CALIFORNIA WATER SERVICE GROUP - Quarter Report: 2020 September (Form 10-Q)

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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)


☒			QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2020


☐			TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from to

Commission file number 1-13883

CALIFORNIA WATER SERVICE GROUP

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


Delaware						77-0448994
(State or other jurisdiction						(I.R.S. Employer identification No.)
of incorporation or organization)

1720 North First Street

San Jose, California 95112

(Address of principal executive offices)

408-367-8200

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Not Applicable

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of Each Class:

Trading Symbol(s)

Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered:

Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share

CWT

New York Stock Exchange

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15 (d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ý No o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit). Yes ý No o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer”, “smaller reporting company,” and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):


Large accelerated filer	☒	Accelerated filer	☐
Non-accelerated filer	☐	Smaller reporting company	☐
		Emerging growth company	☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act) Yes ☐ No ☒

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date. Common shares outstanding as of September 30, 2020 — 49,840,000

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TABLE OF CONTENTS


			Page
PART I Financial Information			3
Item 1 Financial Statements			3
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (unaudited) as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019			3
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (unaudited) For the Three Months Ended September 30, 20 20 and 201 9			4
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (unaudited) For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020 and 2019			5
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited) For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020 and 2019			6
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements			7
Item 2 Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations			28
Item 3 Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure about Market Risk			40
Item 4 Controls and Procedures			40
PART II Other Information			41
Item 1 Legal Proceedings			41
Item 1A Risk Factors			41
Item 6 Exhibits			42
Signatures			43

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PART I FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The condensed consolidated financial statements presented in this filing on Form 10-Q have been prepared by management and are unaudited.

CALIFORNIA WATER SERVICE GROUP

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

Unaudited (In thousands, except per share data)


	September 30, 2020		December 31, 2019
ASSETS
Utility plant:
Utility plant	$	3,835,194	$	3,550,485
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	(1,238,880)		(1,144,115)
Net utility plant	2,596,314		2,406,370
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	113,312		42,653
Receivables:
Customers, net	53,397		32,058
Regulatory balancing accounts	54,415		38,225
Other, net	15,056		14,187
Unbilled revenue, net	46,247		34,879
Materials and supplies at weighted average cost	8,611		7,745
Taxes, prepaid expenses, and other assets	14,726		14,965
Total current assets	305,764		184,712
Other assets:
Regulatory assets	484,435		433,322
Goodwill	30,349		2,615
Other assets	89,572		84,289
Total other assets	604,356		520,226
TOTAL ASSETS	$	3,506,434	$	3,111,308
CAPITALIZATION AND LIABILITIES
Capitalization:
Common stock, $0.01 par value; 68,000 shares authorized, 49,840 and 48,532 outstanding in 2020 and 2019, respectively	$	498	$	485
Additional paid-in capital	422,391		362,275
Retained earnings	467,303		417,146
Total common stockholders’ equity	890,192		779,906
Long-term debt, net	785,055		786,754
Total capitalization	1,675,247		1,566,660
Current liabilities:
Current maturities of long-term debt, net	21,883		21,868
Short-term borrowings	375,100		175,100
Accounts payable	127,158		108,463
Regulatory balancing accounts	11,003		4,462
Accrued interest	14,233		5,810
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	54,446		43,018
Total current liabilities	603,823		358,721
Deferred income taxes	245,456		222,590
Pension and postretirement benefits other than pensions	261,081		258,907
Regulatory liabilities and other	257,054		271,831
Advances for construction	196,853		191,062
Contributions in aid of construction	266,920		241,537
Commitments and contingencies (Note 10)
TOTAL CAPITALIZATION AND LIABILITIES	$	3,506,434	$	3,111,308

See Accompanying Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

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CALIFORNIA WATER SERVICE GROUP

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

Unaudited (In thousands, except per share data)


For the three months ended	September 30, 2020		September 30, 2019
Operating revenue	$	304,108	$	232,537
Operating expenses:
Operations:
Water production costs	85,344		80,568
Administrative and general	29,208		26,779
Other operations	29,746		24,550
Maintenance	7,129		7,065
Depreciation and amortization	24,699		22,273
Income taxes	13,804		12,194
Property and other taxes	8,116		7,541
Total operating expenses	198,046		180,970
Net operating income	106,062		51,567
Other income and expenses:
Non-regulated revenue	3,934		4,118
Non-regulated expenses	(2,865)		(4,351)
Other components of net periodic benefit cost	(1,008)		(1,857)
Allowance for equity funds used during construction	973		1,868
Income tax (expense) benefit on other income and expenses	(245)		330
Net other income	789		108
Interest expense:
Interest expense	11,162		10,279
Allowance for borrowed funds used during construction	(671)		(1,028)
Net interest expense	10,491		9,251
Net income	$	96,360	$	42,424
Earnings per share:
Basic	$	1.94	$	0.88
Diluted	1.94		0.88
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic	49,576		48,141
Diluted	49,576		48,141

See Accompanying Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

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CALIFORNIA WATER SERVICE GROUP

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

Unaudited (In thousands, except per share data)


For the nine months ended	September 30, 2020		September 30, 2019
Operating revenue	$	605,155	$	537,679
Operating expenses:
Operations:
Water production costs	210,462		190,795
Administrative and general	85,827		81,310
Other operations	69,618		64,913
Maintenance	20,924		19,212
Depreciation and amortization	73,733		66,967
Income taxes	10,489		13,524
Property and other taxes	22,470		21,902
Total operating expenses	493,523		458,623
Net operating income	111,632		79,056
Other income and expenses:
Non-regulated revenue	11,969		14,149
Non-regulated expenses	(11,811)		(10,470)
Other components of net periodic benefit cost	(3,770)		(4,308)
Allowance for equity funds used during construction	4,292		5,087
Income taxes on other income and expenses	(152)		(985)
Net other income	528		3,473
Interest expense:
Interest expense	33,573		33,532
Allowance for borrowed funds used during construction	(2,747)		(2,783)
Net interest expense	30,826		30,749
Net income	$	81,334	$	51,780
Earnings per share:
Basic	$	1.66	$	1.08
Diluted	1.66		1.08
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic	49,034		48,121
Diluted	49,034		48,121

See Accompanying Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

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CALIFORNIA WATER SERVICE GROUP

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

Unaudited (In thousands)


For the nine months ended	September 30, 2020		September 30, 2019
Operating activities:
Net income	$	81,334	$	51,780
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	75,550		68,522
Change in value of life insurance contracts	(621)		(3,433)
Allowance for equity funds used during construction	(4,292)		(5,087)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Receivables and unbilled revenue	(41,374)		(29,436)
Accounts payable	7,199		16,735
Other current assets	(536)		(3,937)
Other current liabilities	16,304		11,597
Other changes in noncurrent assets and liabilities	(36,900)		21,602
Net cash provided by operating activities	96,664		128,343
Investing activities:
Utility plant expenditures	(221,261)		(194,942)
Purchase of life insurance contracts	(2,335)		(2,216)
Business acquisition, net of cash acquired	(39,544)		—
Net cash used in investing activities	(263,140)		(197,158)
Financing activities:
Short-term borrowings	270,000		210,000
Repayment of short-term borrowings	(70,000)		(120,000)
Issuance of long-term debt, net of expenses of $1,569 for 2019	—		398,431
Repayment of long-term debt	(1,535)		(401,630)
Advances and contributions in aid of construction	19,862		21,266
Refunds of advances for construction	(7,017)		(5,560)
Repurchase of common stock	(1,578)		(2,355)
Issuance of common stock	58,573		1,278
Dividends paid	(31,177)		(28,507)
Net cash provided by financing activities	237,128		72,923
Change in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash	70,652		4,108
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at beginning of period	43,298		47,715
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at end of period	$	113,950	$	51,823
Supplemental information:
Cash paid for interest (net of amounts capitalized)	$	21,862	$	22,060
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash activities:
Accrued payables for investments in utility plant	$	47,015	$	31,676
Utility plant contribution by developers	$	22,762	$	23,955

See Accompanying Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

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CALIFORNIA WATER SERVICE GROUP

Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

September 30, 2020

Dollar amounts in thousands unless otherwise stated

Note 1. Organization and Operations and Basis of Presentation

California Water Service Group (the Company) is a holding company that provides water utility and other related services in California, Washington, New Mexico and Hawaii through its wholly-owned subsidiaries. California Water Service Company (Cal Water), Washington Water Service Company (Washington Water), New Mexico Water Service Company (New Mexico Water), and Hawaii Water Service Company, Inc. (Hawaii Water) provide regulated utility services under the rules and regulations of their respective state’s regulatory commissions (jointly referred to herein as the Commissions). CWS Utility Services and HWS Utility Services LLC provide non-regulated water utility and utility-related services.

The Company operates in one reportable segment, providing water and related utility services.

Basis of Presentation

The unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial information has been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP) for interim financial information and in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and therefore do not contain all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP and the SEC for annual financial statements. The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s consolidated financial statements included in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019 as filed with the SEC on February 27, 2020.

The preparation of the Company’s unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the balance sheet dates and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses for the periods presented. These include, but are not limited to, estimates and assumptions used in determining the Company’s regulatory asset and liability balances based upon probability assessments of regulatory recovery, revenues earned but not yet billed, asset retirement obligations, allowance for credit losses, pension and other employee benefit plan liabilities, and income tax-related assets and liabilities. Actual results could differ from these estimates.

In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements reflect all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring transactions that are necessary to provide a fair presentation of the results for the periods covered.

Due to the seasonal nature of the water business, the results for interim periods are not indicative of the results for a 12-month period. Revenue and income are generally higher in the warm, dry summer months when water usage and sales are greater. Revenue and income are generally lower in the winter months when cooler temperatures and rainfall curtail water usage and sales.

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Note 2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Operating revenue

The following tables disaggregate the Company’s operating revenue by source for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019:


	Three Months Ended September 30
	2020		2019
Revenue from contracts with customers	$	222,474	$	214,963
Regulatory balancing account revenue (a)	81,634		17,574
Total operating revenue	$	304,108	$	232,537


	Nine Months Ended September 30
	2020		2019
Revenue from contracts with customers	$	529,804	$	499,840
Regulatory balancing account revenue (a)	75,351		37,839
Total operating revenue	$	605,155	$	537,679

(a) The adjustments for the Company’s Water Revenue Adjustment Mechanism (WRAM), Modified Cost Balancing Account (MCBA), Pension Cost Balancing Account (PCBA), and Health Cost Balancing Account (HCBA) for the first six months ended June 30, 2020 were recorded in the three months ended September 30, 2020 as the Company received a proposed decision for its 2018 General Rate Case for Cal Water (2018 GRC) in October of 2020. The Company also recorded an adjustment for its interim rate memorandum account (IRMA) where it was authorized to track the effect of the delay in the resolution of the 2018 GRC on customer billings.

Revenue from contracts with customers

The Company principally generates operating revenue from contracts with customers by providing regulated water and wastewater services at tariff-rates authorized by the Commissions in the states in which they operate and non-regulated water and wastewater services at rates authorized by contracts with government agencies. Revenue from contracts with customers reflects amounts billed for the volume of consumption at authorized per unit rates, for a service charge, and for other authorized charges.

The Company satisfies its performance obligation to provide water and wastewater services over time as services are rendered. The Company applies the invoice practical expedient and recognizes revenue from contracts with customers in the amount for which the Company has a right to invoice. The Company has a right to invoice for the volume of consumption, for the service charge, and for other authorized charges.

The measurement of sales to customers is generally based on the reading of their meters, which occurs on a systematic basis throughout the month. At the end of each month, the Company estimates consumption since the date of the last meter reading and a corresponding unbilled revenue is recognized. The estimate is based upon the number of unbilled days that month and the average daily customer billing rate from the previous month (which fluctuates based upon customer usage).

Contract terms are generally short-term and at will by customers and, as a result, no separate financing component is recognized for the Company's collections from customers, which generally require payment within 30 days of billing. The Company applies judgment, based principally on historical payment experience, in estimating its customers’ ability to pay.

Certain customers are not billed for volumetric consumption, but are instead billed a flat rate at the beginning of each monthly service period. The amount billed is initially deferred and subsequently recognized over the monthly service period, as the performance obligation is satisfied. The deferred revenue balance or contract liability, which is included in "accrued expenses and other liabilities" on the condensed consolidated balance sheets, is inconsequential.

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In the following tables, revenue from contracts with customers is disaggregated by class of customers for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019:


	Three Months Ended September 30
	2020		2019
Residential	$	151,938	$	139,137
Business	36,951		38,247
Industrial	7,496		9,077
Public authorities	12,862		12,482
Other (a)	13,227		16,020
Total revenue from contracts with customers	$	222,474	$	214,963


	Nine Months Ended September 30
	2020		2019
Residential	$	360,935	$	330,745
Business	93,175		95,433
Industrial	21,996		23,866
Public authorities	26,470		24,566
Other (a)	27,228		25,230
Total revenue from contracts with customers	$	529,804	$	499,840

(a) Other includes the accrued unbilled revenue.

