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California Water Service Group

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FY2017 Annual Report · California Water Service Group
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CA LI FORN IA  WATER SERVICE G RO UP

MAKING 
RECORDS

S UM MA RY ANNUAL REPORT 2017

CALIFORNIA WATER 
SERVICE GROUP

SUMMARY ANNUAL REPORT
2017

MAKING 
RECORDS

HOME HIGHLIGHTS LETTER SERVICE AREAS FINANCIAL REVIEW  DIRECTORSTable of Contents

01
Topping the Customer Service Charts

02
Striking a Chord in Our Communities

03
Laying Down the Best Tracks with  
Our Infrastructure Investment

04
Greatest Hits in  
Financial Performance

05
We’re with the Band

06
Fan Club and Gold Records

07
2017—Music to Our Ears

08
Financial Review

09
Board of Directors

 
You drop the needle on your favorite record and the sound washes 
over you. You understand what author Pat Conroy meant when he said, 
“Without music, life is a journey through the desert.” 

It took scores of people to provide this soul elixir: writers, producers, 
sound engineers, musicians, and vocalists. There are the parts you think 
about, like the vocals and the instrumentals, and the parts you don’t, 
like the editing, balancing, mixing, and mastering. But the end result is 
something you savor. 

Water is a lot like music in this way. It is essential to living a good life, 
and it is more complex than many think. A one-man band doesn’t cut it. 
Instead, it takes an entire cast of people—some of whom are front and 
center, others of whom are behind the scenes—to deliver the quality, 
service, and value that our customers enjoy any time they choose. 

In 2017, not only did we hit all the right notes—we made records, too.

1

HOME HIGHLIGHTS LETTER SERVICE AREAS FINANCIAL REVIEW  DIRECTORSCALIFORNIA WATER SERVICE GROUP“Take a music bath once or twice a week 
for a few seasons. You will find  
it is to the soul what a water bath  
is to the body.”

— Oliver Wendell Holmes

2

HOME HIGHLIGHTS LETTER SERVICE AREAS FINANCIAL REVIEW  DIRECTORSCALIFORNIA WATER SERVICE GROUPHOME 

HIGHLIGHTS 

LETTER 

SERVICE AREAS 

FINANCIAL REVIEW 

 DIRECTORS

CHARTS01

TOPPING THE  
CUSTOMER SERVICE 

3

CALIFORNIA WATER SERVICE GROUPTopping the Customer  
Service Charts

W e want our customers to be our 

biggest fans, so we prioritize the 

things that are important to them: water quality, 
customer service, conservation, communication, 
and affordability. In 2017, we met all state 
and federal water quality standards in the 
221 water systems we operate. That doesn’t 
happen by accident. It takes the dedication and 
commitment of professionals in the field and in 
the lab, working in concert to execute a rigorous 
water quality-assurance program.

For our customer service professionals, we 
debuted a Leading Customer Loyalty training 
program to win the hearts of our customers by 
sharpening a variety of skills, including listening, 
generosity, and empathy. We also topped 
industry standards for first-call satisfaction, 
on-time performance, and accuracy in billing. 
And throughout the company, we hosted events 
for customers to learn about their water and 
take advantage of our many water conservation 
programs. In everything we do, we strive to be as 
efficient as possible to keep rates affordable.

4

There’s no doubt that the costs of providing a 
safe, reliable water supply are increasing for all 
water providers, and we are no exception. But 
we do offer a Low-Income Ratepayer Assistance 
(LIRA) program, a hardship grant program, 
and payment arrangements to help customers 
who are having difficulties making ends meet. 
And in the end, our customers pay less than a 
penny per gallon to have clean water delivered 
right where they need it. When you consider 
the enormous amount of effort that goes into 
obtaining, treating, testing, and transporting the 
water, that’s a pretty good value. 

“Country fans are extremely supportive. 
Once they’re with you, they’re with 
you for life.” 

