockholder at no charge upon written request to 
the address below. The Company’s filings with the SEC can be viewed via the link to the SEC’s EDGAR system 
the address below. The Company’s filings with the SEC can be viewed via the link to the SEC’s EDGAR system 
on the Company’s web site.
on the Company’s web site.

Stockholder Information
Stockholder Information
California Water Service Group
California Water Service Group
Attn: Stockholder Relations
Attn: Stockholder Relations
1720 North First Street
1720 North First Street
San Jose, CA 95112-4598
San Jose, CA 95112-4598
(408) 367-8200 or (800) 750-8200
(408) 367-8200 or (800) 750-8200
http://www.calwatergroup.com
http://www.calwatergroup.com

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behind the scenes.

2006 Annual Report

California Water Service Group
1720 North First Street
San Jose, California 95112-4598
(408) 367-8200
www.calwatergroup.com
NYSE: CWT

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