Regulatory balancing account revenue

The Company’s ability to recover revenue requirements authorized by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) in its triennial general rate case (GRC) is decoupled from the volume of the sales. Regulatory balancing account revenue is revenue related to rate mechanisms authorized in California by the CPUC, which allow the Company to recover the authorized revenue and are not considered contracts with customers. These mechanisms include the following:

The WRAM allows the Company to recognize the adopted level of volumetric revenues. The variance between adopted volumetric revenues and actual billed volumetric revenues for metered accounts is recorded as regulatory balancing account revenue.

Cost-recovery rates, such as the MCBA, Conservation Expense Balancing Account (CEBA), PCBA, and HCBA, generally provide for recovery of the adopted levels of expenses for purchased water, purchased power, pump taxes, water conservation program costs, pension, and health care. Variances between adopted and actual costs are recorded as regulatory balancing account revenue.

Due to the delay in the resolution of the 2018 GRC, the CPUC authorized Cal Water to track the effect of the delay on customer billings in IRMA effective January 1, 2020. Variances between actual customer billings and those that would have been billed assuming the GRC had been effective January 1, 2020 are recorded as regulatory balancing account revenue. In the third quarter of 2020, Cal Water determined that the IRMA met regulatory asset recognition criteria under accounting standards for regulated utilities.

Each district's WRAM and MCBA regulatory assets and liabilities are allowed to be netted against one another. The Company recognizes regulatory balancing account revenues that have been authorized for rate recovery, are objectively determinable and probable of recovery, and are expected to be collected within 24 months. To the extent that regulatory balancing account revenue is estimated to be collectible beyond 24 months, recognition is deferred.

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Non-regulated Revenue

The following tables disaggregate the Company’s non-regulated revenue by source for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019:


	Three Months Ended September 30
	2020		2019
Operating and maintenance revenue	$	2,680	$	2,929
Other non-regulated revenue	625		626
Non-regulated revenue from contracts with customers	$	3,305	$	3,555
Lease revenue	$	629	$	563
Total non-regulated revenue	$	3,934	$	4,118


	Nine Months Ended September 30
	2020		2019
Operating and maintenance revenue	$	7,969	$	9,248
Other non-regulated revenue	2,223		3,189
Non-regulated revenue from contracts with customers	$	10,192	$	12,437
Lease revenue	$	1,777	$	1,712
Total non-regulated revenue	$	11,969	$	14,149

Operating and maintenance services are provided for non-regulated water and wastewater systems owned by private companies and municipalities. The Company negotiates formal agreements with the customers, under which they provide operating, maintenance and customer billing services related to the customers’ water system. The formal agreements outline the fee schedule for the services provided. The agreements typically call for a fee-per-service or a flat-rate amount per month. The Company satisfies its performance obligation of providing operating and maintenance services over time as services are rendered; as a result, the Company employs the invoice practical expedient and recognizes revenue in the amount that it has the right to invoice. Contract terms are generally short-term and, as a result, no separate financing component is recognized for its collections from customers, which generally require payment within 30 days of billing.

Other non-regulated revenue primarily relates to services for the design and installation of water mains and other water infrastructure for customers outside the regulated service areas and insurance program administration.

Lease revenue is not considered revenue from contracts with customers and is recognized following operating lease standards. The Company is the lessor in operating lease agreements with telecommunications companies under which cellular phone antennas are placed on the Company's property.

Allowance for credit losses

The Company measures expected credit losses for Customer Receivables, Other Receivables, and Unbilled Revenue on an aggregated level. These receivables are generally trade receivables due in one year or less or expected to be billed and collected in one year or less. The expected credit losses for Other Receivables and Unbilled Revenue are inconsequential. Customer receivables include receivables for water and wastewater services provided to residential customers, business, industrial, public authorities, and other customers. The overall risks related to the Company’s receivables are low as water and wastewater services are seen as essential services. The estimate for the allowance for credit losses is based on a historical loss ratio, in conjunction with a qualitative assessment of elements that impact the collectability of receivables to determine if the allowance for credit losses should be further adjusted in accordance with the accounting guidance for credit losses. Management contemplates available current information such as changes in economic factors, regulatory matters, industry trends, payment options and programs available to customers, and the methods that the Company is able to utilize to ensure payment.

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During the third quarter of 2020, the Company reviewed its allowance for credit losses utilizing a quantitative assessment, which included trend analysis of customer billing and collection, aging by customer class, and unemployment rates since the outbreak of COVID-19 in the first quarter of 2020. The Company also utilized a qualitative assessment, which considered the future collectability on customer outstanding balances, management's estimate of the cash recovery, and a general assessment of the economic conditions of the locations the Company serves due to the outbreak of COVID-19. The Company is complying with the CPUC requirements to suspend customer disconnections for non-payment and ceased agency collection activities, and anticipates this situation will continue until April 1, 2021. Based on the above assessments, the Company expects an increase in customer receivable write-offs as compared to historical experiences and adjusted its allowance for credit losses, accordingly.

The following table presents the activity in the allowance for credit losses for the period ended September 30, 2020:


Allowance for credit losses	As of September 30, 2020
Beginning balance	771
Provision for credit loss expense	2,895
Write-offs	(1,317)
Recoveries	396
Total ending allowance balance	$	2,745

Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Restricted Cash

The following table provides a reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash within the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets that sum to the total of the same such amounts shown on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows:


	September 30, 2020		December 31, 2019
Cash and cash equivalents	113,312		42,653
Restricted cash (included in "taxes, prepaid expenses and other assets")	638		645
Total cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash shown in the statements of cash flows	$	113,950	$	43,298

Adoption of New Accounting Standards

In June of 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments, which changed the impairment model for certain financial assets that have a contractual right to receive cash, including trade and loan receivables. The new model required recognition based upon an estimation of expected credit losses rather than recognition of losses when it is probable that they have been incurred. ASU 2016-13 was effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019, with early adoption permitted. The Company adopted the standard utilizing the modified retrospective method for its trade receivables and unbilled revenue on January 1, 2020. Based on the composition of the Company’s trade receivables and unbilled revenue, and expected future losses, the adoption of ASU 2016-13 did not have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

In January of 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment, which eliminated the second step of the goodwill impairment test that required a hypothetical purchase price allocation to measure goodwill impairment. Under the new guidance, a goodwill impairment loss will be measured at the amount by which a reporting unit’s carrying amount exceeds its fair value, not to exceed the carrying amount of goodwill. ASU 2017-04 was effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019, with early adoption permitted for any impairment test performed on testing dates after January 1, 2017. The Company adopted the standard on January 1, 2020 and the adoption of the standard did not have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

In August of 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework - Changes to the Disclosure for Fair Value Measurement, which modified the disclosure requirements on fair value measurements. The modifications in this update eliminated, amended, and added disclosure requirements for fair value measurements. ASU 2018-13 was effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019, with early adoption permitted. The Company adopted the standard in part prospectively and in part retrospectively, in accordance with the requirements of ASU 2018-13, on January 1, 2020. Since the Company does not have level 3 fair value measurements or transfers between level 1 and level 2 fair value measurements, the adoption of the standard did not have a material impact on its footnote disclosures.

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Note 3. Stock-based Compensation

Equity Incentive Plan

The following table lists the number of Restricted Stock Awards (RSAs) granted and canceled during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019:


	Three Months Ended September 30		Nine Months Ended September 30
	2020	2019	2020	2019
RSAs granted	—	—	39,915	36,183
RSAs canceled	2,153	2,739	9,338	14,394

During the first nine months of 2020 and 2019, the RSAs granted were valued at $51.41 and $52.83 per share, respectively, based upon the fair value of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant. RSAs granted to officers vest over 36 months with the first year cliff vesting. RSAs granted to directors generally cliff vest at the end of 12 months.

The following table lists the number of performance-based Restricted Stock Unit Awards (RSUs) granted, issued, and canceled during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019:


	Three Months Ended September 30		Nine Months Ended September 30
	2020	2019	2020	2019
RSUs granted	—	—	32,720	26,473
RSUs issued	—	—	41,731	62,726
RSUs canceled	—	—	22,936	31,177

Each RSU award reflects a target number of shares that may be issued to the award recipient. The 2020 and 2019 RSUs granted may be issued upon completion of the three-year performance period and are recognized as expense ratably over the period using a fair value of $51.41 per share and $52.83 per share, respectively, and an estimate of RSUs earned during the period.

The Company has recorded compensation costs for the RSAs and RSUs in administrative and general operating expenses in the amount of $1.8 million and $1.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, the Company has recorded compensation costs for the RSAs and RSUs in the amount of $3.1 million and $5.3 million, respectively.

Note 4. Equity

The Company sold 432,420 shares of common stock through its at-the-market equity program and raised proceeds of $20.1 million net of $0.2 million in commissions paid under the equity distribution agreement during the three months ended September 30, 2020. During the nine months ended September 30, 2020, the Company sold 1,225,572 shares of common stock through its at-the-market equity program and raised proceeds of $57.3 million net of $0.6 million in commissions paid under the equity distribution agreement.

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The Company’s changes in total common stockholders’ equity for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 were as follows:


	Nine months ended September 30, 2020
	Common Stock			Additional Paid-in Capital		Retained Earnings		Total Stockholders' Equity
	Shares	Amount
	(In thousands)
Balance at January 1, 2020	48,532	$	485	$	362,275	$	417,146	$	779,906
Net loss						(20,307)		(20,307)
Issuance of common stock	210	2		7,227				7,229
Repurchase of common stock	(28)	—		(1,373)				(1,373)
Dividends paid on common stock ($0.2125 per share)						(10,315)		(10,315)
Balance at March 31, 2020	48,714	487		368,129		386,524		755,140
Net income						5,281		5,281
Issuance of common stock	686	7		32,056				32,063
Repurchase of common stock	(2)	—		(105)				(105)
Dividends paid on common stock ($0.2125 per share)						(10,356)		(10,356)
Balance at June 30, 2020	49,398	494		400,080		381,449		782,023
Net income						96,360		96,360
Issuance of common stock	444	4		22,410				22,414
Repurchase of common stock	(2)	—		(99)				(99)
Dividends paid on common stock ($0.2125 per share)						(10,506)		(10,506)
Balance at September 30, 2020	49,840	498		422,391		467,303		890,192


	Nine months ended September 30, 2019
	Common Stock			Additional Paid-in Capital		Retained Earnings		Total Stockholders' Equity
	Shares	Amount
	(In thousands)
Balance at January 1, 2019	48,065	$	481	$	337,623	$	392,053	$	730,157
Net loss						(7,640)		(7,640)
Issuance of common stock	109	—		3,179				3,179
Repurchase of common stock	(40)	—		(2,074)				(2,074)
Dividends paid on common stock ($0.1975 per share)						(9,493)		(9,493)
Balance at March 31, 2019	48,134	481		338,728		374,920		714,129
Net income						16,996		16,996
Issuance of common stock	8	—		1,675				1,675
Repurchase of common stock	(2)	—		(129)				(129)
Dividends paid on common stock ($0.1975 per share)						(9,507)		(9,507)
Balance at June 30, 2019	48,140	481		340,274		382,409		723,164
Net income						42,424		42,424
Issuance of common stock	9	—		1,866		—		1,866
Repurchase of common stock	(4)	—		(152)		—		(152)
Dividends paid on common stock ($0.1975 per share)						(9,507)		(9,507)
Balance at September 30, 2019	48,145	481		341,988		415,326		757,795

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Note 5. Earnings Per Share

The computations of basic and diluted earnings per share are noted in the table below. Basic earnings per share are computed by dividing the net income available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. RSAs are included in the weighted average common shares outstanding because the shares have all the same voting and dividend rights as issued and unrestricted common stock. RSUs are not included in diluted shares for financial reporting until authorized by the Organization & Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors.


	Three Months Ended September 30
	2020		2019
	(In thousands, except per share data)
Net income available to common stockholders	$	96,360	$	42,424
Weighted average common shares outstanding, basic	49,576		48,141
Weighted average common shares outstanding, dilutive	49,576		48,141
Earnings per share - basic	$	1.94	$	0.88
Earnings per share - diluted	$	1.94	$	0.88


	Nine Months Ended September 30
	2020		2019
	(In thousands, except per share data)
Net income available to common stockholders	$	81,334	$	51,780
Weighted average common shares outstanding, basic	49,034		48,121
Weighted average common shares outstanding, dilutive	49,034		48,121
Earnings per share - basic	$	1.66	$	1.08
Earnings per share - diluted	$	1.66	$	1.08

Note 6. Pension Plan and Other Postretirement Benefits

The Company provides a qualified, defined-benefit, non-contributory pension plan for substantially all employees. The Company makes annual contributions to fund the amounts accrued for in the qualified pension plan. The Company also maintains an unfunded, non-qualified, supplemental executive retirement plan. The costs of the plans are charged to expense or are capitalized in utility plant as appropriate.

