Delivering high-quality, safe, and reliable water to customers is a top priority for investor-owned water companies (IOWCs) regulated by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC). In 2017, eight of California Water Association’s (CWA) largest IOWC members invested more than $645 million to improve and upgrade their water systems.
- California American Water (approximately 188,000 service connections throughout the state) invested nearly $88.1 million throughout its districts statewide in 2017. Projects included replacing and improving water mains and construction of new storage reservoirs and water treatment facilities to improve water quality and meet new regulations
- California Water Service (approximately 510,000 service connections throughout the state) invested $250.6 million in infrastructure in 2017. This investment included replacing more than 23.7 miles of water mains, installing 16 generators, and constructing three tanks, one groundwater well, and four booster pump stations.
- Golden State Water Company (approximately 261,000 service connections throughout the state) invested approximately $110 million for infrastructure projects in 2017. Key projects included more than $65 million to replace approximately 39 miles of aging pipes throughout its 38 water systems, more than $4.3 million to address water supply, treatment, and distribution needs in the drought-stricken Los Osos and Santa Maria service areas, and nearly $750,000 to install new water meters in the Arden and Cordova water systems near Sacramento.
- Great Oaks Water Company (approximately 21,500 service connections in Santa Clara County) invested approximately $1.5 million in 2017, adding scheduled improvements to its water supply sources and distribution system. Great Oaks also added significant improvements to its water system control and data acquisition capabilities that will produce immediate efficiency and conservation benefits.
- Liberty Utilities (approximately 52,000 service connections in San Bernardino and Los Angeles counties) invested more than $19.6 million in its Apple Valley and Los Angeles County service areas, including replacing more than four miles of water pipeline at a cost of $3.7 million in Apple Valley.
- San Gabriel Valley Water Company (approximately 104,000 service connections in Los Angeles and San Bernardino Counties) invested $19.9 million in its two divisions in 2017 for infrastructure improvements, including a new groundwater well and a water storage reservoir, as well as more than 12 miles of new water mains.
- San Jose Water (approximately 225,000 service connections in Santa Clara County) invested close to $140 million in its water systems in 2017. This amount included $20 million to retrofit its Montevina Water Treatment Plant, one of the primary water supply sources for the Town of Los Gatos and surrounding communities. As part of the project, a new step to the treatment process was added, the old sand filtration was replaced with ultra-filtration membranes, and other needed upgrades were completed.
- Suburban Water Systems (approximately 76,000 service connections in Los Angeles County) invested more than $16 million in 2017. This included the investment of approximately $5.7 million to prepare the site for three above-ground steel reservoirs, which included the construction of retaining walls, the tallest being 17-feet high.
“The challenges of delivering a dependable and safe water supply to California’s communities, especially those that are disadvantaged, is a hot topic under debate by legislators, regulators, and water providers,” said CWA Executive Director Jack Hawks. “One of the many benefits for customers being served by a regulated water utility is that regulatory processes are in place through the CPUC to ensure the right investments are made in water systems to make certain communities are protected.”