— Faith Hill

HOME HIGHLIGHTS LETTER SERVICE AREAS FINANCIAL REVIEW  DIRECTORSCALIFORNIA WATER SERVICE GROUPNOTABLE NOTE S

470,000+

WATER QUALITY TESTS 
CONDUCTED ON 60,000+ 
SAMPLES

105,675

CUSTOMERS REACHED VIA 
EMAIL, TEXT, OR PHONE 
MESSAGE THROUGH CUSTOMER 
OUTREACH PORTAL

555

FACEBOOK POSTS ELICITING 
74,779 REACTIONS

$10+ million

IN WATER BILL DISCOUNTS 
PROVIDED THROUGH LIRA 
PROGRAM

R ECOR D ACHI EVE ME NTS

5

HOME HIGHLIGHTS LETTER SERVICE AREAS FINANCIAL REVIEW  DIRECTORSCALIFORNIA WATER SERVICE GROUPCOMMUNITIES026

STRIKING A  
CHORD IN OUR 

HOME HIGHLIGHTS LETTER SERVICE AREAS FINANCIAL REVIEW  DIRECTORSCALIFORNIA WATER SERVICE GROUPNOTABLE NOTE S

$833,000

CONTRIBUTED TO 330 
CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS

22

STUDENTS RECEIVED 
SCHOLARSHIPS, 6 OF WHOM 
ARE FIRST-GENERATION 
COLLEGE STUDENTS

2,500

TOYS COLLECTED BY OUR EAST 
LOS ANGELES DISTRICT FOR 
TOYS FOR TOTS

126

PINTS OF BLOOD COLLECTED 
IN OUR LIVERMORE DISTRICT, 
ENOUGH TO SAVE 378 LIVES

9,000+

POUNDS OF FOOD DELIVERED 
BY OUR HUMAN RESOURCES 
DEPARTMENT TO THE SECOND 
HARVEST FOOD BANK

RECO RD ACH IEVE MENTS

7

HOME HIGHLIGHTS LETTER SERVICE AREAS FINANCIAL REVIEW  DIRECTORSCALIFORNIA WATER SERVICE GROUP“It doesn’t matter if you are a musician, a business 
leader, a president, or a student. We all have a 
responsibility to give back.”

— Shakira

Striking a 
Chord in Our 
Communities

C ontributing to the well-being of 

our communities means working 

in concert with community leaders, 
regulators, and charitable organizations 
to prepare for emergencies, protect 
our environment, and help the most 
vulnerable among us. In 2017, we debuted 
Emergency Operation Center training 
exercises for first responders in the 
California communities of Oroville, 
Chico, Guerneville, and Lucerne, and we 
provided additional emergency response 
training to employees in every one of our 
service areas.

Our commitment to the environment 
and sustainability was reflected in the 
completion of two key projects: our fish 
passage project in Woodside, California, 
and our new customer and operations 
center in San Mateo, California— 

8

a Leadership in Energy and Environmental 
Design (LEED)-certified building that 
also makes an attractive addition to the 
neighborhood. 

Another record: Our stockholder-funded 
charitable contributions reached an all-time 
high, as we supported local organizations 
that provide shelter, food, and other services 
to those in need. Employees throughout the 
company also stepped up, collecting food, 
toys, school supplies, warm coats, and even 
blood to help their neighbors.

The bottom line: When our communities 
need us, we are there. Take, for example, 
the time when tens of thousands of our 
customers were evacuated because of the 
California Department of Water Resources’ 
Oroville Dam spillway failure. Our CEO 
traveled to evacuation centers armed with 
boxes and boxes of chocolates to pass out 
on Valentine’s Day, and our community 
affairs team arranged for families to attend 
free movie showings at a local theater. Small 
gestures, to be sure, but ones that show how 
big our heart is for our communities. 

HOME HIGHLIGHTS LETTER SERVICE AREAS FINANCIAL REVIEW  DIRECTORSCALIFORNIA WATER SERVICE GROUPINVESTMENT03

LAYING DOWN 
THE BEST TRACKS 
WITH OUR 
INFRASTRUCTURE 

9

HOME HIGHLIGHTS LETTER SERVICE AREAS FINANCIAL REVIEW  DIRECTORSCALIFORNIA WATER SERVICE GROUP10

CALIFORNIA WATER SERVICE GROUP

NOTABLE NOTE S

$259.2 million

INVESTED IN OUR
WATER SYSTEMS

16

EMERGENCY GENERATORS 
INSTALLED

21

TREATMENT PLANTS 
CONSTRUCTED IN A SINGLE 
YEAR TO MEET THE NEW 
WATER QUALITY STANDARD
FOR TCP

RECOR D ACHIEVEMENTS

10

Laying Down the 
Best Tracks with 
Our Infrastructure 
Investment

C ommunities without access to clean, safe water 

cannot thrive. And just as a Grammy-winning 
band needs a variety of well-tuned instruments to make 
beautiful music, we need a variety of well-maintained 
wells, pumps, pipes, and treatment facilities to make 
beautiful water.