The Company offers medical, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits for retirees and their spouses and dependents. Participants are required to pay a premium, which offsets a portion of the cost.

Cash contributions made by the Company to the pension plans were $25.8 million and $12.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively. Cash contributions made by the Company to the other postretirement benefit plans were $5.7 million and $5.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively. The total 2020 estimated cash contribution to the pension plans and other postretirement benefits plans are expected to be approximately $38.0 million and $7.5 million, respectively.

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The following tables list components of net periodic benefit costs for the pension plans and other postretirement benefits. The data listed under “pension plan” includes the qualified pension plan and the non-qualified supplemental executive retirement plan. The data listed under “other benefits” is for all other postretirement benefits.


	Three Months Ended September 30
	Pension Plan				Other Benefits
	2020		2019		2020		2019
Service cost	$	9,378	$	6,910	$	1,746	$	2,082
Interest cost	6,440		6,941		808		1,407
Expected return on plan assets	(8,284)		(7,581)		(1,804)		(1,475)
Amortization of prior service cost	1,058		1,262		50		49
Recognized net actuarial loss	3,208		1,821		(27)		214
Net periodic benefit cost	$	11,800	$	9,353	$	773	$	2,277


	Nine Months Ended September 30
	Pension Plan				Other Benefits
	2020		2019		2020		2019
Service cost	$	27,002	$	20,039	$	5,959	$	5,606
Interest cost	19,306		20,225		3,229		4,081
Expected return on plan assets	(24,815)		(22,714)		(5,427)		(4,346)
Amortization of prior service cost	3,172		3,786		148		148
Recognized net actuarial loss	9,599		4,445		—		421
Net periodic benefit cost	$	34,264	$	25,781	$	3,909	$	5,910

Service cost portion of the pension plan and other postretirement benefits is recognized in "administrative and general" expenses within the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income. Other components of net periodic benefit costs include interest costs, expected return on plan assets, amortization of prior service costs, and recognized net actuarial loss and are reported together as "other components of net periodic benefit cost" within the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.

Note 7. Short-term and Long-term Borrowings

On March 29, 2019, the Company and Cal Water entered into certain syndicated credit agreements, which provide for unsecured revolving credit facilities of up to an initial aggregate amount of $550.0 million for a term of five years. The Company and subsidiaries that it designates may borrow up to $150.0 million under the Company’s revolving credit facility. Cal Water may borrow up to $400.0 million under its revolving credit facility. Additionally, the credit facilities may be increased by up to an incremental $150.0 million under the Cal Water facility and $50.0 million under the Company facility, subject in each case to certain conditions.

The revolving credit facilities contain affirmative and negative covenants and events of default customary for credit facilities of this type including, among other things, limitations and prohibitions relating to additional indebtedness, liens, mergers, and asset sales. Also, these unsecured credit agreements contain financial covenants governing the Company and its subsidiaries' consolidated total capitalization ratio and interest coverage ratio.

The outstanding borrowings on the Company line of credit were $105.1 million and $55.1 million as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively. There were $270.0 million and $120.0 million of borrowings on the Cal Water line of credit as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively. The average borrowing rate for borrowings on the Company and Cal Water lines of credit during the nine months ended September 30, 2020 was 1.74% compared to 3.38% for the same period last year.

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Note 8. Income Taxes

The Company adjusts its effective tax rate each quarter to be consistent with the estimated annual effective tax rate. The Company also records the tax effect of unusual or infrequently occurring discrete items.

The provision for income taxes is shown in the tables below:


	Three Months Ended September 30
	2020		2019
Income tax expense	$	14,049	$	11,864


	Nine Months Ended September 30
	2020		2019
Income tax expense	$	10,641	$	14,509

The income tax expense increased $2.1 million to $14.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2020 as compared to $11.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2019. The increase was mainly due to an increase in operating income, partially offset by tax repair benefit and amortization of excess deferred income tax as a result of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Acts (TCJA) in the 2018 GRC proposed decision.

The income tax expense decreased $3.9 million to $10.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 as compared to income tax expense of $14.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2019. The decrease was mainly due to tax repair benefit and amortization of excess deferred income tax as a result of TCJA in the 2018 GRC proposed decision.

The Company’s effective tax rate was 11.6% and 21.9% for the nine months ended September 30, 2020, and 2019, respectively. The lower effective rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2020, was primarily due to the amortization of the excess deferred taxes as a result of the TCJA in the proposed decision for the 2018 GRC.

The US federal income tax rate was lowered by TCJA to 21% in 2018 from 35% in 2017. For the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company recorded a re-measurement of its deferred tax balances. The final impact may differ from the recorded amounts, possibly materially, due to regulatory decisions that could differ from the Company’s determination of how the impacts of the TCJA are allocated between customers and shareholders. In addition, changes in interpretations, guidance on legislative intent, and any changes in accounting standards for income taxes in response to the TCJA could also impact the recorded amounts.

The Company is continuing to work with state regulators to finalize the excess deferred tax to ensure compliance with federal normalization rules and will record any adjustments based on state regulator's decisions.

The Company had unrecognized tax benefits of approximately $12.9 million and $10.6 million as of September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively. Included in the balance of unrecognized tax benefits, is approximately $3.5 million and $3.1 million, respectively, of tax benefits that, if recognized, would result in an adjustment to the Company’s effective tax rate. The Company does not expect its unrecognized tax benefits to change significantly within the next 12 months.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”) was signed into law. The CARES Act includes provisions relating to refundable payroll tax credits, deferral of certain payroll taxes, technical corrections to tax depreciation methods for qualified improvement property, net operating loss carryback periods, alternative minimum tax credit refunds and modifications to the net interest deduction limitations which are not expected to have a material impact to the Company’s consolidated financial statements. The Company evaluated the provisions of the CARES Act and determined that it did not have a material effect on the Company's consolidated financial statements as of September 30, 2020.

Note 9. Regulatory Assets and Liabilities

The CPUC follows a rate case plan which requires Cal Water to file a GRC for each of its regulated operating districts every three years. In a GRC proceeding, the CPUC not only considers the utility's rate setting requests, but may also consider other issues that affect the utility's rates and operations. The CPUC is generally required to issue its GRC decision prior to the first day of the test year or authorize interim rates. In accordance with the rate case plan, Cal Water filed its 2018 GRC application in July of 2018 requesting rate changes effective January 1, 2020. On October 8, 2019, Cal Water jointly filed a formal settlement agreement for its 2018 GRC with the Public Advocates Office of the CPUC covering the

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majority of open matters in the case. The key matters not included in the settlement, and which were litigated, were continuation of the WRAM, MCBA, PCBA, and HCBA. On October 14, 2020, an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) with the CPUC issued a proposed decision that is subject to adoption by the CPUC no earlier than the CPUC’s November 19, 2020 meeting. If adopted as proposed, the decision would approve the settlement reached in October of 2019 by Cal Water and the CPUC’s Public Advocates Office, allow Cal Water to continue its decoupling balancing accounts through 2022, and allow Cal Water to retain its PCBA and HCBA. Under this proposed decision, Cal Water would be authorized to invest $828.0 million in its districts throughout California through 2021. This includes $148 million of water system infrastructure upgrades that would be recovered via the CPUC’s advice letter procedure once those projects are completed. The proposed decision also authorizes total revenue of up to $698.7 million for 2020.

The Company determined that the proposed decision provides additional evidence about conditions that existed as of September 30, 2020. As of November 6, 2020, the Company believes it is probable the proposed decision will be adopted by the CPUC without any material variation and accordingly, the Company recorded regulatory assets and associated revenues resulting from the regulatory mechanisms approved in the proposed decision as of September 30, 2020. In the unlikely event that the CPUC does not approve the proposed decision as issued, the Company will need to adjust regulatory asset balances and revenues in the fourth quarter of 2020.

Regulatory assets and liabilities were comprised of the following as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019:


	Recovery Period	September 30, 2020		December 31, 2019
Regulatory Assets
Pension and retiree group health	Indefinitely	$	207,828	$	208,321
Property-related temporary differences (tax benefits flowed through to customers)	Indefinitely	107,962		104,931
Other accrued benefits	Indefinitely	21,434		20,030
Net WRAM and MCBA long-term accounts receivable	1 - 2 years	40,036		25,465
Asset retirement obligations, net	Indefinitely	21,018		19,567
Interim rates long-term accounts receivable	1 year	21,672		4,642
Tank coating	10 years	14,209		13,535
Recoverable property losses	10 years	4,775		5,000
PCBA	1 year	32,819		21,465
Other components of net periodic benefit cost	Indefinitely	6,316		5,145
Other regulatory assets	Various	6,366		5,221
Total Regulatory Assets		$	484,435	$	433,322

Regulatory Liabilities
Future tax benefits due to customers		$	173,048	$	194,501
HCBA		7,407		4,271
CEBA		2,926		2,742
Net WRAM and MCBA long-term payable		374		211
Tax accounting memorandum account		711		806
Cost of capital memorandum account		15		151
1,2,3 trichloropropane (TCP) settlement proceeds		9,084		8,426
Other regulatory liabilities		374		305
Total Regulatory Liabilities		$	193,939	$	211,413

Short-term regulatory assets and liabilities are excluded from the above table.

The short-term regulatory assets were $54.4 million as of September 30, 2020 and $38.2 million as of December 31, 2019. As of September 30, 2020, the short-term regulatory assets primarily consist of net WRAM and MCBA receivables and IRMA receivables. As of December 31, 2019, the short-term regulatory assets primarily consist of net WRAM and MCBA receivables.

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The short-term portions of regulatory liabilities were $11.0 million as of September 30, 2020 and $4.5 million as of December 31, 2019. The short-term regulatory liabilities as of September 30, 2020, primarily consist of 2015 GRC CEBA refunds and TCJA customer refunds. As of December 31, 2019, the short-term regulatory liabilities primarily consist of TCP settlement proceeds, tax accounting memorandum account refunds, and cost of capital memorandum account refunds.

Note 10. Commitments and Contingencies

Commitments

The Company has significant commitments to purchase water from water wholesalers. The Company also has operating and finance leases for water systems, offices, land easements, licenses, equipment, and other facilities. These commitments and leases are described in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019.

As of September 30, 2020, there were no significant changes in these commitments from December 31, 2019.

Contingencies

Groundwater Contamination

The Company has undertaken litigation against third parties to recover past and anticipated costs related to groundwater contamination in our service areas. The cost of litigation is expensed as incurred and any settlement is first offset against such costs. The CPUC’s general policy requires all proceeds from groundwater contamination litigation to be used first to pay transactional expenses, then to make customers whole for water treatment costs to comply with the CPUC’s water quality standards. The CPUC allows for a risk-based consideration of contamination proceeds which exceed the costs of the remediation described above and may result in some sharing of proceeds with the shareholder, determined on a case by case basis. The CPUC has authorized various memorandum accounts that allow the Company to track significant litigation costs and to request recovery of these costs in future filings.

Other Legal Matters

From time to time, the Company is involved in various disputes and litigation matters that arise in the ordinary course of business. The status of each significant matter is reviewed and assessed for potential financial exposure. If the potential loss from any claim or legal proceeding is considered probable and the amount of the range of loss can be estimated, a liability is accrued for the estimated loss in accordance with the accounting standards for contingencies. Legal proceedings are subject to uncertainties, and the outcomes are difficult to predict. Because of such uncertainties, accruals are based on the best information available at the time. While the outcome of these disputes and litigation matters cannot be predicted with any certainty, management does not believe when taking into account existing reserves the ultimate resolution of these matters will materially affect the Company’s financial position, results of operations, or cash flows. As of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the Company recognized a liability of $2.4 million and $2.5 million, respectively, for known legal matters. The cost of litigation is expensed as incurred and any settlement is first offset against such costs. Any settlement in excess of the cost to litigate is accounted for on a case by case basis, dependent on the nature of the settlement.

Note 11. Fair Value of Financial Assets and Liabilities

The accounting guidance for fair value measurements and disclosures provides a single definition of fair value and requires certain disclosures about assets and liabilities measured at fair value. A hierarchical framework for disclosing the observability of the inputs utilized in measuring assets and liabilities at fair value is established by this guidance. The three levels in the hierarchy are as follows:

Level 1 - Inputs to the valuation methodology are unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets that the Company has the ability to access.

Level 2 - Inputs to the valuation methodology include:

•Quoted market prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets;

•Quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in inactive markets;

•Inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability; and

•Inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means.

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If the asset or liability has a specified (contractual) term, the level 2 input must be observable for substantially the full term of the asset or liability.

Level 3 - Inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable and significant to the fair value measurement.

Specific valuation methods include the following:

Accounts receivable and accounts payable carrying amounts approximated the fair value because of the short-term maturity of the instruments.

Long-term debt fair values were estimated using the published quoted market price of similar securities, if available, or the discounted cash flow analysis, based on the current rates available using a risk-free rate (a U.S. Treasury securities yield curve) plus a risk premium of 1.83%.

