California Water Boosts Wastewater Operations Through Silverwood Deal

Core Viewpoint - California Water Service Group's subsidiary, California Water Service, has entered into an agreement to own and operate the wastewater and recycled water systems of the Silverwood community in San Bernardino County, CA, aligning with its strategy to diversify water sources and enhance sustainability [1][2]. Agreement Details - Cal Water will serve approximately 500 wastewater connections currently supplied by the City of Hesperia after the completion of Silverwood's wastewater treatment plant, which is expected to have over 15,000 customer connections upon full development [3]. - The ownership transfer will occur in phases as systems are completed, contingent upon satisfying closing conditions, and will be reorganized as a Cal Water district under the California Public Utilities Commission's supervision [4]. Service Reliability and Expansion - California Water is focused on expanding operations in the western United States through acquisitions, exploring new opportunities in both regulated and non-regulated water and wastewater activities [5]. - The company plans to invest $660 million in capital expenditures in 2025 and a total of $2.06 billion from 2025 to 2027 to upgrade infrastructure and improve service quality [7]. Industry Significance - The U.S. has nearly 50,000 community water systems and 14,000 wastewater treatment systems, which are vital for public health and environmental sustainability [8]. - There is a growing trend of U.S. water utility companies acquiring wastewater systems to address funding and management challenges faced by municipalities, bringing in necessary capital and expertise for upgrades [9]. Competitor Activities - Other companies, such as American Water Works, Middlesex Water Company, and Essential Utilities, are also pursuing wastewater acquisitions as part of their growth strategies, indicating a broader industry trend towards consolidation and expansion in wastewater services [11][12][13]. Stock Performance - Over the past three months, California Water's shares have increased by 0.5%, compared to a 4.3% growth in the industry [14].