In 2017, we invested a record $259.2 million in water system 
infrastructure in order to continue providing customers 
with the reliability and quality they expect and deserve. 
We replaced 128,700 feet of water pipeline, completed 
three additional large-diameter pipeline projects, and 
constructed five water storage tanks, five wells, and  
ten pump stations to increase supply and improve our  
delivery system.

We also invested significant effort to meet the new 
limit of five parts per trillion for 1,2,3-trichloropropane 
(TCP) set by the California State Water Resources 
Control Board in July 2017. With only five months to 
the initial compliance deadline of January 2018, getting 
all of the treatment in place required nothing short of 
a virtuoso performance. And we completed all of this 
construction despite 2017 bringing us all of the rain 
we wished for in 2015 and 2016. Finally, we continued 
design, outreach, and initial work for the Palos Verdes 
Peninsula Water Reliability Project, which will be the 
largest capital investment in company history.

HOME HIGHLIGHTS LETTER SERVICE AREAS FINANCIAL REVIEW  DIRECTORSCALIFORNIA WATER SERVICE GROUP“The modern recording studio, with its well-
trained engineers, 24-track machines, and 
shiny new consoles, encourages the artist to 
get involved with sound.”

— John Landau

11

HOME HIGHLIGHTS LETTER SERVICE AREAS FINANCIAL REVIEW  DIRECTORSCALIFORNIA WATER SERVICE GROUPHOME 

HIGHLIGHTS 

LETTER 

SERVICE AREAS 

FINANCIAL REVIEW 

 DIRECTORS

PERFORMANCE04

GREATEST HITS  
IN FINANCIAL 

12

CALIFORNIA WATER SERVICE GROUPA t the symphony, the program usually 

recognizes Patrons of the Arts, who  

provide the financial support needed to keep the 
music coming. Our stockholders are like our very  
own Patrons of the Arts, contributing the capital 
required to keep the water flowing. With all of  
the other costs of providing water being passed  
through to customers on a dollar-for-dollar basis,  
our stockholder return comes from the capital 
invested in water system infrastructure.

Because of the way we are regulated by our state 
utilities commissions, customers and stockholders 
alike benefit when we invest in our water systems, 
effectively manage our expenses, and minimize 
business risks. When it comes down to it, our 
customers’ and stockholders’ priorities are in sync,  
and when we perform well, we earn rave reviews  
from both.

Greatest Hits 
in Financial 
Performance

“No one can whistle a symphony. 
It takes an orchestra to play it.”

— Halford E. Luccock

13

HOME HIGHLIGHTS LETTER SERVICE AREAS FINANCIAL REVIEW  DIRECTORSCALIFORNIA WATER SERVICE GROUPTOTAL OPERATING REVENUE ( $ i n th ousa nd s)

$560

$584

$597

$588

$609

$667

$700

$650

$600

$550

$500

$450

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

ANNUAL DIVIDEND ( $ pe r sh are)

$0.63

$0.64

$0.65

$0.67

$0.69

$0.72

$0.75

$0.70

$0.65

$0.60

$0.55

$0.50

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

NET UTILITY PLANT ( $ i n  m i ll i ons)

$1,457

$1,516

$1,590

$1,702

$1,859

$2,048

$2,200

$2,000

$1,800

$1,600

$1,400

$1,200

14

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

HOME HIGHLIGHTS LETTER SERVICE AREAS FINANCIAL REVIEW  DIRECTORSCALIFORNIA WATER SERVICE GROUP05 WE’RE WITH  

THE BAND

15

HOME HIGHLIGHTS LETTER SERVICE AREAS FINANCIAL REVIEW  DIRECTORSCALIFORNIA WATER SERVICE GROUP“I just really love playing with this band. It’s just 
such a ridiculously good band...There’s a sense of 
pride in it... Every time we go out there, we want to 
be really great.” 

— Tom Petty

We’re with the Band

W e put on such a good show 

because our employees 

know that they are an important part 
of the band, regardless of the part they 
play. Whether behind the scenes or 
center stage, they work together to 
provide excellent service and make our 
communities a better place.

We also implemented an enhanced Continuous 
Improvement program—we call it Continuous 
Improvement 2.0—a streamlined process that 
enables employees to make improvements to 
our business processes more quickly. It is our 
devotion to the band that has earned us the 
designation of Great Place to Work® and a  
Top 95 Workplace in the San Francisco  
Bay Area.

In 2017, we made great strides to improve 
workplace safety by partnering with 
our unions, implementing best-in-class 
policies and procedures, and building a 
culture of safety. We also continued to 
promote professional development and 
provide employees with competitive 
salaries and benefits, encouraging elite 
utility professionals to spend their careers 
with us and establishing ourselves as an 
employer of choice in the industry.