Advances for construction fair values were estimated using broker quotes from companies that frequently purchase these investments.


	September 30, 2020
			Fair Value
	Cost		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Long-term debt, including current maturities, net	$	806,938	—		$	991,973	—		$	991,973
Advances for construction	196,853		—		82,150		—		82,150
Total	$	1,003,791	$	—	$	1,074,123	$	—	$	1,074,123


	December 31, 2019
			Fair Value
	Cost		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Long-term debt, including current maturities, net	$	808,622	$	—	$	873,454	$	—	$	873,454
Advances for construction	191,062		—		79,550		—		79,550
Total	$	999,684	—		$	953,004	$	—	$	953,004

Note 12. Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements

On November 17, 2010, Cal Water issued $100.0 million aggregate principal amount of 5.50% First Mortgage Bonds due 2040, all of which is fully and unconditionally guaranteed by the Company. As a result of this guarantee arrangement, the Company is required to present the following condensed consolidating financial information. The investments in affiliates are accounted for and presented using the “equity method” of accounting.

The following tables present the Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the Condensed Consolidating Statements of Income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, and the Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 of (i) California Water Service Group, the guarantor of the First Mortgage Bonds and the parent company; (ii) California Water Service Company, the issuer of the First Mortgage Bonds and a 100% owned consolidated subsidiary of California Water Service Group; and (iii) the other 100% owned non-guarantor consolidated subsidiaries of California Water Service Group. No other subsidiary of the Company guarantees the securities.

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CALIFORNIA WATER SERVICE GROUP

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET

As of September 30, 2020

(In thousands)


	Parent Company		Cal Water		All Other Subsidiaries		Consolidating Adjustments		Consolidated
ASSETS
Utility plant:
Utility plant	$	1,318	$	3,559,329	$	281,744	$	(7,197)	$	3,835,194
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	(1,177)		(1,151,266)		(88,676)		2,239		(1,238,880)
Net utility plant	141		2,408,063		193,068		(4,958)		2,596,314
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	16,679		85,877		10,756		—		113,312
Receivables and unbilled revenue, net	—		160,479		8,636		—		169,115
Receivables from affiliates	26,962		942		261		(28,165)		—
Other current assets	272		20,933		2,132		—		23,337
Total current assets	43,913		268,231		21,785		(28,165)		305,764
Other assets:
Regulatory assets	—		479,613		4,822		—		484,435
Investments in affiliates	917,901		—		—		(917,901)		—
Long-term affiliate notes receivable	32,659		—		—		(32,659)		—
Other assets	2,349		84,154		33,636		(218)		119,921
Total other assets	952,909		563,767		38,458		(950,778)		604,356
TOTAL ASSETS	$	996,963	$	3,240,061	$	253,311	$	(983,901)	$	3,506,434
CAPITALIZATION AND LIABILITIES
Capitalization:
Common stockholders’ equity	$	890,192	$	805,444	$	117,633	$	(923,077)	$	890,192
Affiliate long-term debt	—		—		32,659		(32,659)		—
Long-term debt, net	—		784,715		340		—		785,055
Total capitalization	890,192		1,590,159		150,632		(955,736)		1,675,247
Current liabilities:
Current maturities of long-term debt, net	—		21,763		120		—		21,883
Short-term borrowings	105,100		270,000		—		—		375,100
Payables to affiliates	—		2,940		25,225		(28,165)		—
Accounts payable	—		123,129		4,029		—		127,158
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	31		73,913		5,738		—		79,682
Total current liabilities	105,131		491,745		35,112		(28,165)		603,823
Deferred income taxes	1,640		235,791		8,025		—		245,456
Pension and postretirement benefits other than pensions	—		261,081		—		—		261,081
Regulatory liabilities and other	—		251,230		5,824		—		257,054
Advances for construction	—		196,324		529		—		196,853
Contributions in aid of construction	—		213,731		53,189		—		266,920
TOTAL CAPITALIZATION AND LIABILITIES	$	996,963	$	3,240,061	$	253,311	$	(983,901)	$	3,506,434

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CALIFORNIA WATER SERVICE GROUP

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET

As of December 31, 2019

(In thousands)


	Parent Company		Cal Water		All Other Subsidiaries		Consolidating Adjustments		Consolidated
ASSETS
Utility plant:
Utility plant	$	1,318	$	3,332,331	$	224,033	$	(7,197)	$	3,550,485
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	(1,107)		(1,079,627)		(65,561)		2,180		(1,144,115)
Net utility plant	211		2,252,704		158,472		(5,017)		2,406,370
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	3,096		29,098		10,459		—		42,653
Receivables and unbilled revenue, net	—		114,999		4,350		—		119,349
Receivables from affiliates	25,803		3,621		209		(29,633)		—
Other current assets	90		20,615		2,005		—		22,710
Total current assets	28,989		168,333		17,023		(29,633)		184,712
Other assets:
Regulatory assets	—		428,639		4,683		—		433,322
Investments in affiliates	777,170		—		—		(777,170)		—
Long-term affiliate notes receivable	30,060		—		—		(30,060)		—
Other assets	409		81,591		5,125		(221)		86,904
Total other assets	807,639		510,230		9,808		(807,451)		520,226
TOTAL ASSETS	$	836,839	$	2,931,267	$	185,303	$	(842,101)	$	3,111,308
CAPITALIZATION AND LIABILITIES
Capitalization:
Common stockholders’ equity	$	779,906	$	700,784	81,604		$	(782,388)	$	779,906
Affiliate long-term debt	—		—		30,060		(30,060)		—
Long-term debt, net	—		786,310		444		—		786,754
Total capitalization	779,906		1,487,094		112,108		(812,448)		1,566,660
Current liabilities:
Current maturities of long-term debt, net	—		21,732		136		—		21,868
Short-term borrowings	55,100		120,000		—		—		175,100
Payables to affiliates	—		6,115		23,518		(29,633)		—
Accounts payable	—		104,419		4,044		—		108,463
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	313		50,569		2,408		—		53,290
Total current liabilities	55,413		302,835		30,106		(29,633)		358,721
Deferred income taxes	1,520		217,847		3,243		(20)		222,590
Pension and postretirement benefits other than pensions	—		258,907		—		—		258,907
Regulatory and other liabilities	—		264,434		7,397		—		271,831
Advances for construction	—		190,568		494		—		191,062
Contributions in aid of construction	—		209,582		31,955		—		241,537
TOTAL CAPITALIZATION AND LIABILITIES	$	836,839	$	2,931,267	$	185,303	$	(842,101)	$	3,111,308

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CALIFORNIA WATER SERVICE GROUP

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF INCOME

For the three months ended September 30, 2020

(In thousands)


	Parent Company		Cal Water		All Other Subsidiaries		Consolidating Adjustments		Consolidated
Operating revenue	$	—	$	287,820	$	16,288	$	—	$	304,108
Operating expenses:
Operations:
Water production costs	—		82,829		2,515		—		85,344
Administrative and general	—		25,802		3,406		—		29,208
Other operations	—		27,312		2,579		(145)		29,746
Maintenance	—		6,872		257		—		7,129
Depreciation and amortization	23		22,984		1,712		(20)		24,699
Income tax (benefit) expense	(113)		12,787		930		200		13,804
Property and other taxes	—		6,948		1,168		—		8,116
Total operating (income) expenses	(90)		185,534		12,567		35		198,046
Net operating income	90		102,286		3,721		(35)		106,062
Other income and expenses:
Non-regulated revenue	549		3,588		492		(695)		3,934
Non-regulated expenses	—		(2,321)		(544)		—		(2,865)
Other components of net periodic benefit cost	—		(1,016)		8		—		(1,008)
Allowance for equity funds used during construction	—		973		—		—		973
Income tax (expense) benefit on other income and expenses	(152)		(289)		2		194		(245)
Net other income (loss)	397		935		(42)		(501)		789
Interest:
Interest expense	393		10,762		556		(549)		11,162
Allowance for borrowed funds used during construction	—		(631)		(40)		—		(671)
Net interest expense	393		10,131		516		(549)		10,491
Equity earnings of subsidiaries	96,266		—		—		(96,266)		—
Net income	$	96,360	$	93,090	$	3,163	$	(96,253)	$	96,360

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CALIFORNIA WATER SERVICE GROUP

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF INCOME

For the three months ended September 30, 2019

(In thousands)


	Parent Company		Cal Water		All Other Subsidiaries		Consolidating Adjustments		Consolidated
Operating revenue	$	—	$	219,261	$	13,276	$	—	$	232,537
Operating expenses:
Operations:
Water production costs	—		78,048		2,520		—		80,568
Administrative and general	—		24,498		2,281		—		26,779
Other operations	—		22,872		1,825		(147)		24,550
Maintenance	—		6,823		242		—		7,065
Depreciation and amortization	23		20,770		1,501		(21)		22,273
Income tax (benefit) expense	(132)		11,332		779		215		12,194
Property and other taxes	—		6,620		921		—		7,541
Total operating (income) expenses	(109)		170,963		10,069		47		180,970
Net operating income	109		48,298		3,207		(47)		51,567
Other income and expenses:
Non-regulated revenue	599		3,865		399		(745)		4,118
Non-regulated expenses	—		(3,907)		(444)		—		(4,351)
Other components of net periodic benefit cost	—		(1,784)		(73)		—		(1,857)
Allowance for equity funds used during construction	—		1,868		—		—		1,868
Income tax (expense) benefit on other income and expenses	(168)		268		22		208		330
Net other income (loss)	431		310		(96)		(537)		108
Interest:
Interest expense	450		9,820		608		(599)		10,279
Allowance for borrowed funds used during construction	—		(954)		(74)		—		(1,028)
Net interest expense	450		8,866		534		(599)		9,251
Equity earnings of subsidiaries	42,334		—		—		(42,334)		—
Net income	$	42,424	$	39,742	$	2,577	$	(42,319)	$	42,424

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CALIFORNIA WATER SERVICE GROUP

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF INCOME

For the nine months ended September 30, 2020

(In thousands)


	Parent Company		Cal Water		All Other Subsidiaries		Consolidating Adjustments		Consolidated
Operating revenue	$	—	$	567,494	$	37,661	$	—	$	605,155
Operating expenses:
Operations:
Water production costs	—		203,485		6,977		—		210,462
Administrative and general	—		77,025		8,802		—		85,827
Other operations	—		63,427		6,628		(437)		69,618
Maintenance	—		19,980		944		—		20,924
Depreciation and amortization	70		68,886		4,836		(59)		73,733
Income tax (benefit) expense	(341)		9,054		1,176		600		10,489
Property and other taxes	—		19,618		2,852		—		22,470
Total operating (income) expenses	(271)		461,475		32,215		104		493,523
Net operating income	271		106,019		5,446		(104)		111,632
Other income and expenses:
Non-regulated revenue	1,648		11,102		1,304		(2,085)		11,969
Non-regulated expenses	—		(10,864)		(947)		—		(11,811)
Other components of net periodic benefit cost	—		(3,717)		(53)		—		(3,770)
Allowance for equity funds used during construction	—		4,292		—		—		4,292
Income tax expense on other income and expenses	(460)		(179)		(96)		583		(152)
Net other income	1,188		634		208		(1,502)		528
Interest:
Interest expense	1,161		32,402		1,658		(1,648)		33,573
Allowance for borrowed funds used during construction	—		(2,604)		(143)		—		(2,747)
Net interest expense	1,161		29,798		1,515		(1,648)		30,826
Equity earnings of subsidiaries	81,036		—		—		(81,036)		—
Net income	$	81,334	$	76,855	$	4,139	$	(80,994)	$	81,334

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CALIFORNIA WATER SERVICE GROUP

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF INCOME

For the nine months ended September 30, 2019

(In thousands)


	Parent Company		Cal Water		All Other Subsidiaries		Consolidating Adjustments		Consolidated
Operating revenue	$	—	$	502,785	$	34,894	$	—	$	537,679
Operating expenses:
Operations:
Water production costs	—		183,617		7,178		—		190,795
Administrative and general	23		73,908		7,379		—		81,310
Other operations	—		59,851		5,499		(437)		64,913
Maintenance	—		18,469		743		—		19,212
Depreciation and amortization	70		62,471		4,488		(62)		66,967
Income tax (benefit) expense	(411)		12,019		1,265		651		13,524
Property and other taxes	—		19,431		2,471		—		21,902
Total operating (income) expenses	(318)		429,766		29,023		152		458,623
Net operating income	318		73,019		5,871		(152)		79,056
Other income and expenses:
Non-regulated revenue	1,826		13,374		1,212		(2,263)		14,149
Non-regulated expenses	—		(9,610)		(860)		—		(10,470)
Other components of net periodic benefit cost	—		(4,177)		(131)		—		(4,308)
Allowance for equity funds used during construction	—		5,087		—		—		5,087
Income tax expense on other income and expenses	(511)		(1,028)		(79)		633		(985)
Net other income	1,315		3,646		142		(1,630)		3,473
Interest:
Interest expense	1,376		32,141		1,841		(1,826)		33,532
Allowance for borrowed funds used during construction	—		(2,592)		(191)		—		(2,783)
Net interest expense	1,376		29,549		1,650		(1,826)		30,749
Equity earnings of subsidiaries	51,523		—		—		(51,523)		—
Net income	$	51,780	$	47,116	$	4,363	$	(51,479)	$	51,780

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CALIFORNIA WATER SERVICE GROUP

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

For the nine months ended September 30, 2020

(In thousands)


	Parent Company		Cal Water		All Other Subsidiaries		Consolidating Adjustments		Consolidated
Operating activities:
Net income	$	81,334	$	76,855	$	4,139	$	(80,994)	$	81,334
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Equity earnings of subsidiaries	(81,036)		—		—		81,036		—
Dividends received from affiliates	31,177		—		—		(31,177)		—
Depreciation and amortization	70		70,604		4,935		(59)		75,550
Changes in value of life insurance contracts	—		(621)		—		—		(621)
Allowance for equity funds used during construction	—		(4,292)		—		—		(4,292)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities	(463)		(17,633)		(311)		—		(18,407)
Other changes in noncurrent assets and liabilities	3,262		(42,184)		2,005		17		(36,900)
Net cash provided by operating activities	34,344		82,729		10,768		(31,177)		96,664
Investing activities:
Utility plant expenditures	—		(212,288)		(8,973)		—		(221,261)
Business acquisition, net of cash acquired	(1,950)		—		(37,594)		—		(39,544)
Investment in affiliates	(90,871)		—		—		90,871		—
Changes in affiliate advances	2,238		2,679		(145)		(4,772)		—
Issuance of affiliate short-term borrowings	(3,500)		—		—		3,500		—
Issuance of affiliate long-term borrowings	(4,076)		—		—		4,076		—
Reduction of affiliates long-term debt	1,580		—		—		(1,580)		—
Purchase of life insurance contracts	—		(2,335)		—		—		(2,335)
Net cash used in investing activities	(96,579)		(211,944)		(46,712)		92,095		(263,140)
Financing Activities:
Short-term borrowings	50,000		220,000		—		—		270,000
Repayment of short-term borrowings	—		(70,000)		—		—		(70,000)
Investment from affiliates	—		57,266		33,605		(90,871)		—
Changes in affiliate advances	—		(3,175)		(1,597)		4,772		—
Proceeds from affiliate short-term borrowings	—		—		3,500		(3,500)		—
Proceeds from affiliate long-term borrowings	—		—		4,076		(4,076)		—
Repayment of affiliates long-term borrowings	—		—		(1,580)		1,580		—
Repayment of long-term debt	—		(1,415)		(120)		—		(1,535)
Advances and contributions in aid of construction	—		19,735		127		—		19,862
Refunds of advances for construction	—		(7,015)		(2)		—		(7,017)
Repurchase of common stock	(1,578)		—		—		—		(1,578)
Issuance of common stock	58,573		—		—		—		58,573
Dividends paid to non-affiliates	(31,177)		—		—		—		(31,177)
Dividends paid to affiliates	—		(29,461)		(1,716)		31,177		—
Net cash provided by financing activities	75,818		185,935		36,293		(60,918)		237,128
Change in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash	13,583		56,720		349		—		70,652
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at beginning of period	3,096		29,679		10,523		—		43,298
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at end of period	$	16,679	$	86,399	$	10,872	—		$	113,950

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CALIFORNIA WATER SERVICE GROUP

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

For the nine months ended September 30, 2019

(In thousands)


	Parent Company		Cal Water		All Other Subsidiaries		Consolidating Adjustments		Consolidated
Operating activities:
Net income	$	51,780	$	47,116	$	4,363	$	(51,479)	$	51,780
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Equity earnings of subsidiaries	(51,523)		—		—		51,523		—
Dividends received from affiliates	28,507		—		—		(28,507)		—
Depreciation and amortization	70		63,975		4,539		(62)		68,522
Changes in value of life insurance contracts	—		(3,433)		—		—		(3,433)
Allowance for equity funds used during construction	—		(5,087)		—		—		(5,087)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities	194		(6,744)		1,509		—		(5,041)
Other changes in noncurrent assets and liabilities	5,239		14,560		1,785		18		21,602
Net cash provided by operating activities	34,267		110,387		12,196		(28,507)		128,343
Investing activities:
Utility plant expenditures	—		(185,883)		(9,059)		—		(194,942)
Changes in affiliate advances	(3,199)		3,534		(320)		(15)		—
Issuance of affiliate short-term borrowings	(4,300)		—		—		4,300		—
Reduction of affiliates long-term debt	1,462		—		—		(1,462)		—
Purchase of life insurance contracts	—		(2,216)		—		—		(2,216)
Net cash used in investing activities	(6,037)		(184,565)		(9,379)		2,823		(197,158)
Financing Activities:
Short-term borrowings	—		210,000		—		—		210,000
Repayment of short-term borrowings	—		(120,000)		—		—		(120,000)
Changes in affiliate advances	(17)		4,419		(4,417)		15		—
Proceeds from affiliate short-term borrowings	—		—		4,300		(4,300)		—
Repayment of affiliates long-term borrowings	—		—		(1,462)		1,462		—
Issuance of long-term debt, net of expenses	—		398,431		—		—		398,431
Repayment of long-term debt	—		(401,417)		(213)		—		(401,630)
Advances and contributions in aid for construction	—		21,176		90		—		21,266
Refunds of advances for construction	—		(5,560)		—		—		(5,560)
Repurchase of common stock	(2,355)		—		—		—		(2,355)
Issuance of common stock	1,278		—		—		—		1,278
Dividends paid to non-affiliates	(28,507)		—		—		—		(28,507)
Dividends paid to affiliates	—		(27,419)		(1,088)		28,507		—
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	(29,601)		79,630		(2,790)		25,684		72,923
Change in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash	(1,371)		5,452		27		—		4,108
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at beginning of period	3,779		34,238		9,698		—		47,715
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at end of period	$	2,408	$	39,690	$	9,725	—		$	51,823

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Note 13. Acquisition

On March 27, 2020, the Company’s wholly owned subsidiary, Washington Water, received regulatory approval from the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (WUTC) for Washington Water's application for the sale and transfer of assets of Rainier View Water Company. Washington Water paid $37.6 million in cash to take control of the water system on June 1, 2020. The acquisition of Rainier View Water doubles the size of Washington Water’s operations and solidifies the Company’s position as the largest investor-owned water company in the state of Washington, regulated by the WUTC. Rainier View Water serves approximately 35,000 people in parts of Graham, Spanaway, Puyallup, Gig Harbor, and other nearby areas through approximately 18,500 customer connections in 27 water systems.

Assets acquired were $32.7 million, including utility plant of $31.1 million, and liabilities of $22.9 million were assumed, including $21.3 million of contributions in aid of construction. Goodwill of $27.7 million was recorded and consists largely of the synergies expected from combining the operations of Rainier View Water Company and Washington Water. In the third quarter of 2020, the Company finalized identifying the acquired assets and liabilities. The Company is still in the process of finalizing the valuation of certain intangible assets; therefore, the goodwill recorded is subject to further refinement upon completion.

The Company expects all the goodwill from the acquisition to be deductible for tax purposes.

Condensed balance sheets and pro forma results of operations for this acquisition have not been presented since the impact of the acquisition was not material.

Item 2

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF

FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Dollar amounts in thousands unless otherwise stated

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

This quarterly report, including all documents incorporated by reference, contains forward-looking statements within the meaning established by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements in this quarterly report are based on currently available information, expectations, estimates, assumptions and projections, and our management’s beliefs, assumptions, judgments and expectations about us, the water utility industry and general economic conditions, including statements regarding the anticipated impact on our business of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and related public health measures. These statements are not statements of historical fact. When used in our documents, statements that are not historical in nature, including words like “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “may,” “estimates,” “assumes,” “anticipates,” “projects,” “predicts,” “forecasts,” “should,” “seeks,” or variations of these words or similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance. They are based on numerous assumptions that we believe are reasonable, but they are open to a wide range of uncertainties and business risks. Consequently, actual results may vary materially from what is contained in a forward-looking statement.

Factors which may cause actual results to be different than those expected or anticipated include, but are not limited to:

•the outcome of the CPUC's decision on the proposed decision issued by an ALJ with respect to the litigated balancing accounts for Cal Water's 2018 GRC filing. Failure of the CPUC to accept the proposed decision could have a material effect on our results of operations. If the CPUC were to change the ALJ's proposed decision and discontinue the litigated balancing accounts effective December 31, 2019, the impact to the Company would be a material decrease in the Company's 2020, 2021, and 2022 operating revenue and net operating income;

•the impact of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and related public health measures;

•our ability to invest or apply the proceeds from the issuance of common stock in an accretive manner;

•governmental and regulatory commissions' decisions, including decisions on proper disposition of property;

•consequences of eminent domain actions relating to our water systems;

•changes in regulatory commissions' policies and procedures;

•the outcome and timeliness of regulatory commissions' actions concerning rate relief and other actions;

•increased risk of inverse condemnation losses as a result of climate conditions;

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•our ability to renew leases to operate water systems owned by others on beneficial terms;

•changes in California State Water Resources Control Board water quality standards;

•changes in environmental compliance and water quality requirements;

•electric power interruptions, especially as a result of Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) programs;

•housing and customer growth;

•the impact of opposition to rate increases;

•our ability to recover costs;

•availability of water supplies;

•issues with the implementation, maintenance or security of our information technology systems;

•civil disturbances or terrorist threats or acts;

•the adequacy of our efforts to mitigate physical and cyber security risks and threats;

•the ability of our enterprise risk management processes to identify or address risks adequately;

•labor relations matters as we negotiate with the unions;

•changes in customer water use patterns and the effects of conservation;

•our ability to complete, successfully integrate and achieve anticipated benefits from announced acquisitions;

•the impact of weather, climate, natural disasters, and actual or threatened public health emergencies, including disease outbreaks, on our operations, water quality, water availability, water sales and operating results and the adequacy of our emergency preparedness; and

•the risks set forth in “Risk Factors” included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019.

In light of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this quarterly report or as of the date of any document incorporated by reference in this report, as applicable. When considering forward-looking statements, investors should keep in mind the cautionary statements in this quarterly report and the documents incorporated by reference. We are not under any obligation, and we expressly disclaim any obligation, to update or alter any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

We maintain our accounting records in accordance with GAAP and as directed by the Commissions to which our operations are subject. The process of preparing financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires the use of estimates on the part of management. The estimates used by management are based on historic experience and an understanding of current facts and circumstances. Management believes that the following accounting policies are critical because they involve a higher degree of complexity and judgment, and can have a material impact on our results of operations, financial condition, and cash flows of the business. These policies and their key characteristics are discussed in detail in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019. They include:

•revenue recognition;

•regulated utility accounting;

•income taxes;

•pension and postretirement health care benefits;

For the nine months ended September 30, 2020, there were no changes in the methodology for computing critical accounting estimates, no additional accounting estimates met the standards for critical accounting policies, and there were no material changes to the important assumptions underlying the critical accounting estimates.

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CAL WATER'S 2018 GRC

On October 14, 2020, an ALJ with the CPUC issued a proposed decision for Cal Water's 2018 GRC filing. The proposed decision is subject to adoption by the CPUC no earlier than the CPUC’s November 19, 2020 meeting. Both Cal Water and the CPUC's Public Advocates Office have an opportunity to provide their feedback on the proposed decision. If adopted as proposed, the decision would approve the settlement reached in October of 2019 by Cal Water and the CPUC’s Public Advocates Office, allow Cal Water to continue its decoupling balancing accounts through 2022, and allow Cal Water to retain its PCBA and HCBA.

We determined that the proposed decision provides additional evidence about conditions that existed as of September 30, 2020. As of November 6, 2020, we also believe that it is probable that the proposed decision will be adopted by the CPUC without any material variation and accordingly, we recorded regulatory assets and associated revenues resulting from the regulatory mechanisms approved in the proposed decision as of September 30, 2020. In the unlikely event that the CPUC does not approve the proposed decision as issued, we will need to adjust regulatory asset balances and revenues in the fourth quarter of 2020. Any such adjustment could result in a material decrease to our operating revenue and net operating income for full-year 2020.

COVID-19

At the end of 2019, a COVID-19 outbreak was reported to have surfaced in Wuhan, China, and has since spread to a large number of other countries, including the United States. In March of 2020, the World Health Organization characterized the outbreak as a pandemic. During the month of March, all of the states in which we operate enacted shelter-in-place and social distancing ordinances that resulted in temporary closures of non-essential businesses and self-quarantining of non-essential workers. Although such measures have been partially rescinded in certain areas, public health restrictions remain in place in all of the states in which we operate. As an “essential business” during times of emergencies pursuant to the U.S. Critical Infrastructures Protection Act of 2001, we are working to continue to provide high quality water and wastewater services to our two million customers. For the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and through November 6, 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic has not had a significant impact on our business or operations. We have, however, increased our allowance for credit losses as we have ceased all shutoffs for non-payment during the pandemic and anticipate this situation will continue until April 1, 2021. We are expecting segments of our customer base to continue to experience employment layoffs and business closures that negatively impact their ability to pay utility bills. We have also incurred costs to promote the health and safety of our employees and facilities.