16

HOME HIGHLIGHTS LETTER SERVICE AREAS FINANCIAL REVIEW  DIRECTORSCALIFORNIA WATER SERVICE GROUPNOTABLE NOTE S

17,560

HOURS OF EMPLOYEE 
TRAINING PROVIDED

14%

REDUCTION IN 
WORKPLACE INJURIES

45

CRITICAL INCIDENT RESPONSE 
MANAGEMENT TEAM EMPLOYEES 
TRAINED TO SUPPORT FELLOW 
EMPLOYEES

RECORD ACHIEVE ME N TS

17

HOME HIGHLIGHTS LETTER SERVICE AREAS FINANCIAL REVIEW  DIRECTORSCALIFORNIA WATER SERVICE GROUP06 FAN CLUB AND  

GOLD RECORDS

18

HOME HIGHLIGHTS LETTER SERVICE AREAS FINANCIAL REVIEW  DIRECTORSCALIFORNIA WATER SERVICE GROUP“Doug is at my house right now trying to restore water 
to my place. My daughter is home alone, and he offered 
to bring by bottled water until the problem is resolved. 
I felt that he was helpful, kind, and going above his job 
description for this one. Not to mention, he is out there 
alone in this heat digging away.”

— WASHINGTON WATER CUSTOMER

“Thank you to the team that came out in the middle of the night. I got up around 1:30 a.m. to 
get a glass of water, but almost nothing was coming out. I knew something was wrong. A few 
minutes later, I heard some jackhammers, and I knew something was being done. By around 
2:30 a.m., water was back. Great job! I bet most of the people affected did not even notice the 
work you guys do and the service you provide.”

— CAL WATER BEAR GULCH DIST RICT CUSTO MER

19

HOME HIGHLIGHTS LETTER SERVICE AREAS FINANCIAL REVIEW  DIRECTORSCALIFORNIA WATER SERVICE GROUP“Thank you for the incredible, quick service. I sent in 
a web form around 9:30 p.m. expecting to get service 
the following day. Within less than 30 minutes, 
Alex arrived to help solve the issue. Super-friendly, 
amazingly fast service. Now we have water again for 
the morning. Thank you, Alex!!”

— CAL WATER BAYSHORE DISTRICT  C USTO ME R

“I would like to recognize the Rio Communities Water 
District for the quality of water. I am also impressed 
with the friendly, courteous service that the meter 
reader, Mary, provides.”

— NEW MEX I CO  WAT ER CUSTO ME R

“[Joey’s] approach was impeccable, and his desire to 
assist and to come back to find the problem [a water 
leak] while his job was reading meters impressed 
me to no end. Joey is a very fine example of what an 
employee should be. He represented Cal Water with 
class and so much professionalism that I just had to 
send in my congratulations.”

— CAL  WATER LIVERMORE DIST R I CT  CUSTOM ER

20

HOME HIGHLIGHTS LETTER SERVICE AREAS FINANCIAL REVIEW  DIRECTORSCALIFORNIA WATER SERVICE GROUPWATER MANAGEMENT  
INNOVATION AWARD

LARRY C. LARSON SAFETY AWARD

GREAT PLACE TO WORK® 
CERTIFICATION

SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA  
TOP 95 WORKPLACE

SUPPLIER DIVERSITY  
CHAMPION OF THE YEAR 

2017 DISTINGUISHED SUPPLIER 
DIVERSITY AWARD

WATER EFFICIENCY & 
CONSERVATION AWARD

HERMES CREATIVE AWARD FOR 
CUSTOMER COMMUNICATIONS

21

HOME HIGHLIGHTS LETTER SERVICE AREAS FINANCIAL REVIEW  DIRECTORSCALIFORNIA WATER SERVICE GROUP072017—MUSIC TO  

OUR EARS

22

HOME HIGHLIGHTS LETTER SERVICE AREAS FINANCIAL REVIEW  DIRECTORSCALIFORNIA WATER SERVICE GROUPDear Stockholder:

We couldn’t be more pleased with our performance in 2017, filled as it was with the record achievements detailed 
in this report.  What strikes us as we review the year is the fact that we hit all the right notes—not only with our 
stockholders, but with our customers, communities, and employees, too.  We continue to believe that our success 
relies on our ability to make fans of all of these constituents.  

Nobody likes a broken record, so we won’t repeat the information provided on the previous pages.  We would note, 
however, that when awards are passed out, our Record of the Year should definitely be “Building and Improving 
Water Infrastructure.”  Our investment of $259.2 million in our water systems is critical, because it enables us to 
provide our customers and communities with a reliable supply of high-quality water and our stockholders with a 
return on their investment. 

It’s important to note that the capital budget for our largest subsidiary, California Water Service, was set for 
2016 through 2018 in our last rate decision, so we expect our level of capital investment to be somewhat lower 
in 2018 than the all-time highs reached in 2016 and 2017.  We are now working on our proposal for water system 
improvement projects for the 2018 triennial California rate filing; we also continue efforts to educate the public on 
the criticality of water infrastructure investment to build support for our capital plan.

A significant success that wasn’t highlighted on previous pages was our 2017 succession planning and recruitment.  
Several of our key players took a bow, with district and general managers in eight of our 25 operating areas 
celebrating retirements.  Replacing this kind of talent is no small feat, particularly considering the fact that they had 
a combined 290 years of experience.  But our succession planning and recruitment efforts were extremely effective, 
and we filled the positions with highly qualified, diverse replacements who have hit the ground running.

As this report goes to print, we are focusing significant effort on regulatory matters.  First, there is a Proposed 
Decision pending on our Cost of Capital filing in California that fails to balance the interests of customers and 
stockholders.  If adopted, it would hinder our ability to make critical and necessary improvements to our water 
systems.  Second, our regulatory commissions are considering how we will implement the new federal tax law.   
Our main focus now is participating in the regulatory process to advocate for fair and reasonable decisions in  
both of these matters, because they could have a significant impact on our earnings and cash flows, and ultimately 
lead to higher rates for customers.

23

HOME HIGHLIGHTS LETTER SERVICE AREAS FINANCIAL REVIEW  DIRECTORSCALIFORNIA WATER SERVICE GROUPLooking ahead, in order to continue to successfully execute our strategy, we will need to:

•  Balance the rising costs of providing water and improving water infrastructure with the importance  

of having affordable rates.

•  Make a compelling case to the California Public Utilities Commission in our 2018 rate filing to  

ensure that future water rates accurately reflect the costs of providing service.

•  Ensure that our customers and communities understand the many benefits of being served  

by our company.

•  Be ready and able to meet long-term regulations on the horizon in California that are intended  

to “Make Conservation a Way of Life.”

•  Continue to participate in developing the regulations and policies that affect our business.

We have an excellent strategy, and working as one team, we can overcome any challenges the future holds  
and continue fulfilling our purpose: to enhance the quality of life for our customers, communities, employees,  
and stockholders.

Before we play the final note, we would like to congratulate Bonnie G. Hill, who retired from our Board of Directors 
in May of 2017.  She brought so much expertise, insight, and value to the Group; we thank her for her many 
contributions and wish her the best in retirement.  We would also like to welcome retired three-star U.S. Navy  
Vice Admiral Carol M. Pottenger, who joined the Board in September.  And finally, it is with heartfelt sorrow that  
we share the 2017 passing of former Chairman Robert W. Foy.  Bob, the consummate gentleman and professional, 
left an indelible mark on all who knew him.  He is dearly missed. 

With that, we wish you the best in 2018 and thank you for your continued investment in California Water Service Group. 

MARTIN A. KROPELNICKI

PETER C. NELSON

PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD

24

HOME HIGHLIGHTS LETTER SERVICE AREAS FINANCIAL REVIEW  DIRECTORSCALIFORNIA WATER SERVICE GROUPFINANCIAL REVIEW08

25

HOME HIGHLIGHTS LETTER SERVICE AREAS FINANCIAL REVIEW  DIRECTORSCALIFORNIA WATER SERVICE GROUPCWT 20-Year Total 
Return on Investment

(On $100 stock purchase on December 31, 1997, with dividends reinvested)

$100

100

$110

129

$112

156

$104

$103

141

125

$120

139

$99

97

$172

$180

$196

$185

139

145

168

178

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

LEGEND:

CWT

S&P 500

26

HOME HIGHLIGHTS LETTER SERVICE AREAS FINANCIAL REVIEW  DIRECTORSCALIFORNIA WATER SERVICE GROUPCWT 20-Year Total 
Return on Investment

(On $100 stock purchase on December 31, 1997, with dividends reinvested)

$609

401

$446

$307

$299

290

294

329

$280

255

$216

193

$240

$196

$205

$208

163

166

141

112

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

LEGEND:

CWT

S&P 500

27

HOME HIGHLIGHTS LETTER SERVICE AREAS FINANCIAL REVIEW  DIRECTORSCALIFORNIA WATER SERVICE GROUPService Area Maps

WASHINGTON

Operations/Customer Centers

•  Olympia (S.W. Regional Office)
•  Gig Harbor (N.W. Regional Office and Customer Center)
•  Sequim
• 
•  Orcas Island (Field Offices)

Issaquah

Serving more than 425 neighborhoods and small communities 
in the counties of Clallam, Jefferson, Kitsap, Mason, Pierce, 
King, San Juan, and Thurston

REGULATED CUSTOMER CONNECTIONS

2017 

2016 

16,800

16,700

28

HAWAII

Operations/Customer Centers

•  Ka`anapali (Maui) 
•  Waikoloa (Hawaii)

Serving the communities of Ka`anapali, Pukalani, 
Waikoloa, North Kona Coast, and Kohala Coast on the 
islands of Maui and Hawaii

REGULATED CUSTOMER CONNECTIONS

2017 

2016 

4,500

4,400

HOME HIGHLIGHTS LETTER SERVICE AREAS FINANCIAL REVIEW  DIRECTORSCALIFORNIA WATER SERVICE GROUP 
 
 
 
NEW MEXICO

Operations/Customer Centers

•  Elephant Butte
•  Rio Communities
•  Cedar Crest

Serving the communities of Meadow Lake, Cypress 
Gardens, Rio Communities, Rio Del Oro, Elephant Butte, 
Sandia Knolls, and Cedar Crest in the counties of Sierra,
Valencia, and Bernalillo

REGULATED CUSTOMER CONNECTIONS

2017 

2016 

8,100

8,000

CALIFORNIA

Districts

•  Bakersfield
•  Bay Area Region
•  Bayshore
•  Redwood Valley

•  Bear Gulch
•  Chico
•  Commerce
•  Dixon
•  Dominguez
•  East Los Angeles
•  Hawthorne
•  Hermosa-Redondo
•  Kern River Valley
•  Livermore

•  Los Altos
•  Los Angeles County Region

•  Antelope Valley
•  Palos Verdes

•  Marysville
•  Monterey Region
•  King City
•  Salinas

•  Oroville
•  Selma
•  Stockton
•  Visalia
•  Westlake
•  Willows

CUSTOMER CONNECTIONS*

2017 

2016 

484,900

482,400

* Inc luding Hawthorne and Co mmerce   

op eration a nd maintenance agreem e nts

29

HOME HIGHLIGHTS LETTER SERVICE AREAS FINANCIAL REVIEW  DIRECTORSCALIFORNIA WATER SERVICE GROUP 
 
 
 
California Districts & Communities: 
Number of Customer Accounts

Bakersfield

Bay Area Region
South San Francisco, Colma, Broadmoor, San Mateo, San Carlos, Lucerne, Duncans 
Mills, Guerneville, Dillon Beach, Noel Heights, and portions of Santa Rosa

Bear Gulch
Atherton, Woodside, Portola Valley, and a portion of Menlo Park

Chico
Hamilton City

Dixon

Dominguez
Carson and portions of Compton, Harbor City, Long Beach, Los Angeles County, 
and Torrance

East Los Angeles
Portions of Montebello, Commerce, Monterey Park, and Vernon

Hawthorne and Commerce
(Operation and maintenance agreements)

Hermosa-Redondo
Hermosa Beach, Redondo Beach, and a portion of Torrance

Kern River Valley
Bodfish, Kernville, Lakeland, Mountain Shadows, Onyx, Squirrel Valley, 
South Lake, and Wofford Heights

2016

71,100

2017

71,600

55,500

55,700

18,900

18,900

29,400

29,700

2,900

2,900

34,100

34,100

26,800

26,800

7,600

7,600

26,900

26,900

3,900

4,000

30

HOME HIGHLIGHTS LETTER SERVICE AREAS FINANCIAL REVIEW  DIRECTORSCALIFORNIA WATER SERVICE GROUPCalifornia Districts & Communities: 
Number of Customer Accounts

Los Angeles County Region
Palos Verdes Estates, Rancho Palos Verdes, Rolling Hills, Rolling Hills Estates, 
Fremont Valley, Lake Hughes, Lancaster, and Leona Valley

Livermore

Los Altos
Portions of Cupertino, Los Altos Hills, Mountain View, and Sunnyvale

Marysville

Monterey Region
Salinas and King City

Oroville

Selma

Stockton

Visalia

Westlake
Westlake Village and a portion of Thousand Oaks

Willows

31

2016

2017

25,600

25,600

18,600

18,800 

18,900

19,000

3,800

31,100

3,600

6,400

3,800

31,300

3,600

6,400

43,800

44,000

44,000

44,700

7,100

7,100

2,400

2,400

HOME HIGHLIGHTS LETTER SERVICE AREAS FINANCIAL REVIEW  DIRECTORSCALIFORNIA WATER SERVICE GROUPFinancial Highlights

YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31

2012

Market price at year end

Book value per share

Earnings per share (diluted)

$18.35

$11.30

$1.17

2013

$23.07

$12.54

$1.02

2014

$24.61

$13.11

$1.19

2015

2016

2017

$23.27

$33.90

$45.35

$13.41

$0.94

$13.75

$1.01

$14.44

$1.40

Dividend per share

$0.630

$0.640

$0.650

$0.670

$0.690

$0.720

Revenue*

Net Income*

*Dol l ars i n tho usand s

$559,966

$584,103

$597,499

$588,368

$609,370

$666,890

$48,828

$47,254

$56,738

$45,017

$48,675

$67,181

32

HOME HIGHLIGHTS LETTER SERVICE AREAS FINANCIAL REVIEW  DIRECTORSCALIFORNIA WATER SERVICE GROUPEight-Year Financial Review

(Dollars in thousands, except common shares and other data)

SUMMARY OF OPERATIONS
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
Total assets
Long-term debt, including current portion
Capitalization ratios:

Common stockholders’ equity
Long-term debt

2017

2016

2015

2014

$666,890
$572,267
$27,442
$67,181

$ 609,370
$533,176
$27,519
$48,675

$588,368
$517,215
$26,136
$45,017

$597,499
$515,652
$25,109
$56,738

$1.40
$0.720
51%
$14.44
$45.35
48,012
9.9%
4.28

$1.01
$0.690
68%
$13.75
$33.90
47,965
7.5%
3.45

$0.94
$0.670
71%
$13.41
$23.27
47,875
7.1%
3.67

$1.19
$0.650
55%
$13.11
$24.61
47,806
9.3%
4.29

$2,047,965
$2,740,375
$531,713

$1,859,277
$2,411,745
$557,953

$1,701,768
$2,241,253
$514,045

$1,590,431
$2,182,711
$421,200

56.6%
43.4%

54.2%
45.8%

55.5%
44.5%

59.80%
40.20%

OTHER DATA
Water production (million gallons)
Customers at year end, including Hawthorne and Commerce
New customers added
Revenue per customer
Utility plant per customer
Employees at year end

104,986
514,300
2,800
$1,297
$5,775
1,176

99,096
511,500
2,500
$1,191
$5,312
1,163

98,899
509,000
2,900
$1,156
$4,925
1,155

118,282
506,100
3,200
$1,181
$4,628
1,105

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HOME HIGHLIGHTS LETTER SERVICE AREAS FINANCIAL REVIEW  DIRECTORSCALIFORNIA WATER SERVICE GROUP 
 
Eight-Year Financial Review

(Dollars in thousands, except common shares and other data)

SUMMARY OF OPERATIONS
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
Total assets
Long-term debt, including current portion
Capitalization ratios:

Common stockholders’ equity
Long-term debt

2017

2013

2012

2011

$666,890
$572,267
$27,442
$67,181

$584,103
$510,098
$26,751
$47,254

$559,966
$486,123
$25,015
$48,828

$501,814
$434,647
$29,455
$37,712

$1.40
$0.720
51%
$14.44
$45.35
48,012
9.9%
4.28

$1.02
$0.640
63%
$12.54
$23.07
47,741
8.8%
3.42

$1.17
$0.630
54%
$11.30
$18.35
41,908
10.6%
3.45

$2,047,965
$2,740,375
$531,713

$1,515,831
$1,954,741
$428,936

$1,457,056
$1,990,333
$475,659

56.6%
43.4%

58.30%
41.70%

49.90%
50.10%

$0.90
$0.615
68%
$10.76
$18.26
41,817
8.5%
3.11

$1,381,119
$1,848,517
$482,094

48.30%
51.70%

120,353
499,500
1,600
$1,105
$3,925
1,132

OTHER DATA
Water production (million gallons)
Customers at year end, including Hawthorne and Commerce
New customers added
Revenue per customer
Utility plant per customer
Employees at year end

104,986
514,300
2,800
$1,297
$5,775
1,176

126,363
502,900
2,200
$1,161
$4,401
1,125

125,892
500,700
1,200
$1,118
$4,187
1,132

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HOME HIGHLIGHTS LETTER SERVICE AREAS FINANCIAL REVIEW  DIRECTORSCALIFORNIA WATER SERVICE GROUP 
 
HOME 

HIGHLIGHTS 

LETTER 

SERVICE AREAS 

FINANCIAL REVIEW 

 DIRECTORS

DIRECTORS09

BOARD OF  

35

CALIFORNIA WATER SERVICE GROUPBoard of Directors

Gregory E. Aliff
Former Vice Chairman and Senior 
Partner of U.S. Energy & Resources, 
Deloitte LLP; director since 2015; 
member of the following committees: 
Audit and Finance/Risk Management

Terry P. Bayer
Former Chief Operating Officer, Molina 
Healthcare, Inc.; director since 2014; 
member of the following committees: 
Organization/Compensation and 
Nominating/Corporate Governance

Edwin A. Guiles
Former Chairman/CEO of San Diego Gas & 
Electric Company and Southern California 
Gas Company, Sempra Energy Utilities; 
director since 2008; member of the following 
committees: Organization/ Compensation , 
Finance/Risk Management , and Audit

Peter C. Nelson
Chairman of the Board; 
director since 1996

Richard P. Magnuson
Lead Director and Private Venture 
Capital Investor; director since 1996; 
member of the following committees: 
Audit , Finance/Risk Management , and 
Nominating/Corporate Governance

36

HOME HIGHLIGHTS LETTER SERVICE AREAS FINANCIAL REVIEW  DIRECTORSCALIFORNIA WATER SERVICE GROUPBoard of Directors

Martin A. Kropelnicki
President and 
Chief Executive Officer; 
director since 2013

Thomas M. Krummel, M.D.

Professor and Chair Emeritus, Surgery 
Department , Stanford University School of 
Medicine; director since 2010; member of the 
following committees: Nominating/Corporate 
Governance and Organization/Compensation

Lester A. Snow

Former Director of the California Department 
of Water Resources; director since 2011; member 
of the following committees: Organization/
Compensation and Finance/Risk Management

Carol M. Pottenger
Principal and owner of CMP Global, LLC , 
and retired U.S. Navy Vice Admiral; 
director since 2017

37

George A. Vera
Former Vice President and Chief 
Financial Officer, the David and Lucile 
Packard Foundation ; director since 1998; 
member of the following committees: 
Audit , Finance/Risk Management , and 
Nominating/Corporate Governance

HOME HIGHLIGHTS LETTER SERVICE AREAS FINANCIAL REVIEW  DIRECTORSCALIFORNIA WATER SERVICE GROUPCorporate Officers

Shannon C. Dean
Vice President , 
Corporate Communications 
and Community Affairs

David B. Healey
Vice President , Controller

Martin A. Kropelnicki
President and 
Chief Executive Officer

Michelle R. Mortensen
Corporate Secretary

Elissa Y. Ouyang
Chief Procurement and 
Lead Continuous Improvement Officer

Gerald A. Simon
Chief Safety and 
Emergency Preparedness Officer

38

HOME HIGHLIGHTS LETTER SERVICE AREAS FINANCIAL REVIEW  DIRECTORSCALIFORNIA WATER SERVICE GROUPCorporate Officers

Robert J. Kuta
Vice President , Engineering and 
Environmental Affairs

Michael B. Luu
Vice President , Customer Service 
and Chief Information Officer

Lynne P. McGhee
Vice President , General Counsel

Thomas F. Smegal, III
Vice President and 
Chief Financial Officer

Timothy D. Treloar
Vice President , Water Quality and 
Chief Utility Operations Officer

Paul G. Townsley
Vice President , 
Rates and Regulatory Matters

Ronald D. Webb
Vice President , 
Human Resources

39

HOME HIGHLIGHTS LETTER SERVICE AREAS FINANCIAL REVIEW  DIRECTORSCALIFORNIA WATER SERVICE GROUPCorporate Information

Computershare Investor Services

462 South 4th Street
Suite 1600
Louisville, KY 40202 

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deleted from or added to stock certificates) requires a transfer of stock. To transfer stock, 
the owner must complete the assignment 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 
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with membership in approved signature medallion programs) pursuant to SEC Rule 17Ad-
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transfer instructions. Alternatively, the Direct Registration System can be utilized, which allows 
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One California Street
San Francisco, CA 94111-5402
(415) 273-4580

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HOME HIGHLIGHTS LETTER SERVICE AREAS FINANCIAL REVIEW  DIRECTORSCALIFORNIA WATER SERVICE GROUP