If we need to close any of our facilities due to outbreaks of COVID-19 or if a critical number of our employees become too ill to work, our business operations could be materially adversely affected in a rapid manner. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic is fluid and continues to evolve, and therefore, we cannot predict the extent to which our business, results of operations, financial condition or liquidity will ultimately be impacted.

RESULTS OF THIRD QUARTER 2020 OPERATIONS

COMPARED TO THIRD QUARTER 2019 OPERATIONS

Dollar amounts in thousands unless otherwise stated

Overview

Net Income

Net income for the three months ended September 30, 2020 was $96.4 million or $1.94 earnings per diluted common share, compared to net income of $42.4 million or $0.88 earnings per diluted common share for the three months ended September 30, 2019.

The $54.0 million increase in net income was primarily due to our determination that the October 14, 2020 proposed decision in the 2018 GRC was sufficient evidence to record regulatory assets and associated revenues for interim rate recovery as well as benefits balancing accounts and the decoupling mechanisms. In the third quarter of 2020, we recorded revenues of $37.6 million related to interim rate recovery regulatory assets, balancing account net revenue increases of $37.0 million, and customer refunds for 2017 excess deferred federal income taxes (TCJA) of $7.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2020. Included in the amounts above, there were $18.9 million of interim rate recovery, $11.5 million of balancing account net revenue increases, and $3.0 million of customer refunds for TCJA for the three months ended September 30, 2020. These increases were partially offset by increases in depreciation and amortization of $2.4 million, employee wages costs of $2.2 million, income taxes of $1.6 million, bad debt expenses of $0.9 million, and outside service costs of $0.7 million.

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Additionally, certain factors outside the Company's immediate control decreased net income, including a $2.6 million reduction in accrued unbilled revenue, which was partially offset by a $1.2 million increase in unrealized gain on certain benefit plan investments.

Operating Revenue

Operating revenue increased $71.6 million, or 30.8%, to $304.1 million in the third quarter of 2020 as compared to the third quarter of 2019, with such change attributed to the following:


Net change due to rate changes, usage, and other (1)	$	1,724
WRAM Revenue (2)	(3,215)
MCBA Revenue (3)	24,484
IRMA Revenue (4)	37,623
Other balancing account revenue (5)	4,459
Deferral of revenue (6)	6,496
Net operating revenue increase	$	71,571

1.The net change due to rate changes, usage, and other in the above table was mainly driven by a $3.3 million increase in volumetric revenue due to a 6.0% increase in customer usage and rate increases, the components of which are set forth in the table below, partially offset by a $2.6 million decrease in accrued unbilled revenue.


General rate case	185
Purchased water and pump tax offsets	1,208
Rate base offsets	883
Total increase in rates	$	2,276

2.WRAM revenue is the variance between adopted volumetric revenues and actual billed volumetric revenues for metered accounts. In October of 2020, Cal Water received a proposed decision that authorizes the continuation of WRAM effective January 1, 2020; as a result, in the third quarter of 2020, we recorded an increase to revenue for the WRAM for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 of $8.4 million and $17.0 million, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2020, actual billed volumetric revenue was lower than adopted volumetric revenue. In the third quarter of 2019, we recognized $20.2 million of WRAM revenue as actual billed volumetric revenue was lower than adopted volumetric revenue.

3.MCBA revenue is the variance between adopted water production costs and actual water production costs. In October of 2020, Cal Water received a proposed decision that authorizes the continuation of MCBA effective January 1, 2020; as a result, in the third quarter of 2020, we recorded an increase to revenue for the MCBA for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 of $1.1 million and $11.8 million, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2020, actual water production costs were higher than adopted water production costs. In the third quarter of 2019, we recognized a $12.7 million decrease to revenue as actual water production costs were lower than adopted water production costs. As required by the MCBA mechanism, the difference in actual water production costs and adopted water production costs in California is recorded to operating revenue.

4.Due to the delay in the resolution of the 2018 GRC, the CPUC authorized Cal Water to track the effect of the delay on customer billings in an IRMA effective January 1, 2020. Variances between actual customer billings and those that would have been billed assuming the GRC had been effective January 1, 2020 are recorded as regulatory balancing account revenue. In October of 2020, Cal Water received a proposed decision on its 2018 GRC and was able to determine if the 2018 GRC had been resolved effective January 1, 2020, we would have billed customers an additional $18.9 million and $37.6 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020.

5.The other balancing account revenue consists of the pension, conservation and health care balancing account revenues. Pension and conservation balancing account revenues are the differences between actual expenses and adopted rate recovery. Health care balancing account revenue is 85% of the difference between actual health care expenses and adopted rate recovery. In October of 2020, Cal Water received a proposed decision that authorizes the continuation of PCBA and HCBA effective January 1, 2020. We recorded an increase to revenue of $3.8 million and $11.4 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, respectively, for the PCBA and a decrease to revenue of $1.8 million and $3.1 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, respectively, for the HCBA in the third quarter of 2020. For the first nine months of 2020, actual pension costs were higher than adopted pension costs,

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while actual health care costs were lower than adopted health care costs. In the third quarter of 2019, actual pension costs were above the adopted pension costs, while actual health care costs were below the adopted health care costs. A net increase to revenue of $1.5 million was recognized for the differences. In addition, there was a decrease in actual conservation expenses relative to adopted costs in the third quarter of 2020 as compared to the third quarter 2019 of $2.3 million.

6.The deferral of revenue consists of amounts that are expected to be collected from customers beyond 24 months following the end of the accounting period in which these revenues were recorded. The deferral decreased in the third quarter of 2020 as compared to the third quarter of 2019 due to a decrease in the balancing account revenue expected to be collected beyond 24 months.

Total Operating Expenses

Total operating expenses increased $17.0 million, or 9.4%, to $198.0 million in the third quarter of 2020, as compared to $181.0 million in the third quarter of 2019.

Water production costs consists of purchased water, purchased power, and pump taxes. It represents the largest component of total operating expenses, accounting for approximately 43.1% of total operating expenses in the third quarter of 2020, as compared to 44.5% of total operating expenses in the third quarter of 2019. Water production costs increased 5.8% in the third quarter of 2020 as compared to the same period last year mainly due to increased rates from our purchased water wholesalers, changes in water production mix in certain of our service territories, and an increase in customer usage.

Sources of water as a percent of total water production are listed in the following table:


	Three Months Ended September 30
	2020		2019
Well production	47	%	44	%
Purchased	48	%	51	%
Surface	5	%	5	%
Total	100	%	100	%

The components of water production costs are shown in the table below:


	Three Months Ended September 30
	2020		2019		Change
Purchased water	$	70,398	$	66,483	$	3,915
Purchased power	11,983		10,633		1,350
Pump taxes	2,963		3,452		(489)
Total	$	85,344	$	80,568	$	4,776

Administrative and general and other operations expenses increased $7.7 million to $59.0 million in the third quarter of 2020, primarily due to a $5.4 million increase of costs associated with deferred WRAM revenue, a $2.2 million increase in employee wages, a $1.3 million increase in employee pension retirement benefit costs, a $0.9 million increase in bad debt expense, $0.7 million increase in outside service costs which were partially offset by decreases of $2.0 million in water conservation program costs. Changes in employee pension benefits and water conservation program costs for regulated California operations generally do not affect earnings, as the Company is allowed by the CPUC to record these costs in balancing accounts for future recovery, creating a corresponding change to revenue. Employee and retiree medical expenses are recovered up to 85% of the variance between adopted and recorded expenses. At September 30, 2020, there were 1,224 employees and at September 30, 2019, there were 1,194 employees.

Maintenance expense did not change in the third quarter of 2020 as compared to the third quarter of 2019.

Depreciation and amortization expense increased $2.4 million, or 10.9%, to $24.7 million in the third quarter of 2020, as compared to $22.3 million in the third quarter of 2019, due mostly to capital additions in 2019.

Income taxes increased $1.6 million, or 13.2%, to $13.8 million in the third quarter of 2020, as compared to $12.2 million in the third quarter of 2019. The increase was due to an increase in operating income in the third quarter of 2020, partially offset by amortization of the excess deferred taxes as a result of the TCJA in the proposed decision of the 2018 GRC.

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Property and other taxes increased $0.6 million to $8.1 million in the third quarter of 2020, as compared to $7.5 million in the third quarter of 2019, mostly due to an increase in assessed property values.

Other Income and Expenses

Net other income increased $0.7 million in the third quarter of 2020, mostly due to a $1.2 million increase in unrealized gain on certain benefit plan investments and $0.8 million decrease in other components of net periodic benefit costs which was partially offset by a $0.9 million decrease in allowance for equity funds used during construction.

Interest Expense

Net interest expense increased $1.2 million, or 13.4%, to $10.5 million in the third quarter of 2020, as compared to $9.3 million in the third quarter of 2019. The increase was due primarily to increased average short term borrowing and decreased interest capitalized in the third quarter of 2020 as compared to the third quarter of 2019.

RESULTS OF THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 OPERATIONS

COMPARED TO THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2019 OPERATIONS

Dollar amounts in thousands unless otherwise stated

Overview

Net Income

Net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 was $81.3 million or $1.66 income per diluted common share, compared to net income of $51.8 million or $1.08 earnings per diluted common share for the nine months ended September 30, 2019.

The $29.5 million increase in net income was due to our determination that the October 14, 2020 proposed decision in the 2018 GRC was sufficient evidence to record regulatory assets and associated revenues for interim rate recovery. In the third quarter of 2020, we recorded revenues of $37.6 million related to interim rate recovery regulatory assets and customer refunds for TCJA of $7.1 million. These increases were partially offset by increases in depreciation and amortization of $6.8 million, employee wages costs of $1.8 million, maintenance expense of $1.7 million, bad debt expenses of $1.6 million, and outside service costs of $1.1 million.

Additionally, certain factors outside the Company's immediate control decreased net income, including a $2.8 million decrease in unrealized gain on certain benefit plan investments, which was partially offset by a $2.2 million increase in accrued unbilled revenue.

Operating Revenue

Operating revenue increased $67.5 million, or 12.5%, to $605.2 million in the first nine months of 2020 as compared to the first nine months of 2019, with such change attributed to the following:


Net change due to rate changes, usage, and other (1)	$	31,154
WRAM Revenue (2)	(52,362)
MCBA Revenue (3)	47,146
IRMA Revenue (4)	37,623
Other balancing account revenue (5)	1,077
Deferral of revenue (6)	2,838
Net operating revenue increase	$	67,476

1.The net change due to rate changes, usage, and other in the above table was mainly driven by a $26.5 million increase in volumetric revenue due to a 6.0% increase in customer usage and rate increases, the components of which are set forth in the table below. In addition, there was a $2.2 million increase in accrued unbilled revenue.

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General rate case	$	470
Escalation rate increases	518
Purchased water and pump tax offsets	3,847
Rate base offsets	2,023
Total increase in rates	$	6,858

2.WRAM revenue is the variance between adopted volumetric revenues and actual billed volumetric revenues for metered accounts. For the first nine months of 2020, we recognized $17.0 million of WRAM revenue as compared to $69.4 million for the first nine months of 2019. The WRAM revenue decrease in the first nine months of 2020 as compared to the first nine months of 2019 resulted from an increase in actual billed volumetric revenue relative to adopted volumetric revenues. Actual consumption was closer to adopted consumption in the first nine months of 2020 as compared to the first nine months of 2019.

3.MCBA revenue is the variance between adopted water production costs and actual water production costs. For the first nine months of 2020, we recognized $11.8 million of MCBA revenue as compared to a decrease to revenue of $35.4 million for the first nine months of 2019. The MCBA revenue increase in the first nine months of 2020 as compared to the first nine months of 2019 resulted from an increase in actual water production costs relative to adopted water production costs. The actual water production costs increased relative to adopted water production costs in the first nine months of 2020 as compared to the first nine months of 2019 due to a shift in water production mix from well water to purchased water in certain of our service territories. As required by the MCBA mechanism, the increase in actual water production costs relative to adopted water production costs in California also increased operating revenue for the same amount.

4.Due to the delay in the resolution of the 2018 GRC, the CPUC authorized Cal Water to track the effect of the delay on customer billings in an IRMA effective January 1, 2020. Variances between actual customer billings and those that would have been billed assuming the GRC had been effective January 1, 2020 are recorded as regulatory balancing account revenue. In October of 2020, Cal Water received a proposed decision on its 2018 GRC and was able to determine if the 2018 GRC had been resolved effective January 1, 2020, we would have billed customers an additional $37.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2020.

5.The other balancing account revenue consists of the pension, conservation and health care balancing account revenues. Pension and conservation balancing account revenues are the differences between actual expenses and adopted rate recovery. Health care balancing account revenue is 85% of the difference between actual health care expenses and adopted rate recovery. For the first nine months of 2020, we recognized net revenue of $5.2 million for these balancing accounts as compared to a net $4.1 million of revenue for the first nine months of 2019. The increase in revenue was mainly due to an increase in actual pension expenses relative to adopted in the first nine months of 2020 as compared to the first nine months of 2019, which was partially offset by an decrease in actual conservation and health care expenses relative to adopted in the first nine months of 2020 as compared to the first nine months of 2019.

6.The deferral of revenue consists of amounts that are expected to be collected from customers beyond 24 months following the end of the accounting period in which these revenues were recorded. The deferral decreased in the first nine months of 2020 as compared to the first nine months of 2019 due to a decrease in the balancing account revenue expected to be collected beyond 24 months.

Total Operating Expenses

Total operating expenses increased $34.9 million, or 7.6%, to $493.5 million in the first nine months of 2020, as compared to $458.6 million in the first nine months of 2019.

Water production costs consists of purchased water, purchased power, and pump taxes. It represents the largest component of total operating expenses, accounting for approximately 42.6% of total operating expenses in the first nine months of 2020, as compared to 41.6% of total operating expenses in the first nine months of 2019. Water production costs increased 10.3% in the first nine months of 2020 as compared to the same period last year mainly due to an increase in customer usage, changes in water production mix in certain of our service territories, and an increase in rates from our purchased water wholesalers.

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Sources of water as a percent of total water production are listed in the following table:


	Nine Months Ended September 30
	2020		2019
Well production	45	%	45	%
Purchased	50	%	50	%
Surface	5	%	5	%
Total	100	%	100	%

The components of water production costs are shown in the table below:


	Nine Months Ended September 30
	2020		2019		Change
Purchased water	$	175,485	$	158,369	$	17,116
Purchased power	25,887		23,734		2,153
Pump taxes	9,090		8,692		398
Total	$	210,462	$	190,795	$	19,667

Administrative and general and other operations expenses increased $9.2 million, or 6.3%, to $155.4 million in the first nine months of 2020, as compared to $146.2 million in the first nine months of 2019. The increase was primarily due to a $5.7 million increase in employee pension retirement benefit costs, $2.4 million increase in costs associated with deferred WRAM revenue, $1.8 million increase in employee wage cost, $1.6 million increase in bad debt expense, $1.1 million in outside service cost, $0.6 million increase in software maintenance cost, $0.5 million increase in uninsured loss costs, $0.5 million increase in generator rent costs, which were partially offset by a $3.6 million decrease in water conservation program costs, $1.2 million decrease in employee healthcare costs, and $0.7 million decrease in travel costs. Changes in employee pension benefits and water conservation program costs for regulated California operations generally do not affect earnings, as the Company is allowed by the CPUC to record these costs in balancing accounts for future recovery, creating a corresponding change to revenue. Employee and retiree medical expenses are recovered up to 85% of the variance between adopted and recorded expenses.

Maintenance expense increased $1.7 million, or 8.9%, to $20.9 million in the first nine months of 2020, as compared to $19.2 million in the first nine months of 2019, mostly due to repairs for services, mains, reservoirs, and tanks.

Depreciation and amortization expense increased $6.7 million, or 10.1%, to $73.7 million in the first nine months of 2020, as compared to $67.0 million in the first nine months of 2019, mostly due to capital additions in 2019.

Income taxes decreased $3.0 million, or 22.4%, to an income tax expense of $10.5 million in the first nine months of 2020, as compared to income tax expense of $13.5 million in the first nine months of 2019. The decrease was mostly due to tax repair benefit and amortization of the excess deferred taxes as a result of the TCJA in the proposed decision of the 2018 GRC.

Property and other taxes increased $0.6 million to $22.5 million in the nine months of 2020, as compared to $21.9 million in the same period of 2019, mostly due to an increase in assessed property values.

Other Income and Expenses

Net other income decreased $3.0 million to $0.5 million in the first nine months of 2020, as compared to a net other income of $3.5 million in the first nine months of 2019, due primarily to a $2.8 million decrease from the unrealized gain from certain benefit plan investments due to market conditions and $0.8 million decrease in allowance for equity funds used during construction which was partially offset by a $0.5 million decrease in other components of net periodic benefit costs.

Interest Expense

Net interest expense increased $0.1 million, or 0.3%, to $30.8 million in the first nine months of 2020, as compared to $30.7 million in the first nine months of 2019. The increase was due to an increase in average short term borrowing which was offset by decreases in interest rates in the first nine months of 2020 as compared to the same period last year.

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REGULATORY MATTERS

2020 California Regulatory Activity

2018 GRC Filing

On October 14, 2020, an ALJ with the CPUC issued a proposed decision for Cal Water's 2018 GRC filing. The proposed decision is subject to adoption by the CPUC no earlier than the CPUC’s November 19, 2020 meeting. If adopted as proposed, the decision would approve the settlement reached in October of 2019 by Cal Water and the CPUC’s Public Advocates Office, allow Cal Water to continue its decoupling balancing accounts through 2022, and allow Cal Water to retain its PCBA and HCBA. Under this proposed decision, Cal Water would be authorized to invest $828.0 million in its districts throughout California through 2021. This includes $148 million of water system infrastructure upgrades that would be recovered via the CPUC’s advice letter procedure once those projects are completed. The proposed decision also authorizes total revenue of up to $698.7 million for 2020.

2020 Cost of Capital Application

On March 11, 2020, the CPUC granted Cal Water and three other large water companies an extension to May 1, 2021 to file their cost of capital application.

Expense Offset Requests

Expense offsets are dollar-for-dollar increases in revenue to match increased expenses, and therefore do not affect net operating income. In December of 2019, Cal Water submitted advice letters to request offsets for increases in purchased water costs in six of its regulated districts totaling $2.5 million. The new rates became effective on February 1, 2020.

Rate Base Offset Requests

For construction projects authorized in GRCs as advice letter projects, Cal Water is allowed to request rate base offsets to increase revenues after the project goes into service. In the fourth quarter of 2019, Cal Water submitted advice letters to recover $2.5 million of annual revenue increases for rate base offsets in all of its regulated districts. The new rates became effective on February 1, 2020.

WRAM/MCBA Filings

In March and April of 2020, Cal Water submitted advice letters to true up the revenue under-collections for the 2019 annual WRAMs/MCBAs of its regulated districts. A net under-collection of $27.1 million is being recovered from customers in the form of 12 and 18 month surcharges. Due to the COVID 19 pandemic, Cal Water elected to adjust the 2019 WRAM filing so that the new rates would only be implemented in districts where overall customer bills would not be increased. As a result, approximately $18.8 million of the $45.9 million of net WRAM/MCBA additions from 2019 were deferred to 2021. The new rates incorporate net WRAM/MCBA balances that were previously approved for recovery, and became effective in April of 2020.

Polyfluoroalkyl Substances Memorandum Account (PFAS MA)

Public water systems have been ordered by the State Water Resources Control Board to detect, monitor, and report perfluorooctanoic and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid in drinking water. Cal Water has begun sampling its wells for these contaminants, and anticipates incurring substantial costs in order to comply. In the first quarter of 2020, Cal Water submitted an advice letter to establish a PFAS MA that would give Cal Water the opportunity to track and recover incremental costs related to compliance with the order. In the third quarter of 2020, the CPUC approved by resolution a modified the PFAS MA effective March 4, 2020. The approved PFAS MA allows for cost recovery of certain incremental PFAS-related expense, but not capital costs, due to the current lack of a maximum contaminant level.

Low-Income Water Affordability Proceeding

On August 27, 2020, by a 4-1 vote, the CPUC approved a decision which applies to Cal Water, and other Class A water companies (Joint Parties). The decision precludes the Joint Parties from proposing full decoupling Water Revenue Adjustment Mechanisms in their next GRC filing. Cal Water expects it will be required to comply with the order in its 2021 GRC filing, with rates effective in 2023. Beginning in 2023, Cal Water expects it will experience more revenue volatility and that necessary changes to rate design to mitigate this volatility may dampen conservation price signals, potentially reducing customers’ incentives to pursue water efficiency measures. Cal Water will pursue legal and procedural appeal options to overturn this decision, which Cal Water believes will damage the state’s policy goals for water use efficiency based on an incomplete and insufficient analysis.

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2019 California Financing Authorization

On November 5, 2020, the CPUC approved Cal Water’s request for an additional $700 million of authorization for debt and equity financing to fund its capital improvement program through 2025.

Regulatory Activity - Other States

Rainier View Water Company (Washington Water)

On March 27, 2020, the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (WUTC) approved Washington Water's application for the sale and transfer of assets of Rainier View Water Company. Washington Water took control of the water system on June 1, 2020.

Kalaeloa Water Company (Hawaii Water)

On September 25, 2020, the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission (HPUC) approved Hawaii Water's application for the purchase of the Membership Interests of Kalaeloa Water Company, LLC. The transaction remains subject to customary closing conditions.

Kapalua Water Company and Kapalua Waste Treatment (Hawaii Water)

On June 4, 2020, Hawaii Water filed an application with the HPUC for approval to acquire the assets of Kapalua Water Company, LTD. and Kapalua Waste Treatment Company, LTD in connection with the December 2019 asset purchase agreement with Maui Land and Pineapple Company.

Animas Valley Land and Water Co., LLC (New Mexico Water)

New Mexico Water signed a purchase agreement with Animas Valley Land and Water Co., LLC (AV Water) and court-appointed receiver C. Randel Lewis to acquire the Morning Star Water System assets of AV Water and provide regulated water utility service to its approximately 2,000 customer connections in northwest New Mexico. The purchase is subject to customary closing conditions, including approvals of the San Juan County Court and the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission, as well as successful completion of AV Water’s pending rate case. If approved, the transaction is expected to close in early 2021.

LIQUIDITY

Cash flow from Operations

Cash flow from operations for the first nine months of 2020 was $96.7 million compared to $128.3 million for the same period in 2019. Cash generated by operations varies during the year due to customer billings, and timing of collections and contributions to our benefit plans.

During the first nine months of 2020, we made contributions of $25.8 million to our employee pension plan compared to contributions of $12.5 million during the first nine months of 2019. During the first nine months of 2020, we made contributions of $5.7 million to the other postretirement benefit plans compared to contributions of $5.6 million during the first nine months of 2019. The full-year 2020 estimated cash contribution to the pension plans and other postretirement benefits plans are expected to be approximately $38.0 million and $7.5 million, respectively.

The water business is seasonal. Billed revenue is lower in the cool, wet winter months when less water is used compared to the warm, dry summer months when water use is highest. This seasonality results in the possible need for short-term borrowings under the unsecured revolving credit facilities in the event cash is not available to cover operating and utility plant costs during the winter period. Due to the uncertainty of the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic, during the first quarter of 2020, we borrowed on our unsecured revolving credit facilities to provide substantial additional liquidity to manage our business (as described below under Financing Activities). The increase in cash flows during the summer allows short-term borrowings to be paid down. Customer water usage can be lower than normal in drought years and when greater-than-normal precipitation falls in our service areas or temperatures are lower than normal, especially in the summer months.

Investing Activities

During the first nine months of 2020 and 2019, we used $221.3 million and $194.9 million, respectively, of cash for Company-funded and developer-funded utility plant expenditures. Annual expenditures fluctuate each year due to the availability of construction resources and our ability to obtain construction permits in a timely manner. For 2020, we estimate utility plant expenditures to be between $260.0 million and $290.0 million. We also paid $37.6 million for the acquisition of Rainier View Water Company during the second quarter of 2020.

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Financing Activities

Net cash provided by financing activities was $237.1 million during the first nine months of 2020 compared to $72.9 million of net cash provided by financing activities for the same period in 2019. For 2020, this includes $270.0 million of short-term borrowings on our unsecured revolving credit facilities, issuance of $57.3 million of Company common stock through our at-the-market equity program, and $1.3 million through our employee stock purchase plan.

During the first nine months of 2020 and 2019, we borrowed $270.0 million and $210.0 million, respectively, on our unsecured revolving credit facilities. The borrowings on our unsecured revolving credit facilities in 2020 were to provide substantial additional liquidity to manage our business in connection with economic uncertainty and financial market volatility caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. We made a repayment on our unsecured revolving credit facilities of $70.0 million and $120.0 million during the first nine months of 2020 and 2019, respectively.

The undercollected net WRAM and MCBA receivable balances were $72.7 million and $62.6 million as of September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively. The undercollected balances were primarily financed by Cal Water using short-term and long-term financing arrangements to meet operational cash requirements. Interest on the undercollected balances, which represents the interest recoverable from customers, is limited to the then-current 90-day commercial paper rates which typically are significantly lower than Cal Water’s short and long-term financing rates.

Short-Term and Long-Term Financing

During the first nine months of 2020, we utilized cash generated from operations, borrowings on the unsecured revolving credit facilities, and cash received from the sale of Company common stock through our at-the-market equity program to fund operations and capital investments.

Bond principal and other long-term debt payments were $1.5 million and $401.6 million during the first nine months of 2020 and 2019, respectively.

In future periods, management anticipates funding our utility plant needs through a relatively balanced approach between debt and equity.

Short-term liquidity is provided by our unsecured revolving credit facilities and internally generated funds. Long-term financing is accomplished through the use of both debt and equity. However, the recent COVID-19 pandemic, which has caused disruption in the capital markets, could make financing more difficult and/or expensive. To mitigate this risk, we borrowed $100.0 million on our unsecured revolving credit facilities to provide substantial additional liquidity. The Company and subsidiaries that it designates may borrow up to $150.0 million under the Company’s revolving credit facility. Cal Water may borrow up to $400.0 million under its revolving credit facility; however, all borrowings must be repaid within 24 months unless a different period is required or authorized by the CPUC. The proceeds from the unsecured revolving credit facilities may be used for working capital purposes, including the short-term financing of utility plant projects.

As of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, there were short-term borrowings of $375.1 million and $175.1 million, respectively, outstanding on the unsecured revolving credit facilities.

Given our ability to access our lines of credit on a daily basis, cash balances are managed to levels required for daily cash needs and excess cash is invested in short-term or cash equivalent instruments. Minimal operating levels of cash are maintained for Washington Water, New Mexico Water, and Hawaii Water.

Both short-term credit agreements contain affirmative and negative covenants and events of default customary for credit facilities of this type including, among other things, limitations and prohibitions relating to additional indebtedness, liens, mergers, and asset sales. Also, these unsecured credit agreements contain financial covenants governing the Company and its subsidiaries’ consolidated total capitalization ratio not to exceed 66.7% and an interest coverage ratio of three or more. As of September 30, 2020, we are in compliance with all of the covenant requirements and are eligible to use the full amount of the undrawn portion of our unsecured revolving credit facilities.

Long-term financing, which includes First Mortgage Bonds, other debt securities, and common stock, has typically been used to replace short-term borrowings and fund utility plant expenditures. Internally generated funds, after making dividend payments, provide positive cash flow, but have not been at a level to meet the needs of our utility plant expenditure requirements. Management expects this trend to continue given our planned utility plant expenditures for the next five years. Some utility plant expenditures are funded by payments received from developers for contributions in aid of construction or advances for construction. Funds received for contributions in aid of construction are non-refundable, whereas funds classified as advances in construction are generally refundable over 40 years. Management believes long-term financing is available to meet our cash flow needs through issuances in both debt and equity instruments.

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Dividends

During the first nine months of 2020, our quarterly common stock dividend payments were $0.6375 per share compared to $0.5925 per share during the first nine months of 2019. For the full year 2019, the payout ratio was 60.3% of net income. On a long-term basis, our goal is to achieve a dividend payout ratio of 60% of net income accomplished through future earnings growth.

At the October 28, 2020 meeting, the Company's Board of Directors declared the fourth quarter dividend of $0.2125 per share payable on November 20, 2020, to stockholders of record on November 9, 2020. This was our 303rd consecutive quarterly dividend.

2020 Financing Plan

We intend to fund our utility plant needs in future periods through a relatively balanced approach between long-term debt and equity. The Company and Cal Water have a syndicated unsecured revolving line of credit of $150.0 million and $400.0 million, respectively, for short-term borrowings. As of September 30, 2020, the Company’s and Cal Water’s availability on these unsecured revolving lines of credit was $44.9 million and $130.0 million, respectively. As the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the economy and our operations evolves, we will continue to assess our financing needs.

Book Value and Stockholders of Record

Book value per common share was $17.86 at September 30, 2020 compared to $16.07 at December 31, 2019. There were approximately 1,955 stockholders of record for our common stock as of August 10, 2020.

Utility Plant Expenditures

During the first nine months of 2020, utility plant expenditures totaled $221.3 million for Company-funded and developer-funded projects. For 2020, we estimate utility plant expenditures to be between $260.0 million and $290.0 million. We do not control third-party-funded utility plant expenditures and therefore are unable to estimate the amount of such projects for 2020.

As of September 30, 2020, construction work in progress was $211.7 million. Construction work in progress includes projects that are under construction but not yet complete and placed in service.

WATER SUPPLY

Our source of supply varies among our operating districts. Certain districts obtain all of their supply from wells; some districts purchase all of their supply from wholesale suppliers; and other districts obtain supply from a combination of wells and wholesale suppliers. A small portion of supply comes from surface sources and is processed through Company-owned water treatment plants. To the best of management's knowledge, we are meeting water quality, environmental, and other regulatory standards for all Company-owned systems.

Historically, approximately half of our annual water supply is pumped from wells. State groundwater management agencies operate differently in each state. Some of our wells extract ground water from water basins under state ordinances. These are adjudicated groundwater basins, in which a court has settled the dispute between landowners or other parties over how much annual groundwater can be extracted by each party. All of our adjudicated groundwater basins are located in the State of California. Our annual groundwater extraction from adjudicated groundwater basins approximates 6.4 billion gallons or 13.5% of our total annual water supply pumped from wells. Historically, we have extracted less than 100% of our annual adjudicated groundwater rights and have the right to carry forward up to 20% of the unused amount to the next annual period. All of our remaining wells extract ground water from managed or unmanaged water basins. There are no set limits for the ground water extracted from these water basins. Our annual groundwater extraction from managed groundwater basins approximates 28.1 billion gallons or 59.2% of our total annual water supply pumped from wells. Our annual groundwater extraction from unmanaged groundwater basins approximates 12.9 billion gallons or 27.3% of our total annual water supply pumped from wells. Most of the managed groundwater basins we extract water from have groundwater recharge facilities. We are required to pay well pump taxes to financially support these groundwater recharge facilities. Well pump taxes were $3.0 million and $3.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, well pump taxes were $9.1 million and $8.7 million, respectively. In 2014, the State of California enacted the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act of 2014. The law and its implementing regulations require most basins to select a sustainability agency by 2017, develop a sustainability plan by 2022, and show progress toward sustainability by 2027. We expect that after the act's provisions are fully implemented, substantially all the Company's California groundwater will be produced from sustainably managed and adjudicated basins.

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California's normal weather pattern yields little precipitation between mid-spring and mid-fall. The Washington Water service areas receive precipitation in all seasons, with the heaviest amounts during the winter. New Mexico Water's rainfall is heaviest in the summer monsoon season. Hawaii Water receives precipitation throughout the year, with the largest amounts in the winter months. Water usage in all service areas is highest during the warm and dry summers and declines in the cool winter months. Rain and snow during the winter months in California replenish underground water aquifers and fill reservoirs, providing the water supply for subsequent delivery to customers. As of June 9, 2020, the State of California snowpack water content during the 2020-2021 water year for the northern Sierra region is 7% of long-term averages (per the California Department of Water Resources, Daily Drought Information Summary). The northern Sierra region is the most important for the state’s urban water supplies. The central and southern portions of the Sierras also have recorded 0% and 4%, respectively, of long-term averages. Management believes that supply pumped from underground aquifers and purchased from wholesale suppliers will be adequate to meet customer demand during 2020 and beyond. Long-term water supply plans are developed for each of our districts to help assure an adequate water supply under various operating and supply conditions. Some districts have unique challenges in meeting water quality standards, but management believes that supplies will meet current standards using current treatment processes.

On May 31, 2018, California's Governor Brown signed two bills (Assembly Bill 1668 and Senate Bill 606) into law that will establish long-term standards for water use efficiency. The bills revise and expand the existing urban water management plan requirements to include five year drought risk assessments, water shortage contingency plans, and annual water supply/demand assessments. By June 30, 2022, the California State Water Resources Control Board, in conjunction with the California Department of Water Resources, will establish long-term water use standards for indoor residential use, outdoor residential use, water losses and other uses. Cal Water will also be required to calculate and report on urban water use target by November 1, 2023 and each November 1 thereafter that compares actual urban water use to the target. Management believes that Cal Water is well-positioned to comply with all known regulations applicable to Cal Water.

CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS

During the nine months ended September 30, 2020, there were no material changes in contractual obligations outside the normal course of business.

Item 3.

QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURE ABOUT MARKET RISK

We do not hold, trade in or issue derivative financial instruments and therefore are not exposed to risks these instruments present. Our market risk to interest rate exposure is limited because the cost of long-term financing and short-term bank borrowings, including interest costs, is covered in consumer water rates as approved by the Commissions. We do not have foreign operations; therefore, we do not have a foreign currency exchange risk. Our business is sensitive to commodity prices and is most affected by changes in purchased water and purchased power costs.

Historically, the CPUC’s balancing account or offsettable expense procedures allowed for increases in purchased water, pump tax, and purchased power costs to be flowed through to consumers. Traditionally, a significant percentage of our net income and cash flows come from California regulated operations; therefore the CPUC’s actions have a significant impact on our business. See Item 2, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Regulatory Matters.”

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Item 4.

CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

(a) Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

We maintain disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our reports filed or submitted under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission's rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow for timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

In designing and evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, recognized that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives, and management is required to apply its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures. Accordingly, our disclosure controls and procedures have been designed to provide reasonable assurance of achieving their objectives.

Our management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of September 30, 2020. Based on that evaluation, we concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective at the reasonable assurance level.

(b) Changes to Internal Control over Financial Reporting

There was no change in our internal controls over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter ended September 30, 2020, that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal controls over financial reporting.

PART II OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.

LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

From time to time, the Company is involved in various disputes and litigation matters that arise in the ordinary course of business. The status of each significant matter is reviewed and assessed for potential financial exposure. If the potential loss from any claim or legal proceeding is considered probable and the amount of the range of loss can be reasonably estimated, a liability is accrued for the estimated loss in accordance with the accounting standards for contingencies. Legal proceedings are subject to uncertainties, and the outcomes are difficult to predict. Because of such uncertainties, accruals are based on the best information available at the time. While the outcome of these disputes and litigation matters cannot be predicted with any certainty, management does not believe when taking into account existing reserves the ultimate resolution of these matters will materially affect the Company’s financial position, results of operations, or cash flows. In the future, we may be involved in disputes and litigation related to a wide range of matters, including employment, construction, environmental issues and operations. Litigation can be time-consuming and expensive and could divert management’s time and attention from our business. In addition, if we are subject to additional lawsuits or disputes, we might incur significant legal costs and it is uncertain whether we would be able to recover the legal costs from customers or other third parties. For more information refer to note 10.

Item 1A.

RISK FACTORS

There have been no material changes to the Company’s risk factors set forth in Part I, Item 1A of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year-ended December 31, 2019 filed with the SEC on February 27, 2020, except for the additional risk factor set forth in Part II, Item 1A of the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter-ended March 31, 2020 filed with the SEC and for the additional risk factor set forth below.

The Adopted Decision for Cal Water's 2018 GRC May be Materially Different than What was Issued on October 14, 2020

We are unable to guarantee that the proposed decision for Cal Water's 2018 GRC that was issued on October 14, 2020, will be adopted as issued without material variation. Both Cal Water and the CPUC's Public Advocates Office have an opportunity to provide their feedback on the proposed decision. As of November 6, 2020, the proposed decision is subject to adoption by the CPUC no earlier than the CPUC’s meeting on November 19, 2020. Although historically proposed decisions affecting Cal

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Water have not materially varied between the proposed decision and the adopted decision, there can be no guarantee that there will not be changes made to the proposed decision. The Company believes that is it probable that the proposed decision will be adopted as issued without any material variation. As of September 30, 2020, the Company has applied accounting standards for recognized subsequent events and recorded regulatory assets and associated revenues for the regulatory mechanisms approved in the proposed decision. In the unlikely event that the CPUC does not approve the proposed decision as issued, the Company will need to adjust regulatory asset balances and revenues in the fourth quarter of 2020. Any such adjustment could result in a material decrease to our operating revenue and net operating income for full-year 2020.

Item 6.

EXHIBITS


Exhibit						Description
3.3						Amended and Restated Bylaws of California Water Service Group, as amended on September 30, 2020 (Exhibit 3.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed October 5, 2020)

4.0						The Company agrees to furnish upon request to the Securities and Exchange Commission a copy of each instrument defining the rights of holders of long-term debt of the Company

31.1						Chief Executive Officer certification of financial statements pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

31.2						Chief Financial Officer certification of financial statements pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes- Oxley Act of 2002

32						Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

101						The following materials from this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q formatted in iXBRL (Inline eXtensible Business Reporting Language): (i) Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, (ii) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income, (iii) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, and (iv) the Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

104						The cover page from this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q formatted in iXBRL (included as exhibit 101)

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirement of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.


	CALIFORNIA WATER SERVICE GROUP
	Registrant

November 6, 2020	By:	/s/ Thomas F. Smegal III
		Thomas F. Smegal III
		Vice President,
		Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer