Table of Contents


 
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
 
xQUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended September 30, 20182019
or
oTRANSITION 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, CA95112
(Address of principal executive offices)(Zip Code)
1720 North First Street
408-367-8200San Jose, California95112
(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 shareCWTNew 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. Yesý  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). Yesý  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 “largelarge accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer”, “smaller reporting company,” and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
Large accelerated Filer x
Accelerated filero
Non-accelerated filerSmaller reporting company
  
Non-accelerated filer o
Smaller reporting company o
Emerging growth companyo
 
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 o No x
 
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, 2018201948,068,00048,145,000
 

TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
 Page

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,
2018
 December 31,
2017
September 30,
2019
 December 31,
2018
ASSETS 
  
 
  
Utility plant: 
  
 
  
Utility plant$3,169,726
 $2,970,179
$3,411,219
 $3,229,446
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization(983,984) (922,214)(1,067,965) (996,723)
Net utility plant2,185,742
 2,047,965
2,343,254
 2,232,723
Current assets: 
  
 
  
Cash and cash equivalents66,421
 94,776
51,257
 47,176
Receivables: 
  
 
  
Customers50,785
 32,451
45,624
 30,037
Regulatory balancing accounts37,973
 36,783
33,437
 42,394
Other20,903
 16,464
16,977
 17,101
Unbilled revenue40,318
 29,756
42,562
 33,427
Materials and supplies at weighted average cost6,563
 6,463
7,804
 6,586
Taxes, prepaid expenses, and other assets12,576
 11,180
14,395
 11,981
Total current assets235,539
 227,873
212,056
 188,702
Other assets: 
  
 
  
Regulatory assets388,300
 401,147
382,484
 353,569
Goodwill2,615
 2,615
2,615
 2,615
Other assets64,666
 60,775
82,845
 60,095
Total other assets455,581
 464,537
467,944
 416,279
TOTAL ASSETS$2,876,862
 $2,740,375
$3,023,254
 $2,837,704
CAPITALIZATION AND LIABILITIES 
  
 
  
Capitalization: 
  
 
  
Common stock, $0.01 par value; 68,000 shares authorized, 48,068 and 48,012 outstanding in 2018 and 2017, respectively$481
 $480
Common stock, $0.01 par value; 68,000 shares authorized, 48,145 and 48,065 outstanding in 2019 and 2018, respectively$481
 $481
Additional paid-in capital336,960
 336,229
341,988
 337,623
Retained earnings374,593
 356,753
415,326
 392,053
Total common stockholders’ equity712,034
 693,462
757,795
 730,157
Long-term debt, less current maturities714,310
 515,793
Long-term debt, net807,478
 710,027
Total capitalization1,426,344
 1,209,255
1,565,273
 1,440,184
Current liabilities: 
  
 
  
Current maturities of long-term debt104,812
 15,920
Current maturities of long-term debt, net5,280
 104,911
Short-term borrowings75,100
 275,100
155,100
 65,100
Accounts payable102,938
 93,955
108,593
 95,580
Regulatory balancing accounts43,300
 59,303
6,887
 12,213
Accrued interest13,111
 6,122
14,410
 5,674
Accrued expenses and other liabilities42,629
 40,559
43,674
 37,688
Total current liabilities381,890
 490,959
333,944
 321,166
Unamortized investment tax credits1,724
 1,724
1,649
 1,649
Deferred income taxes199,143
 192,946
229,237
 213,033
Pension and postretirement benefits other than pensions235,501
 252,141
203,557
 193,538
Regulatory liabilities and other255,569
 224,127
260,812
 256,522
Advances for construction186,897
 182,502
190,272
 186,342
Contributions in aid of construction189,794
 186,721
238,510
 225,270
Commitments and contingencies (Note 10)

 



 


TOTAL CAPITALIZATION AND LIABILITIES$2,876,862
 $2,740,375
$3,023,254
 $2,837,704
See Accompanying Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

CALIFORNIA WATER SERVICE GROUP
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
Unaudited (In thousands, except per share data)
For the three months ended September 30,
2018
 September 30,
2017
 September 30,
2019
 September 30,
2018
Operating revenue $218,983
 $211,731
 $232,537
 $221,288
Operating expenses:  
  
  
  
Operations:  
  
  
  
Water production costs 78,818
 75,261
 80,568
 78,818
Administrative and general 26,493
 22,749
 26,779
 26,493
Other operations 21,943
 21,208
 24,550
 21,943
Maintenance 6,768
 6,057
 7,065
 6,768
Depreciation and amortization 21,009
 19,231
 22,273
 21,009
Income taxes 11,262
 18,219
 12,194
 11,786
Property and other taxes 7,142
 6,544
 7,541
 7,142
Total operating expenses 173,435
 169,269
 180,970
 173,959
Net operating income 45,548
 42,462
 51,567
 47,329
Other income and expenses:  
  
  
  
Non-regulated revenue 4,703
 3,542
 4,118
 4,703
Non-regulated expenses (4,897) (2,576) (4,351) (4,897)
Other components of net periodic benefit cost (1,975) (2,137) (1,857) (1,975)
Allowance for equity funds used during construction 1,023
 1,105
 1,868
 1,023
Income tax benefit on other income and expenses 305
 30
 330
 305
Net other loss (841) (36)
Net other income (loss) 108
 (841)
Interest expense:  
  
  
  
Interest expense 10,875
 9,284
 10,279
 10,875
Allowance for borrowed funds used during construction (560) (707) (1,028) (560)
Net interest expense 10,315
 8,577
 9,251
 10,315
Net income $34,392
 $33,849
 $42,424
 $36,173
Earnings per share:  
  
 0
 
Basic $0.72
 $0.70
 $0.88
 $0.75
Diluted 0.72
 0.70
 0.88
 0.75
Weighted average shares outstanding:  
  
  
  
Basic 48,070
 48,017
 48,141
 48,070
Diluted 48,070
 48,017
 48,141
 48,070
Dividends declared per share of common stock $0.1875
 $0.1800
 See Accompanying Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements



CALIFORNIA WATER SERVICE GROUP
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
Unaudited (In thousands, except per share data)
For the nine months ended September 30,
2018
 September 30,
2017
 September 30,
2019
 September 30,
2018
Operating revenue $523,862
 $504,899
 $537,679
 $530,779
Operating expenses:  
  
  
  
Operations:  
  
  
  
Water production costs 191,797
 181,460
 190,795
 191,797
Administrative and general 77,195
 66,908
 81,310
 77,195
Other operations 60,307
 55,660
 64,913
 60,307
Maintenance 17,596
 16,877
 19,212
 17,596
Depreciation and amortization 62,677
 57,650
 66,967
 62,677
Income taxes 15,380
 27,941
 13,524
 16,950
Property and other taxes 20,253
 18,717
 21,902
 20,253
Total operating expenses 445,205
 425,213
 458,623
 446,775
Net operating income 78,657
 79,686
 79,056
 84,004
Other income and expenses:  
  
  
  
Non-regulated revenue 13,967
 10,743
 14,149
 13,967
Non-regulated expenses (16,449) (6,244) (10,470) (16,449)
Other components of net periodic benefit cost (6,984) (7,023) (4,308) (6,984)
Allowance for equity funds used during construction 2,644
 2,763
 5,087
 2,644
Income tax benefit (expense) on other income and expenses 1,882
 (1,105)
Net other loss (4,940) (866)
Income tax (expense) benefit on other income and expenses (985) 1,882
Net other income (loss) 3,473
 (4,940)
Interest expense:  
  
  
  
Interest expense 30,207
 27,073
 33,532
 30,207
Allowance for borrowed funds used during construction (1,359) (1,765) (2,783) (1,359)
Net interest expense 28,848
 25,308
 30,749
 28,848
Net income $44,869
 $53,512
 $51,780
 $50,216
Earnings per share:  
  
  
  
Basic $0.93
 $1.11
 $1.08
 $1.04
Diluted 0.93
 1.11
 1.08
 1.04
Weighted average shares outstanding:  
  
  
  
Basic 48,058
 48,007
 48,121
 48,058
Diluted 48,058
 48,007
 48,121
 48,058
Dividends declared per share of common stock $0.5625
 $0.5400
 See Accompanying Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements



CALIFORNIA WATER SERVICE GROUP
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
Unaudited (In thousands)
For the nine months ended: September 30,
2018
 September 30,
2017
 September 30,
2019
 September 30,
2018
Operating activities:  
  
  
  
Net income $44,869
 $53,512
 $51,780
 $50,216
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:  
  
  
  
Depreciation and amortization 64,131
 59,016
 68,522
 64,131
Change in value of life insurance contracts 124
 (1,871) (3,433) 124
Allowance for equity funds used during construction (2,644) (2,763) (5,087) (2,644)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:  
  
  
  
Receivables and unbilled revenue (18,471) (52,951) (29,436) (18,471)
Accounts payable 18,133
 6,712
 16,735
 18,133
Other current assets (1,392) (4,643) (3,937) (1,392)
Other current liabilities 8,762
 10,939
 11,597
 8,762
Other changes in noncurrent assets and liabilities 5,991
 41,837
 21,602
 644
Net cash provided by operating activities 119,503
 109,788
 128,343
 119,503
Investing activities:  
  
  
  
Utility plant expenditures (212,856) (180,442) (194,942) (212,856)
Life insurance proceeds 3,491
 1,558
 
 3,491
Purchase of life insurance contracts (4,925) (3,948) (2,216) (4,925)
Net cash used in investing activities (214,290) (182,832) (197,158) (214,290)
Financing activities:  
  
  
  
Short-term borrowings 141,000
 185,000
 210,000
 141,000
Repayment of short-term borrowings (341,000) (87,000) (120,000) (341,000)
Issuance of long-term debt, net of expenses of $617 for 2018 and $0 for 2017 299,383
 
Issuance of long-term debt, net of expenses of $1,569 for 2019 and $617 for 2018 398,431
 299,383
Repayment of long-term debt (12,499) (2,797) (401,630) (12,499)
Advances and contributions in aid of construction 13,630
 14,964
 21,266
 13,630
Refunds of advances for construction (5,462) (6,316) (5,560) (5,462)
Repurchase of common stock (1,496) (1,359) (2,355) (1,496)
Issuance of common stock 1,278
 
Dividends paid (27,029) (25,920) (28,507) (27,029)
Net cash provided by financing activities 66,527
 76,572
 72,923
 66,527
Change in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash (28,260) 3,528
 4,108
 (28,260)
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at beginning of period 95,352
 25,935
 47,715
 95,352
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at end of period $67,092
 $29,463
 $51,823
 $67,092
Supplemental information:  
  
  
  
Cash paid for interest (net of amounts capitalized) $19,956
 $17,287
 $22,060
 $19,956
Income tax refund 
 $(1,697)
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash activities:  
  
  
  
Accrued payables for investments in utility plant $32,328
 $31,750
 $31,676
 $32,328
Utility plant contribution by developers $14,807
 $13,022
 $23,955
 $14,807
 See Accompanying Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements



CALIFORNIA WATER SERVICE GROUP
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
September 30, 20182019
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 one1 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, 2017, included in its annual report on Form 10-K2018 as filed with the SEC on March 1, 2018.February 28, 2019.
 
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 doubtful accounts, 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. The results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results for any future period.
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.
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 month periodsmonths ended September 30, 20182019 and 2017:2018:
Three Months Ended September 30Three Months Ended September 30
2018 20172019 2018
Revenue from contracts with customers$209,541
 $197,007
$214,963
 $209,541
Regulatory balancing account revenue9,442
 14,724
17,574
 11,747
Total operating revenue$218,983
 $211,731
$232,537
 $221,288

 Nine Months Ended September 30
 2019 2018
Revenue from contracts with customers$499,840
 $515,567
Regulatory balancing account revenue37,839
 15,212
Total operating revenue$537,679
 $530,779
 Nine Months Ended September 30
 2018 2017
Revenue from contracts with customers$515,567
 $472,412
Regulatory balancing account revenue8,295
 32,487
Total operating revenue$523,862
 $504,899

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 consolidated balance sheets, is inconsequential.
In the following tables, revenue from contracts with customers is disaggregated by class of customers for the three and nine month periodsmonths ended September 30, 20182019 and 2017:2018:
Three Months Ended September 30Three Months Ended September 30
2018 20172019 2018
Residential$138,939
 $131,608
$139,137
 $138,939
Business38,538
 35,678
38,247
 38,538
Industrial8,987
 7,919
9,077
 8,987
Public authorities12,180
 11,480
12,482
 12,180
Other(a)10,897
 10,322
16,020
 10,897
Total revenue from contracts with customers$209,541
 $197,007
$214,963
 $209,541
 Nine Months Ended September 30
 2019 2018
Residential$330,745
 $340,107
Business95,433
 97,720
Industrial23,866
 24,507
Public authorities24,566
 25,875
Other (a)25,230
 27,358
Total revenue from contracts with customers$499,840
 $515,567

 Nine Months Ended September 30
 2018 2017
Residential$340,107
 $309,645
Business97,720
 87,246
Industrial24,507
 21,281
Public authorities25,875
 23,500
Other27,358
 30,740
Total revenue from contracts with customers$515,567
 $472,412
(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.
The Water Revenue Adjustment Mechanism (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 accountrevenue.
Cost-recovery rates, such as the Modified Cost Balancing Account (MCBA), provide for recovery of the adopted levels of expenses for purchased water, purchased power, pump taxes, water conservation program costs, pension, and certain other operating expenses.health care. Variances between adopted and actual costs are recorded as regulatory balancing account revenue.
Each district's WRAM and MCBA regulatory assets and liabilities are allowed to be netted against one another. The Company recognizes regulatory balancing accountrevenues 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 accountrevenue is estimated to be collectible beyond 24 months, recognition is deferred.
Non-regulated Revenue
The following tables disaggregate the Company’s non-regulated revenue by source for the three and nine month periodsmonths ended September 30, 20182019 and 2017:2018:
Three Months Ended September 30Three Months Ended September 30
2018 20172019 2018
Operating and maintenance revenue$2,816
 $1,903
$2,929
 $2,816
Other non-regulated revenue1,328
 1,143
626
 1,328
Non-regulated revenue from contracts with customers$4,144
 $3,046
$3,555
 $4,144
Lease revenue$559
 $496
$563
 $559
Total non-regulated revenue$4,703
 $3,542
$4,118
 $4,703
 Nine Months Ended September 30
 2019 2018
Operating and maintenance revenue$9,248
 $8,278
Other non-regulated revenue3,189
 4,053
Non-regulated revenue from contracts with customers$12,437
 $12,331
Lease revenue$1,712
 $1,636
Total non-regulated revenue$14,149
 $13,967
 Nine Months Ended September 30
 2018 2017
Operating and maintenance revenue$8,278
 $5,870
Other non-regulated revenue4,053
 3,362
Non-regulated revenue from contracts with customers$12,331
 $9,232
Lease revenue$1,636
 $1,511
Total non-regulated revenue$13,967
 $10,743

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. Other non-regulated
Lease revenue is inconsequential.
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. Lease revenue is not considered revenue from contracts with customersThe company provides the lessee the right to ingress and egress across lessor property to access the antennas. The minimum rents are recognized on a straight-line basis over the terms of the leases, which may span multiple years. The excess rents are recognized over amounts contractually due pursuant to the underlying leases and is recognized following current operating lease standards.included in a deferred receivable account in the accompanying balance sheet. The


leases generally have terms of5 to 10 years, with lessee options to extend the lease for up to15 years. The exercise of lease renewal options is at the lessee’s sole discretion. Most of the Company’s lease agreements contain mutual termination options that require prior written notice by either lessee or lessor. A subset of the Company’s leases contains variable lease payments that depend on changes in the consumer price index (CPI).

The Company determines if an arrangement is a lease at inception. Generally, a lease agreement exists if the Company determines that the arrangement gives the lessee control over the use of an identified asset and obtains substantially all of the benefits from the identified asset.

Maturities of lease payments to be received are as follows:
Year Ending December 31,Operating Leases
2019$3,153
20202,587
20211,880
20221,078
2023584
Thereafter871

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, 2019 December 31, 2018
Cash and cash equivalents51,257
 47,176
Restricted cash (included in "taxes, prepaid expenses and other assets")566
 539
Total cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash shown in the statements of cash flows$51,823
 $47,715

 September 30, 2018 December 31, 2017
Cash and cash equivalents66,421
 94,776
Restricted cash (included in "taxes, prepaid expenses and other assets")671
 576
Total cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash shown in the statements of cash flows$67,092
 $95,352
Adoption of New Accounting Standards
In May of 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (codified in ASC 606), which amends the existing revenue recognition guidance. The Company completed an evaluation of the new revenue standard and implemented the standard on January 1, 2018 using the modified retrospective method for all contracts. The reported results for 2018 reflect the application of ASC 606 guidance, while prior period amounts were not adjusted and continue to be reported in accordance with the accounting standards in effect for those periods. Other than increased disclosures regarding revenues related to contracts with customers, the implementation did not have a significant impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements (see "Operating Revenue" section of note 2 above).
In August of 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230) - Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments. This update adds and clarifies guidance on the classification of certain cash receipts and payments in the statement of cash flows. The Company will continue to classify proceeds from the settlement of insurance claims on the basis of the nature of the loss and from the settlement of Company-owned life insurance policies as cash inflows on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. The Company implemented the standard on January 1, 2018 and retrospectively applied the standard in the comparative period. The standard does not have a significant impact to the Company's consolidated financial statements.
In November of 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-18, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230) - Restricted Cash. The update requires the Company to combine restricted cash with cash and cash equivalents when reconciling the beginning and end of period balances in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. The Company implemented the standard on January 1, 2018 and retrospectively applied the standard in the comparative period.
The following table shows the effect of the accounting change to the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows:
 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows line itemAs Reported on Form 10-Q Adjusted Balance on Form 10-Q Increase (Decrease) from Retrospective Adoption
Change in restricted cash$(679) $
 $679
Net cash used in investing activities$(183,511) $(182,832) $679
Change in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash$2,849
 $3,528
 $679
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at beginning of period$25,492
 $25,935
 $443
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at end of period$28,341
 $29,463
 $1,122
In March of 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-07, Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost. The update requires employers to present the service cost component of the net periodic benefit cost in the same income statement line item as other employee compensation costs arising from services rendered during the period. The other components of net benefit cost, including interest cost, expected return on plan assets, amortization of prior service cost/credit and actuarial gain/loss, and settlement and curtailment effects, are to be presented as non-operating items. In addition, the standard only allows the service cost component to be eligible for capitalization.
The standard became effective as of January 1, 2018. The presentation amendments were applied retrospectively and the capitalization amendments were applied prospectively on and after the effective date. The Company applied the practical expedient that permits the Company to use the amounts disclosed in its pension and other postretirement benefit plan footnote from the prior comparative periods as the estimation basis for applying the retrospective presentation

requirements. The Commissions have authorized the Company to recover the other components of net periodic benefit cost through the Company’s capital program and thus on and after the effective date, the other components of net periodic benefit cost that have previously been recorded as part of utility plant have been recognized as a regulatory asset (see note 9). As a result, the changes required by the standard did not have a material impact on the results of operations.
The following tables show the effect of the accounting change to the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2017:
 Three Months Ended September 30, 2017
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Income line itemAs Reported on Form 10-Q Adjusted Balance on Form 10-Q Increase (Decrease) from Retrospective Adoption
Administrative and general$24,886
 $22,749
 $(2,137)
Income taxes$17,348
 $18,219
 $871
Total operating expenses$170,535
 $169,269
 $(1,266)
Net operating income$41,196
 $42,462
 $1,266
Other components of net periodic benefit cost$
 $(2,137) $2,137
Income tax benefit (expense) on other income and expenses$(841) $30
 $871
Net other income (loss)$1,230
 $(36) $(1,266)
 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Income line itemAs Reported on Form 10-Q Adjusted Balance on Form 10-Q Increase (Decrease) from Retrospective Adoption
Administrative and general$73,931
 $66,908
 $(7,023)
Income taxes$26,099
 $27,941
 $1,842
Total operating expenses$430,394
 $425,213
 $(5,181)
Net operating income$74,505
 $79,686
 $5,181
Other components of net periodic benefit cost$
 $(7,023) $7,023
Income tax expense on other income and expenses$(2,947) $(1,105) $1,842
Net other income (loss)$4,315
 $(866) $(5,181)
New Accounting Standards Issued But Not Yet Adopted
In February of 2016, the FASBFinancial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued ASU 2016-02, Leases, which amends the guidance relating to the definition of a lease, recognition of lease assets and liabilities on the balance sheet, and the related disclosure requirements. In July of 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-11, Leases: Targeted Improvements, which amends the new leasing guidance such that entities may elect not to restate their comparative periodsleases, with amendments in the period of adoption.2018. The guidance requires lessees to recognize an asset and liability on the balance sheet for all of their lease obligations. Operating leases were previously not recognized on the balance sheet. ASU 2016-02 is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018 and early adoption is permitted.
The Company will adoptadopted the standard using the modified retrospective method for its existing leases and expects this standard to increasedid not restate its comparative periods in the period of adoption. The Company completed its review of its lease portfolio including significant leases and the Company designed and implemented new controls as part of the adoption of the new standard. The implementation increased lease assets and lease liabilities on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. Sheets by $13.8 million as of January 1, 2019.

The Company intends to electelected certain practical expedients and will carrycarried forward historical conclusions related to (1) contracts that contain leases, (2) existing lease classification for any expired or existing leases, and (3) initial direct costs for any existing leases. The Company will also applyapplied the practical expedient that will allowallows the Company to elect, as an accounting policy, by asset class, to include both lease and nonleasenon-lease components as a single component and account for it as a lease. The Company will applyapplied the short-term lease exception for lessees which will allowallowed the Company to not have to apply the recognition requirements of the new leasing guidance for short-term leases and to recognize lease payments in net income on a straight linestraight-line basis over the lease term. The Company doesOtherwise, the new standard did not expect that the guidance will have a material impact on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income, Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, and lease disclosures.remaining consolidated financial statements.

Note 3. Stock-based Compensation
Equity Incentive Plan
DuringThe following table lists the number of annual Restricted Stock Awards (RSAs) granted and canceled during the three and nine months ended September 30, 20182019 and 2017, the Company granted annual Restricted Stock Awards (RSAs) of 47,273 and 48,717, respectively, to officers and directors of the Company. During those same periods, 16,520 RSAs and 17,466 RSAs, respectively, were canceled. During the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, 1,138 RSAs and no RSAs, respectively, were granted and 3,214 RSAs and 3,280 RSAs, respectively, were canceled. RSAs granted to officers vest over 36 months with the first year cliff vesting. RSAs granted to directors generally vest at the end of 12 months. 2018:
 Three Months Ended September 30 Nine Months Ended September 30
 2019 2018 2019 2018
RSAs granted
 1,138
 36,183
 47,273
RSAs canceled2,739
 3,214
 14,394
 16,520
During the first nine months of 20182019 and 2017,2018, the RSAs granted were valued at $35.40$52.83 and $36.75$35.40 per share, respectively, based upon the fair value of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant.
DuringThe following table lists the number of Restricted Stock Unit Awards (RSUs) granted, issued, and canceled during the three and nine months ended September 30, 20182019 and 2017, the Company granted 28,5942018:
 Three Months Ended September 30 Nine Months Ended September 30
 2019 2018 2019 2018
RSUs granted
 
 26,473
 28,594
RSUs issued
 
 62,726
 48,753
RSUs canceled
 
 31,177
 24,009
The 2019 and 31,389 performance-based Restricted Stock Unit Awards (RSUs), respectively, to officers. During those same periods, the Company issued 48,753 RSUs and 38,709 RSUs, respectively, to officers, and canceled 24,009 RSUs and 19,735 RSUs, respectively. During the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, the Company did not grant, issue or cancel any RSUs. Each RSU award reflects a target number of shares that may be issued to the award recipient. The 2018 and 2017 awards may be earned upon completion of the three-year performance period and are recognized as expense ratably over the period using a fair value of $35.40$52.83 per share and $36.75$35.40 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 $5.3 million and $2.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively. For the three months ended September 30, 2019 and 2017.2018, the Company has recorded compensation costs for the RSAs and RSUs in the amount of $1.4 million and $0.8 million, respectively.

Note 4. Equity
On October 31, 2019, the Company entered into an equity distribution agreement with Morgan Stanley & Co., LLC, Robert W. Baird & Co. Incorporated, Blaylock Van, LLC and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC to sell shares of its common stock having an aggregate gross sales price of up to $300.0 million from time to time depending on market conditions through an at-the-market equity program over the next three years. The Company intends to use the net proceeds from these sales, after deducting commissions on such sales and offering expenses, for general corporate purposes, which may include working capital, construction and acquisition expenditures, investments and repurchases, and redemptions of securities.
The Company’s changes in total common stockholders’ equity for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018 were as follows:
 
Total Common
Stockholders’ Equity
Balance at December 31, 2017$693,462
Common stock issued1
Share-based compensation expense2,227
Repurchase of common stock(1,496)
Common stock dividends declared(27,029)
Net income44,869
Balance at September 30, 2018$712,034
 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, 201948,065
 $481
 $337,623
 $392,053
 $730,157
Net loss      (7,640) (7,640)
Issuance of common stock109
 
 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, 201948,134
 481
 338,728
 374,920
 714,129
Net income      16,996
 16,996
Issuance of common stock8
 
 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, 201948,140
 481
 340,274
 382,409
 723,164
Net income      42,424
 42,424
Issuance of common stock9
 
 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, 201948,145
 481
 341,988
 415,326
 757,795


 Nine months ended September 30, 2018
 Common Stock Additional
Paid-in
Capital
 Retained
Earnings
 Total
Stockholders'
Equity
 Shares Amount   
 (In thousands)
Balance at January 1, 201848,012
 $480
 $336,229
 $362,512
 $699,221
Net loss      (762) (762)
Issuance of common stock95
 1
 635
 
 636
Repurchase of common stock(33) 
 (1,239) 
 (1,239)
Dividends paid on common stock ($0.1875 per share)      (9,003) (9,003)
Balance at March 31, 201848,074

481
 335,625
 352,747
 688,853
Net income      14,805
 14,805
Issuance of common stock
 
 737
 
 737
Repurchase of common stock(4) 
 (124) 
 (124)
Dividends paid on common stock ($0.1875 per share)      (9,014) (9,014)
Balance at June 30, 201848,070
 481
 336,238
 358,538
 695,257
Net income      36,173
 36,173
Issuance of common stock1
 
 853
 
 853
Repurchase of common stock(3) 
 (131) 
 (131)
Dividends paid on common stock ($0.1875 per share)      (9,012) (9,012)
Balance at September 30, 201848,068
 481
 336,960
 385,699
 723,140


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. Diluted earnings per share reflects the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts were exercised or converted into common stock. 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 30Three Months Ended September 30
2018 20172019 2018
(In thousands, except per share data)(In thousands, except per share data)
Net income available to common stockholders$34,392
 $33,849
$42,424
 $36,173
Weighted average common shares outstanding, basic48,070
 48,017
48,141
 48,070
Weighted average common shares outstanding, dilutive48,070
 48,017
48,141
 48,070
Earnings per share - basic$0.72
 $0.70
$0.88
 $0.75
Earnings per share - diluted$0.72
 $0.70
$0.88
 $0.75
 Nine Months Ended September 30
 2019 2018
 (In thousands, except per share data)
Net income available to common stockholders$51,780
 $50,216
Weighted average common shares outstanding, basic48,121
 48,058
Weighted average common shares outstanding, dilutive48,121
 48,058
Earnings per share - basic$1.08
 $1.04
Earnings per share - diluted$1.08
 $1.04
 Nine Months Ended September 30
 2018 2017
 (In thousands, except per share data)
Net income available to common stockholders$44,869
 $53,512
Weighted average common shares outstanding, basic48,058
 48,007
Weighted average common shares outstanding, dilutive48,058
 48,007
Earnings per share - basic$0.93
 $1.11
Earnings per share - diluted$0.93
 $1.11


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 related to the pension plans were $42.3$12.5 million and $22.2$42.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 20182019 and 2017,2018, respectively. Cash contributions made by the Company related to the other postretirement benefit plans were $8.0$5.6 million and $2.3$8.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 20182019 and 2017,2018, respectively. The total 20182019 estimated cash contribution to the pension plans is $42.3$18.8 million and to the other postretirement benefit plans is $9.7$7.9 million.


The following table liststables 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 30Three Months Ended September 30
Pension Plan Other BenefitsPension Plan Other Benefits
2018 2017 2018 20172019 2018 2019 2018
Service cost$6,966
 $6,122
 $1,966
 $2,169
$6,910
 $6,966
 $2,082
 $1,966
Interest cost6,007
 5,861
 1,183
 1,491
6,941
 6,007
 1,407
 1,183
Expected return on plan assets(7,052) (6,031) (1,397) (1,218)(7,581) (7,052) (1,475) (1,397)
Amortization of prior service cost1,263
 1,445
 11
 11
1,262
 1,263
 49
 11
Recognized net actuarial loss2,791
 1,881
 242
 649
1,821
 2,791
 214
 242
Net periodic benefit cost$9,975
 $9,278
 $2,005
 $3,102
$9,353
 $9,975
 $2,277
 $2,005


 Nine Months Ended September 30
 Pension Plan Other Benefits
 2019 2018 2019 2018
Service cost$20,039
 $21,770
 $5,606
 $7,066
Interest cost20,225
 17,996
 4,081
 4,152
Expected return on plan assets(22,714) (20,777) (4,346) (4,229)
Amortization of prior service cost3,786
 3,789
 148
 32
Recognized net actuarial loss4,445
 8,386
 421
 1,789
Net periodic benefit cost$25,781
 $31,164
 $5,910
 $8,810
 Nine Months Ended September 30
 Pension Plan Other Benefits
 2018 2017 2018 2017
Service cost$21,770
 $17,851
 $7,066
 $6,207
Interest cost17,996
 17,442
 4,152
 4,472
Expected return on plan assets(20,777) (18,090) (4,229) (3,653)
Amortization of prior service cost3,789
 4,336
 32
 32
Recognized net actuarial loss8,386
 5,386
 1,789
 1,947
Net periodic benefit cost$31,164
 $26,925
 $8,810
 $9,005

Service cost portion of the pension plan and other postretirement benefits is recognized in administrative"administrative and generalgeneral" 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"other components of net periodic benefit costcost" within the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (see note 2).Income.

Note 7. Short-term and Long-term Borrowings
On June 11, 2019, Cal Water completed the sale and issuance of $400.0 million in aggregate principal amount of First Mortgage Bonds (the bonds) in a private placement. The bonds consist of $100.0 million of 3.40% bonds, series VVV, maturing June 11, 2029; $100.0 million of 4.07% bonds, series WWW, maturing June 11, 2049; and $200.0 million of 4.17% bonds, series YYY, maturing June 11, 2059. Interest on the bonds will accrue semi-annually and be payable in arrears. The bonds will rank equally with all of Cal Water’s other First Mortgage Bonds and will be secured by liens on Cal Water’s properties, subject to certain exceptions and permitted liens. Cal Water used the net proceeds from the sale of the bonds to pay down outstanding short-term borrowings and to redeem $300.0 million of bond series UUU. The bonds were not registered under the Securities Act of 1933 and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from registration requirements.
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 revolving credit facilities amend, expand, and replace the Company’s and its subsidiaries’ prior credit facilities originally entered into on May 10, 2015. The new credit facilities extended the terms until March 29, 2024, and increased Cal Water’s unsecured revolving line of credit. 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. All borrowings must be repaid within 24 months unless a different period is required or authorized by the CPUC. 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 proceeds from the revolving credit facilities may be used for working capital purposes, including the short-term financing of capital projects. Borrowings under the credit facilities typically have maturities varying between one and six months and will bear interest annually at a rate equal to (i) the base rate or (ii) the Eurodollar rate, plus an applicable margin of 0.650% to 0.875%, depending on the Company and its subsidiaries’ consolidated total capitalization ratio.
Both short-term unsecured 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 and interest coverage ratio.

The outstanding borrowings on the Company line of credit were $75.1 million and $55.1 million as of September 30, 20182019 and December 31, 2017, respectively.2018. There were no$100.0 million and $10.0 million of borrowings on the Cal Water line of credit as of September 30, 20182019 and $220.0 million of borrowings as of December 31, 2017.2018, respectively. The average borrowing rate for borrowings on the Company and Cal Water lines of credit during the nine months ended September 30, 20182019 was 2.88%3.38% compared to 1.97%2.88% for the same period last year.
On September 13, 2018, Cal Water sold $300.0 million of floating rate First Mortgage Bonds due in September of 2020 in a private placement. The floating interest rate was set at three-month LIBOR plus 70 basis points, will accrue quarterly, and be payable in arrears. The bonds are redeemable at a premium of 102%, or at par after June 13, 2019. The bonds will also rank equally with all of Cal Water's other First Mortgage Bonds and will be secured by liens on Cal Water's properties, subject to certain exceptions and permitted liens.
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
 2018 2017
Income tax expense$10,957
 $18,189
 Three Months Ended September 30
 2019 2018
Income tax expense$11,864
 $11,481
 Nine Months Ended September 30
 2019 2018
Income tax expense$14,509
 $15,068
 Nine Months Ended September 30
 2018 2017
Income tax expense$13,498
 $29,046

The income tax expense decreased $7.2increased $0.4 million to $11.0$11.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 20182019 as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2017 mostly2018. The increase is due to the federal income tax rate reduction from 35% to 21%, effective January 1, 2018, an increase in tax benefitspre-tax net income of $0.9$6.6 million and a decrease in pre-tax income.for the three months ended September 30, 2019 as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2018.

The income tax expense decreased $15.5$0.6 million to $13.5$14.5 million infor the first nine months of 2018,ended September 30, 2019 as compared to $29.0 millionin the first nine months of 2017.ended September 30, 2018. The decrease was mainlyis due to the federalhigher income tax rate reduction from 35%benefit for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 as compared to 21%, effective January 1, 2018, an increase in tax benefits of $0.9 million, and a decrease in pre-tax income.the nine months ended September 30, 2018.


The Company's 20182019 effective tax rate, before discrete items, is estimated to be in the range from 22% to 25%.

For the year ended December 31, 2017,2018, the Company recorded a provisional re-measurement of its deferred tax balances (related mostly to timing differences for plant-related items) which was offset by a change from a net deferred income tax regulatory asset to a net regulatory liability. The Company is continuing to work with state regulators to finalize the customer net refund of $108.0 million to ensure compliance with federal normalization rules.
. The final transition impactsimpact of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) may differ from the recorded amounts, possibly materially, due to among other things, regulatory decisions that could differ from the Company’s determination of how the impactsimpact of the TCJA are allocated between customers and shareholders. In addition, while the Company was able to make reasonable estimates of the impact of the reduction in federal tax rate and the elimination of bonus depreciation due to the enactment of the TCJA, the Company has not completed analysis for areas of the TCJA around Internal Revenue Code Section 162(m), full expensing of fixed assets, and other asset related items of the TCJA. Changeschanges 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 willis continuing to work with state regulators to finalize the customer net refund of $107.0 million to ensure compliance with federal normalization rules and will record any adjustments related to the TCJA within the one year measurement period provided under Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118. The balances relating to TCJA impact continue to be provisional as of September 30, 2018.based on state regulator's decisions.
The Company had unrecognized tax benefits of approximately $12.0$10.6 million and $10.2$9.7 million as of September 30, 20182019 and 2017,2018, respectively. Included in the balance of unrecognized tax benefits as of September 30, 20182019 and 20172018 are approximately $2.3$3.1 million and $2.9 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.

Note 9. Regulatory Assets and Liabilities
Regulatory assets and liabilities were comprised of the following as of September 30, 20182019 and December 31, 2017:2018:
 Recovery Period September 30, 2019 December 31, 2018
Regulatory Assets   
  
Pension and retiree group healthIndefinitely $156,453
 $156,947
Property-related temporary differences (tax benefits flowed through to customers)Indefinitely 100,943
 99,376
Other accrued benefitsIndefinitely 21,183
 20,588
Net WRAM and MCBA long-term accounts receivable1-2 years 30,454
 17,134
Asset retirement obligations, netIndefinitely 19,619
 18,197
Interim rates long-term accounts receivable1 year 4,642
 4,642
Tank coating10 years 13,745
 11,196
Recoverable property losses10 years 5,539
 1,275
Pension balancing account1 year 20,158
 16,494
Other components of net periodic benefit costIndefinitely 4,641
 3,221
Other regulatory assetsVarious 5,107
 4,499
Total Regulatory Assets  $382,484
 $353,569
      
Regulatory Liabilities   
  
Future tax benefits due to customers  $180,207
 $180,205
Health care balancing account  4,315
 3,516
Conservation program  5,659
 6,880
Net WRAM and MCBA long-term payable  67
 222
Tax accounting memorandum account  785
 5,039
Cost of capital memorandum account  148
 2,834
1,2,3 trichloropropane settlement proceeds  9,204
 12,142
Other regulatory liabilities  272
 437
Total Regulatory Liabilities  $200,657
 $211,275

 September 30, 2018 December 31, 2017
Regulatory Assets 
  
Pension and retiree group health$213,755
 $214,249
Property-related temporary differences (tax benefits flowed through to customers)81,354
 87,323
Other accrued benefits27,634
 28,251
Net WRAM and MCBA long-term accounts receivable21,826
 34,879
Asset retirement obligations, net18,180
 17,126
Interim rates long-term accounts receivable4,557
 4,568
Tank coating11,490
 10,998
Health care balancing account442
 496
Pension balancing account6,250
 2,322
Other components of net periodic benefit cost2,433
 
Other regulatory assets379
 935
Total Regulatory Assets$388,300
 $401,147
    
Regulatory Liabilities 
  
Future tax benefits due to customers$169,675
 $168,343
Health care balancing account12,124
 7,749
Conservation program6,019
 2,273
Pension balancing account13
 364
Net WRAM and MCBA long-term payable136
 513
Tax accounting memorandum account4,998
 
Cost of capital memorandum account2,834
 
1,2,3 trichloropropane settlement proceeds12,841
 
Other regulatory liabilities50
 464
Total Regulatory Liabilities$208,690
 $179,706



Short-term regulatory assets and liabilities are excluded from the above table.
The short-term regulatory assets were $38.0$33.4 million as of September 30, 20182019 and $36.8$42.4 million as of December 31, 2017.2018. As of September 30, 20182019 and December 31, 2017,2018, the short-term regulatory assets primarily consist of net WRAM and MCBA receivables.
The short-term portions of regulatory liabilities were $43.3$6.9 million as of September 30, 20182019 and $59.3$12.2 million as of December 31, 2017.2018. The short-term regulatory liabilities as of September 30, 2018,2019, primarily consist of 1,2,3 trichloropropane (TCP) settlement proceeds.proceeds, tax accounting memorandum account refunds, and cost of capital memorandum account refunds. As of December 31, 2017,2018, the short-term regulatory liabilities primarily consist of TCP settlement proceeds and net WRAM and MCBA liability balances.
The tax accounting and cost of capital memorandum account regulatory liabilities are related to the estimated customer refunds due to changes in the federal income tax rate and to the cost of capital decision for Cal Water.
The other components of net periodic benefit cost regulatory asset are authorized by the Commissions and are probable for rate recovery through the capital program (see Note 2).

Note 10. Commitments and Contingencies
Commitments
The Company has significant commitments to lease certain office spaces and water systems and to purchase water from water wholesalers. These commitments are described in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017.2018. 
Effective April 3, 2018,Leases
The Company has operating and finance leases for water systems, offices, land easements, licenses, equipment, and other facilities. The leases generally have remaining lease terms of 1 year to 50 years, some of which include options to extend the Citylease for up to 25 years. The exercise of Commerce has renewedlease renewal options is at the Company’s sole discretion. Most of the Company’s lease agreements contain mutual termination options that require prior written notice by either lessee or lessor. The Company’s lease agreements do not contain any material residual value guarantees or material restrictive covenants. Certain leases include options to purchase the leased property. The depreciable life of the assets and leasehold improvements are limited by the expected lease term, unless there is a transfer of title or purchase option that is reasonably certain of exercise. Leases with an initial term of 12 months or less are not recorded on the balance sheet as the Company applied the short-term lease exception allowed by the FASB guidance. Lease expense for these leases is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. A subset of the Company’s leases contains variable lease payments that depend on changes in the CPI.
The Company determines if an arrangement is a lease at contract inception. Generally, a lease agreement for Cal Waterexists if the Company determines that the arrangement gives the Company control over the use of an identified asset and obtains substantially all of the benefits from the identified asset.
The right-of-use (ROU) assets that are recorded represent the Company’s right to operate the City of Commerce’s water systemuse an underlying asset for the next 15 years. Cal Water has operatedlease term and lease liabilities represent the CityCompany’s obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. Lease ROU assets and liabilities are recognized at commencement date based on the present value of Commerce water system since 1985lease payments over the lease term. As most of the Company’s operating leases do not provide an implicit rate, the Company uses an incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at commencement date in determining the present value of lease payments. The ROU asset and lease liability may include options to extend or terminate the lease when it is responsible for all operations, maintenance, water quality assurance,reasonably certain that the Company will exercise that option. Variable lease payments that are based on changes in CPI are included in the measurement of ROU asset and customer service programslease liability on the basis of the rate at lease commencement. Subsequent changes to providethe payments as a reliable supplyresult of water that meets federal and state standardschanges to customers served by the CityCPI rate are recognized in the period in which the obligation of Commerce system. these payments is incurred.









Supplemental balance sheet information related to leases was as follows:
 As of September 30, 2019
Operating leases 
Other assets$14,349
  
Accrued expenses and other liabilities$1,421
Regulatory liabilities and other12,885
Total operating lease liabilities$14,306
  
Finance leases 
Utility plant$18,207
Accumulated depreciation and amortization(9,352)
Net utility plant$8,855
  
Current maturities of long-term debt, net$670
Long-term debt, net5,378
Total finance lease liabilities$6,048
  
Weighted average remaining lease term 
Operating leases155 months
Finance leases80 months
  
Weighted average discount rate 
Operating leases3.7%
Finance leases5.5%

The Citycomponents of Commerce will remain responsible for financing infrastructure improvements and setting its customers’ water rates.lease expense were as follows:
As
 Three Months Ended September 30 Nine Months Ended September 30
 2019  
Operating lease cost$490
 $1,368
    
Finance lease cost:   
Amortization of right-of-use assets$292
 $918
Interest on lease liabilities85
 264
Total finance lease cost$377
 $1,182
    
Short-term lease cost$543
 $716
Variable lease cost66
 198
Total lease cost$1,476
 $3,464






Supplemental cash flow information related to leases was as follows:
 Nine Months Ended September 30
 2019
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities: 
Operating cash flows from operating leases$1,322
Operating cash flows from finance leases264
Financing cash flows from finance leases508
Non-cash activities: right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for lease obligations: 
Operating leases1,697
Finance leases672

Maturities of lease liabilities as of September 30, 2018, there were no other significant changes from2019 are as follows:
Year Ending December 31,Operating Leases Finance Leases
2019 (a)$451
 $245
20201,892
 986
20211,673
 987
20221,516
 987
20231,396
 1,506
20241,253
 940
Thereafter10,067
 1,645
Total lease payments$18,248
 $7,296
    
Less imputed interest$(3,942) $(1,248)
Total$14,306
 $6,048
(a) Excludes payments made for the first nine months of 2019.
As previously disclosed in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017.2018 and under the previous lease accounting standard, minimum lease payments, as of December 31, 2018, under non-cancelable operating leases by period were expected to be as follows:
2019$1,771
20201,709
20211,485
20221,355
20231,261
Thereafter10,538
Total$18,119








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 and uses of proceeds to comply with CPUC’s general policy.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, 20182019 and December 31, 2017,2018, the Company recognized a liability of $3.8$2.6 million and $6.1$2.3 million, respectively, for known legal matters. The decrease is mainly due to several large claims being resolved in the first nine months of 2018. 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 Plan 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.

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, 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 1.70%1.83%.

Advances for construction fair values were estimated using broker quotes from companies that frequently purchase these investments.
September 30, 2018September 30, 2019
  Fair Value  Fair Value
Cost Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 TotalCost Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total
Long-term debt, including current maturities$819,122
 
 $847,812
 
 $847,812
Long-term debt, including current maturities, net$812,758
 
 $912,402
 
 $912,402
Advances for construction186,897
 
 77,745
 
 77,745
190,272
 
 79,818
 
 79,818
Total$1,006,019
 $
 $925,557
 $
 $925,557
$1,003,030
 $
 $992,220
 $
 $992,220
 
 December 31, 2018
   Fair Value
 Cost Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total
Long-term debt, including current maturities, net$814,938
 $
 $849,551
 $
 $849,551
Advances for construction186,342
 
 77,204
 
 77,204
Total$1,001,280
 
 $926,755
 $
 $926,755
 December 31, 2017
   Fair Value
 Cost Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total
Long-term debt, including current maturities$531,713
 $
 $607,492
 $
 $607,492
Advances for construction182,502
 
 75,083
 
 75,083
Total$714,215
 
 $682,575
 $
 $682,575

Note 12. Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements
On April 17, 2009, Cal Water issued $100.0 million aggregate principal amount of 5.875% First Mortgage Bonds due 2019, and on November 17, 2010, Cal Water issued $100.0 million aggregate principal amount of 5.500% First Mortgage Bonds due 2040, all of which areis fully and unconditionally guaranteed by the Company. As a result of thesethis guarantee arrangements,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, 20182019 and December 31, 2017,2018, the Condensed Consolidating Statements of Income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 20182019 and 2017,2018, and the Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended September 30, 20182019 and 20172018 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. The Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 reflect the retrospective adoption of ASU 2016-18 (refer to Note 2 for more details). The Condensed Consolidating Statements of Income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 reflect the retrospective adoption of ASU 2017-07 (refer to Note 2 for more details).

CALIFORNIA WATER SERVICE GROUP
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET
As of September 30, 20182019
(In thousands)
 
Parent
Company
 Cal Water 
All Other
Subsidiaries
 
Consolidating
Adjustments
 Consolidated
Parent
Company
 Cal Water 
All Other
Subsidiaries
 
Consolidating
Adjustments
 Consolidated
ASSETS 
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
Utility plant: 
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
Utility plant$1,317
 $2,963,674
 $211,931
 $(7,196) $3,169,726
$1,318
 $3,194,372
 $222,726
 $(7,197) $3,411,219
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization(989) (926,291) (58,780) 2,076
 (983,984)(1,083) (1,004,387) (64,654) 2,159
 (1,067,965)
Net utility plant328
 2,037,383
 153,151
 (5,120) 2,185,742
235
 2,189,985
 158,072
 (5,038) 2,343,254
Current assets:     
         
    
Cash and cash equivalents2,445
 55,108
 8,868
 
 66,421
2,408
 39,187
 9,662
 
 51,257
Receivables and unbilled revenue
 144,340
 5,639
 
 149,979

 133,281
 5,319
 
 138,600
Receivables from affiliates44,671
 895
 286
 (45,852) 
28,896
 540
 214
 (29,650) 
Other current assets203
 17,360
 1,576
 
 19,139
235
 19,435
 2,529
 
 22,199
Total current assets47,319
 217,703
 16,369
 (45,852) 235,539
31,539
 192,443
 17,724
 (29,650) 212,056
Other assets:     
         
    
Regulatory assets
 384,249
 4,051
 
 388,300

 377,962
 4,522
 
 382,484
Investments in affiliates716,177
 
 
 (716,177) 
756,177
 
 
 (756,177) 
Long-term affiliate notes receivable25,172
 
 
 (25,172) 
26,288
 
 
 (26,288) 
Other assets70
 63,624
 3,660
 (73) 67,281
460
 80,480
 4,692
 (214) 85,460
Total other assets741,419
 447,873
 7,711
 (741,422) 455,581
782,925
 458,442
 9,214
 (782,679) 467,944
TOTAL ASSETS$789,066
 $2,702,959
 $177,231
 $(792,394) $2,876,862
$814,699
 $2,840,870
 $185,010
 $(817,367) $3,023,254
CAPITALIZATION AND LIABILITIES 
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
Capitalization: 
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
Common stockholders’ equity$712,034
 $642,588
 $78,798
 $(721,386) $712,034
$757,795
 $679,037
 $82,366
 $(761,403) $757,795
Affiliate long-term debt
 
 
 
 

 
 26,288
 (26,288) 
Long-term debt, less current maturities
 713,622
 25,860
 (25,172) 714,310
Long-term debt, net
 807,019
 459
 
 807,478
Total capitalization712,034
 1,356,210
 104,658
 (746,558) 1,426,344
757,795
 1,486,056
 109,113
 (787,691) 1,565,273
Current liabilities: 
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
Current maturities of long-term debt
 104,538
 274
 
 104,812
Current maturities of long-term debt, net
 5,122
 158
 
 5,280
Short-term borrowings75,100
 
 
 
 75,100
55,100
 100,000
 
 
 155,100
Payables to affiliates
 21,710
 24,142
 (45,852) 

 4,906
 24,744
 (29,650) 
Accounts payable
 99,315
 3,623
 
 102,938

 103,748
 4,845
 
 108,593
Accrued expenses and other liabilities112
 94,675
 4,253
 
 99,040
329
 60,621
 4,021
 
 64,971
Total current liabilities75,212
 320,238
 32,292
 (45,852) 381,890
55,429
 274,397
 33,768
 (29,650) 333,944
Unamortized investment tax credits
 1,724
 
 
 1,724

 1,649
 
 
 1,649
Deferred income taxes1,820
 193,864
 3,459
 
 199,143
1,475
 224,549
 3,213
 
 229,237
Pension and postretirement benefits other than pensions
 235,501
 
 
 235,501

 203,557
 
 (26) 203,557
Regulatory liabilities and other
 251,235
 4,318
 16
 255,569

 253,843
 6,953
 
 260,812
Advances for construction
 186,389
 508
 
 186,897

 189,781
 491
 
 190,272
Contributions in aid of construction
 157,798
 31,996
 
 189,794

 207,038
 31,472
 
 238,510
TOTAL CAPITALIZATION AND LIABILITIES$789,066
 $2,702,959
 $177,231
 $(792,394) $2,876,862
$814,699
 $2,840,870
 $185,010
 $(817,367) $3,023,254

CALIFORNIA WATER SERVICE GROUP
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET
As of December 31, 20172018
(In thousands)
 
 
Parent
Company
 Cal Water 
All Other
Subsidiaries
 
Consolidating
Adjustments
 Consolidated
ASSETS 
  
  
  
  
Utility plant: 
  
  
  
  
Utility plant$1,318
 $3,021,437
 $213,888
 $(7,197) $3,229,446
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization(1,013) (938,072) (59,735) 2,097
 (996,723)
Net utility plant305
 2,083,365
 154,153
 (5,100) 2,232,723
Current assets: 
  
  
  
  
Cash and cash equivalents3,779
 33,763
 9,634
 
 47,176
Receivables and unbilled revenue126
 118,632
 4,201
 
 122,959
Receivables from affiliates21,318
 4,074
 61
 (25,453) 
Other current assets80
 16,907
 1,580
 
 18,567
Total current assets25,303
 173,376
 15,476
 (25,453) 188,702
Other assets: 
  
  
  
  
Regulatory assets
 349,414
 4,155
 
 353,569
Investments in affiliates733,156
 
 
 (733,156) 
Long-term affiliate notes receivable27,829
 
 
 (27,829) 
Other assets133
 58,959
 3,821
 (203) 62,710
Total other assets761,118
 408,373
 7,976
 (761,188) 416,279
TOTAL ASSETS$786,726
 $2,665,114
 $177,605
 $(791,741) $2,837,704
CAPITALIZATION AND LIABILITIES 
  
  
  
  
Capitalization: 
  
  
  
  
Common stockholders’ equity$730,157
 $659,340
 79,093
 $(738,433) $730,157
Affiliate long-term debt
 
 27,828
 (27,828) 
Long-term debt, net
 709,444
 583
 
 710,027
Total capitalization730,157
 1,368,784
 107,504
 (766,261) 1,440,184
Current liabilities: 
  
  
  
  
Current maturities of long-term debt, net
 104,664
 247
 
 104,911
Short-term borrowings55,100
 10,000
 
 
 65,100
Payables to affiliates17
 488
 24,948
 (25,453) 
Accounts payable
 92,310
 3,270
 
 95,580
Accrued expenses and other liabilities107
 53,655
 1,813
 
 55,575
Total current liabilities55,224
 261,117
 30,278
 (25,453) 321,166
Unamortized investment tax credits
 1,649
 
 
 1,649
Deferred income taxes1,376
 210,052
 1,648
 (43) 213,033
Pension and postretirement benefits other than pensions
 193,538
 
 
 193,538
Regulatory and other liabilities(31) 250,720
 5,817
 16
 256,522
Advances for construction
 185,843
 499
 
 186,342
Contributions in aid of construction
 193,411
 31,859
 
 225,270
TOTAL CAPITALIZATION AND LIABILITIES$786,726
 $2,665,114
 $177,605
 $(791,741) $2,837,704

 
Parent
Company
 Cal Water 
All Other
Subsidiaries
 
Consolidating
Adjustments
 Consolidated
ASSETS 
  
  
  
  
Utility plant: 
  
  
  
  
Utility plant$1,321
 $2,771,259
 $204,795
 $(7,196) $2,970,179
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization(919) (868,762) (54,543) 2,010
 (922,214)
Net utility plant402
 1,902,497
 150,252
 (5,186) 2,047,965
Current assets: 
  
  
  
  
Cash and cash equivalents4,728
 80,940
 9,108
 
 94,776
Receivables and unbilled revenue
 110,928
 4,526
 
 115,454
Receivables from affiliates19,952
 4,093
 43
 (24,088) 
Other current assets80
 16,569
 994
 
 17,643
Total current assets24,760
 212,530
 14,671
 (24,088) 227,873
Other assets: 
  
  
  
  
Regulatory assets
 397,333
 3,814
 
 401,147
Investments in affiliates698,690
 
 
 (698,690) 
Long-term affiliate notes receivable26,441
 
 
 (26,441) 
Other assets192
 59,581
 3,822
 (205) 63,390
Total other assets725,323
 456,914
 7,636
 (725,336) 464,537
TOTAL ASSETS$750,485
 $2,571,941
 $172,559
 $(754,610) $2,740,375
CAPITALIZATION AND LIABILITIES 
  
  
  
  
Capitalization: 
  
  
  
  
Common stockholders’ equity$693,462
 $626,300
 77,647
 $(703,947) $693,462
Affiliate long-term debt
 
 26,441
 (26,441) 
Long-term debt, less current maturities
 514,952
 841
 
 515,793
Total capitalization693,462
 1,141,252
 104,929
 (730,388) 1,209,255
Current liabilities: 
  
  
  
  
Current maturities of long-term debt
 15,598
 322
 
 15,920
Short-term borrowings55,100
 220,000
 
 
 275,100
Payables to affiliates
 580
 23,508
 (24,088) 
Accounts payable
 90,561
 3,394
 
 93,955
Accrued expenses and other liabilities271
 104,002
 1,711
 
 105,984
Total current liabilities55,371
 430,741
 28,935
 (24,088) 490,959
Unamortized investment tax credits
 1,724
 
 
 1,724
Deferred income taxes1,652
 189,004
 2,424
 (134) 192,946
Pension and postretirement benefits other than pensions
 252,141
 
 
 252,141
Regulatory and other liabilities
 220,779
 3,348
 
 224,127
Advances for construction
 181,979
 523
 
 182,502
Contributions in aid of construction
 154,321
 32,400
 
 186,721
TOTAL CAPITALIZATION AND LIABILITIES$750,485
 $2,571,941
 $172,559
 $(754,610) $2,740,375



CALIFORNIA WATER SERVICE GROUP
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF INCOME
For the three months ended September 30, 20182019
(In thousands)
 
Parent
Company
 Cal Water 
All Other
Subsidiaries
 
Consolidating
Adjustments
 Consolidated
Parent
Company
 Cal Water 
All Other
Subsidiaries
 
Consolidating
Adjustments
 Consolidated
Operating revenue$
 $206,390
 $12,593
 $
 $218,983
$
 $219,261
 $13,276
 $
 $232,537
Operating expenses: 
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
Operations: 
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
Water production costs
 76,317
 2,501
 
 78,818

 78,048
 2,520
 
 80,568
Administrative and general
 23,878
 2,615
 
 26,493

 24,498
 2,281
 
 26,779
Other operations
 20,271
 1,816
 (144) 21,943

 22,872
 1,825
 (147) 24,550
Maintenance
 6,538
 230
 
 6,768

 6,823
 242
 
 7,065
Depreciation and amortization23
 19,632
 1,376
 (22) 21,009
23
 20,770
 1,501
 (21) 22,273
Income tax (benefit) expense(142) 9,911
 1,271
 222
 11,262
(132) 11,332
 779
 215
 12,194
Property and other taxes
 6,205
 937
 
 7,142

 6,620
 921
 
 7,541
Total operating (income) expenses(119) 162,752
 10,746
 56
 173,435
(109) 170,963
 10,069
 47
 180,970
Net operating income119
 43,638
 1,847
 (56) 45,548
109
 48,298
 3,207
 (47) 51,567
Other income and expenses: 
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
Non-regulated revenue628
 4,589
 259
 (773) 4,703
599
 3,865
 399
 (745) 4,118
Non-regulated expenses
 (4,675) (222) 
 (4,897)
 (3,907) (444) 
 (4,351)
Other components of net periodic benefit cost
 (1,834) (141) 
 (1,975)
 (1,784) (73) 
 (1,857)
Allowance for equity funds used during construction
 1,023
 
 
 1,023

 1,868
 
 
 1,868
Income tax (expense) benefit on other income and expenses(176) 252
 13
 216
 305
(168) 268
 22
 208
 330
Net other income (loss)452
 (645) (91) (557) (841)431
 310
 (96) (537) 108
Interest: 
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
Interest expense486
 10,443
 574
 (628) 10,875
450
 9,820
 608
 (599) 10,279
Allowance for borrowed funds used during construction
 (522) (38) 
 (560)
 (954) (74) 
 (1,028)
Net interest expense486
 9,921
 536
 (628) 10,315
450
 8,866
 534
 (599) 9,251
Equity earnings of subsidiaries34,307
 
 
 (34,307) 
42,334
 
 
 (42,334) 
Net income$34,392
 $33,072
 $1,220
 $(34,292) $34,392
$42,424
 $39,742
 $2,577
 $(42,319) $42,424

CALIFORNIA WATER SERVICE GROUP
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF INCOME
For the three months ended September 30, 20172018
(In thousands)
 
 
Parent
Company
 Cal Water 
All Other
Subsidiaries
 
Consolidating
Adjustments
 Consolidated
Operating revenue$
 $208,695
 $12,593
 $
 $221,288
Operating expenses: 
  
  
  
  
Operations: 
  
  
  
  
Water production costs
 76,317
 2,501
 
 78,818
Administrative and general
 23,878
 2,615
 
 26,493
Other operations
 20,271
 1,816
 (144) 21,943
Maintenance
 6,538
 230
 
 6,768
Depreciation and amortization23
 19,632
 1,376
 (22) 21,009
Income tax (benefit) expense(142) 10,435
 1,271
 222
 11,786
Property and other taxes
 6,205
 937
 
 7,142
Total operating (income) expenses(119) 163,276
 10,746
 56
 173,959
Net operating income119
 45,419
 1,847
 (56) 47,329
Other income and expenses: 
  
  
  
  
Non-regulated revenue628
 4,589
 259
 (773) 4,703
Non-regulated expenses
 (4,675) (222) 
 (4,897)
Other components of net periodic benefit cost
 (1,834) (141) 
 (1,975)
Allowance for equity funds used during construction
 1,023
 
 
 1,023
Income tax (expense) benefit on other income and expenses(176) 252
 13
 216
 305
Net other income (loss)452
 (645) (91) (557) (841)
Interest: 
  
  
  
  
Interest expense486
 10,443
 574
 (628) 10,875
Allowance for borrowed funds used during construction
 (522) (38) 
 (560)
Net interest expense486
 9,921
 536
 (628) 10,315
Equity earnings of subsidiaries36,088
 
 
 (36,088) 
Net income$36,173
 $34,853
 $1,220
 $(36,073) $36,173

 
Parent
Company
 Cal Water 
All Other
Subsidiaries
 
Consolidating
Adjustments
 Consolidated
Operating revenue$
 $199,002
 $12,729
 $
 $211,731
Operating expenses: 
  
  
  
  
Operations: 
  
  
  
  
Water production costs
 73,061
 2,200
 
 75,261
Administrative and general
 20,352
 2,397
 
 22,749
Other operations
 18,979
 2,356
 (127) 21,208
Maintenance
 5,729
 328
 
 6,057
Depreciation and amortization21
 18,115
 1,117
 (22) 19,231
Income tax (benefit) expense(136) 17,009
 1,080
 266
 18,219
Property and other taxes
 5,680
 864
 
 6,544
Total operating (income) expenses(115) 158,925
 10,342
 117
 169,269
Net operating income115
 40,077
 2,387
 (117) 42,462
Other income and expenses: 
  
  
  
  
Non-regulated revenue505
 3,218
 450
 (631) 3,542
Non-regulated expenses
 (2,151) (425) 
 (2,576)
Other components of net periodic benefit cost
 (2,010) (127) 
 (2,137)
Allowance for equity funds used during construction
 1,105
 
 
 1,105
Income tax (expense) benefit on other income and expenses(206) (66) 45
 257
 30
Net other income (loss)299
 96
 (57) (374) (36)
Interest: 
  
  
  
  
Interest expense313
 8,951
 525
 (505) 9,284
Allowance for borrowed funds used during construction
 (684) (23) 
 (707)
Net interest expense313
 8,267
 502
 (505) 8,577
Equity earnings of subsidiaries33,748
 
 
 (33,748) 
Net income$33,849
 $31,906
 $1,828
 $(33,734) $33,849



CALIFORNIA WATER SERVICE GROUP
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF INCOME
For the nine months ended September 30, 20182019
(In thousands)
 
Parent
Company
 Cal Water 
All Other
Subsidiaries
 
Consolidating
Adjustments
 Consolidated
Parent
Company
 Cal Water 
All Other
Subsidiaries
 
Consolidating
Adjustments
 Consolidated
Operating revenue$
 $492,256
 $31,606
 $
 $523,862
$
 $502,785
 $34,894
 $
 $537,679
Operating expenses: 
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
Operations: 
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
Water production costs
 185,149
 6,648
 
 191,797

 183,617
 7,178
 
 190,795
Administrative and general
 69,531
 7,664
 
 77,195
23
 73,908
 7,379
 
 81,310
Other operations
 55,626
 5,117
 (436) 60,307

 59,851
 5,499
 (437) 64,913
Maintenance
 16,974
 622
 
 17,596

 18,469
 743
 
 19,212
Depreciation and amortization70
 58,909
 3,763
 (65) 62,677
70
 62,471
 4,488
 (62) 66,967
Income tax (benefit) expense(342) 13,511
 1,591
 620
 15,380
(411) 12,019
 1,265
 651
 13,524
Property and other taxes
 17,894
 2,359
 
 20,253

 19,431
 2,471
 
 21,902
Total operating (income) expenses(272) 417,594
 27,764
 119
 445,205
(318) 429,766
 29,023
 152
 458,623
Net operating income272
 74,662
 3,842
 (119) 78,657
318
 73,019
 5,871
 (152) 79,056
Other income and expenses: 
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
Non-regulated revenue1,716
 13,572
 831
 (2,152) 13,967
1,826
 13,374
 1,212
 (2,263) 14,149
Non-regulated expenses
 (15,943) (506) 
 (16,449)
 (9,610) (860) 
 (10,470)
Other components of net periodic benefit cost
 (6,618) (366) 
 (6,984)
 (4,177) (131) 
 (4,308)
Allowance for equity funds used during construction
 2,644
 
 
 2,644

 5,087
 
 
 5,087
Income tax (expense) benefit on other income and expenses(480) 1,776
 (16) 602
 1,882
Net other income (loss)1,236
 (4,569) (57) (1,550) (4,940)
Income tax expense on other income and expenses(511) (1,028) (79) 633
 (985)
Net other income1,315
 3,646
 142
 (1,630) 3,473
Interest: 
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
Interest expense1,155
 29,095
 1,673
 (1,716) 30,207
1,376
 32,141
 1,841
 (1,826) 33,532
Allowance for borrowed funds used during construction
 (1,250) (109) 
 (1,359)
 (2,592) (191) 
 (2,783)
Net interest expense1,155
 27,845
 1,564
 (1,716) 28,848
1,376
 29,549
 1,650
 (1,826) 30,749
Equity earnings of subsidiaries44,516
 
 
 (44,516) 
51,523
 
 
 (51,523) 
Net income$44,869
 $42,248
 $2,221
 $(44,469) $44,869
$51,780
 $47,116
 $4,363
 $(51,479) $51,780

CALIFORNIA WATER SERVICE GROUP
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF INCOME
For the nine months ended September 30, 20172018
(In thousands)
 
 
Parent
Company
 Cal Water 
All Other
Subsidiaries
 
Consolidating
Adjustments
 Consolidated
Operating revenue$
 $499,173
 $31,606
 $
 $530,779
Operating expenses: 
  
  
  
  
Operations: 
  
  
  
  
Water production costs
 185,149
 6,648
 
 191,797
Administrative and general
 69,531
 7,664
 
 77,195
Other operations
 55,626
 5,117
 (436) 60,307
Maintenance
 16,974
 622
 
 17,596
Depreciation and amortization70
 58,909
 3,763
 (65) 62,677
Income tax (benefit) expense(342) 15,081
 1,591
 620
 16,950
Property and other taxes
 17,894
 2,359
 
 20,253
Total operating (income) expenses(272) 419,164
 27,764
 119
 446,775
Net operating income272
 80,009
 3,842
 (119) 84,004
Other income and expenses: 
  
  
  
  
Non-regulated revenue1,716
 13,572
 831
 (2,152) 13,967
Non-regulated expenses
 (15,943) (506) 
 (16,449)
Other components of net periodic benefit cost
 (6,618) (366) 
 (6,984)
Allowance for equity funds used during construction
 2,644
 
 
 2,644
Income tax (expense) benefit on other income and expenses(480) 1,776
 (16) 602
 1,882
Net other income (loss)1,236
 (4,569) (57) (1,550) (4,940)
Interest: 
  
  
  
  
Interest expense1,155
 29,095
 1,673
 (1,716) 30,207
Allowance for borrowed funds used during construction
 (1,250) (109) 
 (1,359)
Net interest expense1,155
 27,845
 1,564
 (1,716) 28,848
Equity earnings of subsidiaries49,863
 
 
 (49,863) 
Net income$50,216
 $47,595
 $2,221
 $(49,816) $50,216

 
Parent
Company
 Cal Water 
All Other
Subsidiaries
 
Consolidating
Adjustments
 Consolidated
Operating revenue$
 $473,518
 $31,381
 $
 $504,899
Operating expenses: 
  
  
  
  
Operations: 
  
  
  
  
Water production costs
 175,339
 6,121
 
 181,460
Administrative and general
 59,380
 7,528
 
 66,908
Other operations
 50,108
 5,931
 (379) 55,660
Maintenance
 16,144
 733
 
 16,877
Depreciation and amortization70
 54,328
 3,320
 (68) 57,650
Income tax (benefit) expense(362) 26,075
 1,442
 786
 27,941
Property and other taxes(4) 16,407
 2,314
 
 18,717
Total operating (income) expenses(296) 397,781
 27,389
 339
 425,213
Net operating income296
 75,737
 3,992
 (339) 79,686
Other income and expenses: 
  
  
  
  
Non-regulated revenue1,482
 9,822
 1,300
 (1,861) 10,743
Non-regulated expenses
 (5,326) (918) 
 (6,244)
Other components of net periodic benefit cost
 (6,605) (418) 
 (7,023)
Allowance for equity funds used during construction
 2,763
 
 
 2,763
Income tax expense on other income and expenses(604) (1,227) (32) 758
 (1,105)
Net other income (loss)878
 (573) (68) (1,103) (866)
Interest: 
  
  
  
  
Interest expense823
 26,216
 1,516
 (1,482) 27,073
Allowance for borrowed funds used during construction
 (1,702) (63) 
 (1,765)
Net interest expense823
 24,514
 1,453
 (1,482) 25,308
Equity earnings of subsidiaries53,161
 
 
 (53,161) 
Net income$53,512
 $50,650
 $2,471
 $(53,121) $53,512



CALIFORNIA WATER SERVICE GROUP
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
For the nine months ended September 30, 20182019
(In thousands)
 
Parent
Company
 Cal Water 
All Other
Subsidiaries
 
Consolidating
Adjustments
 Consolidated
Parent
Company
 Cal Water 
All Other
Subsidiaries
 
Consolidating
Adjustments
 Consolidated
Operating activities: 
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
Net income$44,869
 $42,248
 $2,221
 $(44,469) $44,869
$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(44,516) 
 
 44,516
 
(51,523) 
 
 51,523
 
Dividends received from affiliates27,029
 
 
 (27,029) 
28,507
 
 
 (28,507) 
Depreciation and amortization70
 60,298
 3,828
 (65) 64,131
70
 63,975
 4,539
 (62) 68,522
Changes in value of life insurance contracts
 124
 
 
 124

 (3,433) 
 
 (3,433)
Allowance for equity funds used during construction
 (2,644) 
 
 (2,644)
 (5,087) 
 
 (5,087)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities(281) 6,135
 1,178
 
 7,032
194
 (6,744) 1,509
 
 (5,041)
Other changes in noncurrent assets and liabilities2,518
 1,466
 1,989
 18
 5,991
5,239
 14,560
 1,785
 18
 21,602
Net cash provided by operating activities29,689
 107,627
 9,216
 (27,029) 119,503
34,267
 110,387
 12,196
 (28,507) 128,343
Investing activities:     
         
    
Utility plant expenditures4
 (205,218) (7,642) 
 (212,856)
 (185,883) (9,059) 
 (194,942)
Changes in affiliate advances(975) 3,198
 (269) (1,954) 
(3,199) 3,534
 (320) (15) 
Issuance of affiliate short-term borrowings(23,700) 
 
 23,700
 
(4,300) 
 
 4,300
 
Reduction of affiliates long-term debt1,224
 
 
 (1,224) 
1,462
 
 
 (1,462) 
Life insurance proceeds
 3,491
 
 
 3,491
Purchase of life insurance contracts
 (4,925) 
 
 (4,925)
 (2,216) 
 
 (2,216)
Net cash used in investing activities(23,447) (203,454) (7,911) 20,522
 (214,290)(6,037) (184,565) (9,379) 2,823
 (197,158)
Financing Activities: 
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
Short-term borrowings20,000
 121,000
 
 
 141,000

 210,000
 
 
 210,000
Repayment of short-term borrowings
 (341,000) 
 
 (341,000)
 (120,000) 
 
 (120,000)
Changes in affiliate advances
 1,129
 (3,083) 1,954
 
(17) 4,419
 (4,417) 15
 
Proceeds from affiliate short-term borrowings
 20,000
 3,700
 (23,700) 

 
 4,300
 (4,300) 
Repayment of affiliates long-term borrowings
 
 (1,224) 1,224
 

 
 (1,462) 1,462
 
Issuance of long-term debt, net of expenses
 299,383
 
 
 299,383
Issuance of long term debt, net of expenses
 398,431
 
 
 398,431
Repayment of long-term debt
 (12,299) (200) 
 (12,499)
 (401,417) (213) 
 (401,630)
Advances and contributions in aid of construction
 13,288
 342
 
 13,630

 21,176
 90
 
 21,266
Refunds of advances for construction
 (5,452) (10) 
 (5,462)
 (5,560) 
 
 (5,560)
Repurchase of common stock(1,496) 
 
 
 (1,496)(2,355) 
 
 
 (2,355)
Issuance of common stock1,278
 
 
 
 1,278
Dividends paid to non-affiliates(27,029) 
 
 
 (27,029)(28,507) 
 
 
 (28,507)
Dividends paid to affiliates
 (25,959) (1,070) 27,029
 

 (27,419) (1,088) 28,507
 
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities(8,525) 70,090
 (1,545) 6,507
 66,527
(29,601) 79,630
 (2,790) 25,684
 72,923
Change in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash(2,283) (25,737) (240) 
 (28,260)(1,371) 5,452
 27
 
 4,108
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at beginning of period4,728
 81,453
 9,171
 
 95,352
3,779
 34,238
 9,698
 
 47,715
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at end of period$2,445
 $55,716
 $8,931
 
 $67,092
$2,408
 $39,690
 $9,725
 
 $51,823

CALIFORNIA WATER SERVICE GROUP
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
For the nine months ended September 30, 20172018
(In thousands)
 
 
Parent
Company
 Cal Water 
All Other
Subsidiaries
 
Consolidating
Adjustments
 Consolidated
Operating activities: 
  
  
  
  
Net income$50,216
 $47,595
 $2,221
 $(49,816) $50,216
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: 
  
  
  
  
Equity earnings of subsidiaries(49,863) 
 
 49,863
 
Dividends received from affiliates27,029
 
 
 (27,029) 
Depreciation and amortization70
 60,298
 3,828
 (65) 64,131
Changes in value of life insurance contracts
 124
 
 
 124
Allowance for equity funds used during construction
 (2,644) 
 
 (2,644)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities(281) 6,135
 1,178
 
 7,032
Other changes in noncurrent assets and liabilities2,518
 (3,881) 1,989
 18
 644
Net cash provided by operating activities29,689
 107,627
 9,216
 (27,029) 119,503
Investing activities: 
  
  
  
  
Utility plant expenditures4
 (205,218) (7,642) 
 (212,856)
Changes in affiliate advances(975) 3,198
 (269) (1,954) 
Issuance of affiliate short-term borrowings(23,700) 
 
 23,700
 
Reduction of affiliates long-term debt1,224
 
 
 (1,224) 
Life insurance proceeds
 3,491
 
 
 3,491
Purchase of life insurance contracts
 (4,925) 
 
 (4,925)
Net cash used in investing activities(23,447) (203,454) (7,911) 20,522
 (214,290)
Financing Activities: 
  
  
  
  
Short-term borrowings20,000
 121,000
 
 
 141,000
Repayment of short-term borrowings
 (341,000) 
 
 (341,000)
Changes in affiliate advances
 1,129
 (3,083) 1,954
 
Proceeds from affiliate short-term borrowings
 20,000
 3,700
 (23,700) 
Repayment of affiliates long-term borrowings
 
 (1,224) 1,224
 
Issuance of long-term debt, net of expenses
 299,383
 
 
 299,383
Repayment of long-term debt
 (12,299) (200) 
 (12,499)
Advances and contributions in aid for construction
 13,288
 342
 
 13,630
Refunds of advances for construction
 (5,452) (10) 
 (5,462)
Repurchase of common stock(1,496) 
 
 
 (1,496)
Dividends paid to non-affiliates(27,029) 
 
 
 (27,029)
Dividends paid to affiliates
 (25,959) (1,070) 27,029
 
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities(8,525) 70,090
 (1,545) 6,507
 66,527
Change in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash(2,283) (25,737) (240) 
 (28,260)
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at beginning of period4,728
 81,453
 9,171
 
 95,352
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at end of period$2,445
 $55,716
 $8,931
 
 $67,092

 
Parent
Company
 Cal Water 
All Other
Subsidiaries
 
Consolidating
Adjustments
 Consolidated
Operating activities: 
  
  
  
  
Net income$53,512
 $50,650
 $2,471
 $(53,121) $53,512
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: 
  
  
  
  
Equity earnings of subsidiaries(53,161) 
 
 53,161
 
Dividends received from affiliates25,920
 
 
 (25,920) 
Depreciation and amortization70
 55,623
 3,392
 (69) 59,016
Changes in value of life insurance contracts
 (1,871) 
 
 (1,871)
Allowance for equity funds used during construction
 (2,763) 
 
 (2,763)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities(38) (40,941) 1,036
 
 (39,943)
Other changes in noncurrent assets and liabilities2,420
 37,125
 2,263
 29
 41,837
Net cash provided by operating activities28,723
 97,823
 9,162
 (25,920) 109,788
Investing activities: 
  
  
  
  
Utility plant expenditures(4) (175,234) (5,204) 
 (180,442)
Changes in affiliate advances(334) 2,905
 (287) (2,284) 
Issuance of affiliate short-term borrowings(2,610) 
 
 2,610
 
Reduction of affiliates long-term debt1,010
 
 
 (1,010) 
Life insurance proceeds
 1,558
 
 
 1,558
Purchase of life insurance contracts
 (3,948) 
 
 (3,948)
Net cash used in investing activities(1,938) (174,719) (5,491) (684) (182,832)
Financing Activities: 
  
  
  
  
Short-term borrowings
 185,000
 
 
 185,000
Repayment of short-term borrowings(2,000) (85,000) 
 
 (87,000)
Changes in affiliate advances
 718
 (3,002) 2,284
 
Proceeds from affiliate short-term borrowings
 
 2,610
 (2,610) 
Repayment of affiliates long-term borrowings
 
 (1,010) 1,010
 
Repayment of long-term debt
 (2,336) (461) 
 (2,797)
Advances and contributions in aid for construction
 14,900
 64
 
 14,964
Refunds of advances for construction
 (6,311) (5) 
 (6,316)
Repurchase of common stock(1,359) 
 
 
 (1,359)
Dividends paid to non-affiliates(25,920) 
 
 
 (25,920)
Dividends paid to affiliates
 (24,760) (1,160) 25,920
 
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities(29,279) 82,211
 (2,964) 26,604
 76,572
Change in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash(2,494) 5,315
 707
 
 3,528
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at beginning of period5,216
 13,595
 7,124
 
 25,935
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at end of period$2,722
 $18,910
 $7,831
 
 $29,463


Note 13. Immaterial Restatement of Prior Period Financial Statements
Subsequent to the issuance of the Company's Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, the Company identified an immaterial computational error related to the amount of authorized revenue recorded pursuant to the Company's pension and health care cost recovery balancing accounts. In accordance with the 2015 GRC, the Company adjusts the revenue and corresponding balancing accounts quarterly to reflect actual pension and health care costs, subject to certain limitations prescribed by the 2015 GRC. The error does not impact the billings to customers or the cash collected from customers in this GRC period, which ends on December 31, 2019. As provided for in the 2015 GRC, the amounts included in the balancing account will be recovered from or refunded to customers during the next GRC period.
The Company corrected the error in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018. The Company believes the correction of the error is immaterial to the previously issued Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
The corrections to the Company's Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 were as follows:
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income
 For the three months ended September 30, 2018
 As Previously Reported Corrections As Corrected
 (In thousands, except per share data)
Operating revenue$218,983
 $2,305
 $221,288
Operating expenses: 
  
  
Income taxes11,262
 524
 11,786
Total operating expenses173,435
 524
 173,959
Net operating income45,548
 1,781
 47,329
Net income$34,392
 $1,781
 $36,173
Earnings per share: 
  
  
Basic$0.72
 $0.03
 $0.75
Diluted$0.72
 $0.03
 $0.75
 For the nine months ended September 30, 2018
 As Previously Reported Corrections As Corrected
 (In thousands, except per share data)
Operating revenue$523,862
 $6,917
 $530,779
Operating expenses: 
  
  
Income taxes15,380
 1,570
 16,950
Total operating expenses445,205
 1,570
 446,775
Net operating income78,657
 5,347
 84,004
Net income$44,869
 $5,347
 $50,216
Earnings per share: 
  
  
Basic$0.93
 $0.11
 $1.04
Diluted$0.93
 $0.11
 $1.04




The corrections to the Company's retained earnings and total stockholders’ equity as of January 1, 2018, March 31, 2018, June 30, 2018, and September 30, 2018 were as follows:
 January 1, 2018
 As Previously Reported Corrections As Corrected
 (In thousands)
Retained earnings$356,753
 $5,759
 $362,512
Total common stockholders' equity693,462
 5,759
 699,221
 March 31, 2018
 As Previously Reported Corrections As Corrected
 (In thousands)
Retained earnings$345,205
 $7,542
 $352,747
Total common stockholders' equity681,311
 7,542
 688,853
 June 30, 2018
 As Previously Reported Corrections As Corrected
 (In thousands)
Retained earnings$349,213
 $9,325
 $358,538
Total common stockholders' equity685,932
 9,325
 695,257
 September 30, 2018
 As Previously Reported Corrections As Corrected
 (In thousands)
Retained earnings$374,593
 $11,106
 $385,699
Total common stockholders' equity712,034
 11,106
 723,140
The corrections to the Company's Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 were as follows:
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
 For the nine months ended September 30, 2018
 As Previously Reported Corrections As Corrected
 (In thousands)
Operating activities: 
    
Net income$44,869
 $5,347
 $50,216
Other changes in noncurrent assets and liabilities5,991
 (5,347) 644
Net cash provided by operating activities$119,503
 $
 $119,503


Note 14. Subsequent Event
California GRC filing
Subsequent to the issuance of the Company's Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, Cal Water jointly filed a formal settlement agreement in its 2018 GRC with the Public Advocates Office of the CPUC covering the majority of open matters in the case on October 8, 2019. The largest component of the GRC is Cal Water’s Infrastructure Improvement Plan for 2019-2021. The settlement details investment plans that Cal Water and the Public Advocates Office agree should be made to Cal Water’s water infrastructure to continue providing safe, reliable water service to Cal Water customers and communities. The CPUC will consider, but is not required to adopt, the settlement agreement. If the CPUC approves the settlement agreement, Cal Water would be authorized to include in rates $609.0 million to $628.0 million of new projects throughout the state in 2019 to 2021, along with approximately $200.0 million for completion of additional projects begun in 2018 and prior periods. Included in these figures are $148.0 million of advice letter authorizations, which would not be included in rates until related projects are completed. Cal Water anticipates that if the settlement were adopted, it would plan to make capital investments of approximately $809.0 million to $828.0 million in the 2019-2021 period. The settlement proposes, in part, an average water main replacement rate of 0.76% annually company-wide by 2021, with higher replacement rates in some areas. A final decision on the case is expected in late 2019, with new rates going into effect in January of 2020. Cal Water previously filed a request for interim rates beginning January 1, 2020 in the event a final decision is unexpectedly delayed.
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. 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:
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 relationrelating to our water systems;
changes in regulatory commissions’ policies and procedures;
the timeliness of regulatory commissions’ actions concerning rate relief;relief and other actions;
increased risk of inverse condemnation losses as a result of climate conditions;
inability to renew leases to operate city 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;interruptions, especially as a result of Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) programs for the 2019 fire season as we further develop approaches to manage that risk;
housing and customer growth trends;

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,acts;
the adequacy of our efforts to mitigate physical and cyber security risk and threats;
the ability of our enterprise risk management processes to identify or apprehension about the possible future occurrences of acts of this type;address risks adequately;
labor relations matters as we negotiate with the unions;
restrictive covenants in or changes to the credit ratings on current or future debt that could increase financing costs or affect the ability to borrow, make payments on debt, or pay dividends;
changes in customer water use patterns and the effects of conservation;
the impact of weather, climate, natural disasters, and diseases on water quality, water availability, water sales and operating results;results and the adequacy of our emergency preparedness; and
the risks set forth in “Risk Factors” included in the Company's annual reportAnnual Report on 2017 Form 10-K.10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018.
 
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 2017Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K.10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018. They include:
revenue recognition;
regulated utility accounting;
income taxes;
pension and postretirement health care benefits;
For the nine month periodmonths ended September 30, 2018, except for changes to revenue recognition from the adoption of ASC 606 (see Note 2),2019, 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.
RESULTS OF THIRD QUARTER 20182019 OPERATIONS
COMPARED TO THIRD QUARTER 20172018 OPERATIONS
Dollar amounts in thousands unless otherwise stated
 
Overview

As discussed further in Note 13, the Company corrected an immaterial computational error that understated revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2018.
Net income for the three month periodmonths ended September 30, 2018,2019 was $34.4$42.4 million or $0.72$0.88 earnings per diluted common share, compared to net income of $33.8$36.2 million or $0.70$0.75 earnings per diluted common share for the three month periodmonths ended September 30, 2017. 2018.

The $0.6$6.2 million increase in net income was driven primarily by aggregatedue to general rate increases of $4.4$6.1 million, reflecting general rate increases net of the cost of capital decision for Cal Water. Other factors increasing net income included a $1.1$5.5 million reduction in write-offs of unrecoverable capital costs and an increase in tax benefitsunbilled revenue accrual, a reduction of $0.9 million. The increases to net income$1.3 million in business development expenses, and $0.8 million increase in allowance for equity funds used during construction. These factors were partially offset by increases in operating expenses of $1.8$1.3 million infor depreciation and amortization, $1.5$1.0 million in employee wages, $1.3$0.8 million in new business expenses,costs attributable to electric utilities’ PSPS programs and $1.7wildfire management, and $0.4 million in interest expense.property taxes.
Unbilled revenue accrual is outside the Company’s immediate control. The quarter’s increase in unbilled revenue mirrored the accrual reduction from the first two quarters of 2019. Also outside the Company’s control this quarter was a $0.4 million decrease in unrealized gain on certain benefit plan investments. The change in the Company’s unbilled revenue accrual was relatively consistent with the previous year.
Operating Revenue
Operating revenue increased $7.3$11.2 million, or 3.4%5.1%, to $219.0$232.5 million in the third quarter of 20182019 as compared to the third quarter of 2017.2018. The factors that impacted the operating revenue for the third quarter of 20182019 as compared to the third quarter of 20172018 are as follows:
Net change due to rate changes, usage, and other (1)$4,282
$12,874
MCBA Revenue (2)1,161
(395)
Other balancing account revenue (3)342
1,454
Deferral of revenue (4)1,467
(2,684)
Net operating revenue increase$7,252
$11,249


1.The net change due to rate changes, usage, and other in the above table was mainly driven by rate increases of $3.4 million and a $0.5$5.5 million increase in accrued unbilled revenue. The components of the rate increases are as follows:
General rate case34
761
Escalation rate increases5,196
5,218
Purchased water and pump tax offsets1,891
1,743
Rate base offsets1,038
162
Tax cuts jobs act(2,969)
Cost of capital(1,823)
Total increase in rates$3,367
$7,884


2.The MCBA revenue increasedecrease resulted from an increasea decrease in actual water production costs relative to adopted water production costs in the third quarter of 20182019 as compared to the third quarter of 2017.2018. The actual water production costs increasedrelative to adopted decreased as a result of an increasea decrease in customer consumption in the third quarter of 20182019 as compared to the third quarter of 2017.2018. As required by the MCBA mechanism, the increasedecrease in actual water production costs relative to adopted water production costs in California also decreased operating revenue for the same amount.

3.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. The increase in revenue was mainly due to an increase in actual conservation expenses relative to adopted in the third quarter of 2019 as compared to the third quarter of 2018, which was partially offset by a decrease in actual pension and health care expenses relative to adopted in the third quarter of 2019 as compared to the third quarter of 2018.

4.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 increased in the third quarter of 2019 as compared to the third quarter of 2018 due to a decline in actual customer usage relative to adopted customer usage in the third quarter of 2019 as compared to the third quarter of 2018.

Total Operating Expenses
Total operating expenses increased $7.0 million, or 4.0%, to $181.0 million in the third quarter of 2019, as compared to $174.0 million in the third quarter of 2018.

Water production costs consists of purchased water, purchased power, and pump taxes. It represents the largest component of total operating expenses, accounting for approximately 44.5% of total operating expenses in the third quarter of 2019, as compared to 45.3% of total operating expenses in the third quarter of 2018. Water production costs increased 2.2% in the third quarter of 2019 as compared to the same period last year mainly due to increased rates from our purchased water wholesalers.
Sources of water as a percent of total water production are listed in the following table:
 Three Months Ended September 30
 2019 2018
Well production44% 47%
Purchased51% 49%
Surface5% 4%
Total100% 100%
The components of water production costs are shown in the table below:
 Three Months Ended September 30
 2019 2018 Change
Purchased water$66,483
 $64,578
 $1,905
Purchased power10,633
 10,488
 145
Pump taxes3,452
 3,752
 (300)
Total$80,568
 $78,818
 $1,750

Administrative and general and other operations expenses increased $2.9 million to $51.3 million in the third quarter of 2019, primarily due to increases of $2.2 million in conservation program costs, $0.9 million of outside services, $0.7 million of GRC settlement and asset impairment costs, $0.6 million in employee wages, and $0.5 million of costs attributable to electric utilities’ PSPS programs and wildfire management, which were partially offset by a $2.2 million deferral of costs associated with deferred revenues, and a $1.0 million decrease in health care 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 in rates through a balancing account authorized in the 2015 GRC, such that revenues are recovered up to 85% of the variance between adopted and recorded expenses. At September 30, 2019, there were 1,198 employees and at September 30, 2018, there were 1,176 employees. 

Maintenance expense increased $0.3 million, or 4.4%, to $7.1 million in the third quarter of 2019, as compared to $6.8 million in the third quarter of 2018, mostly due to increased costs of $0.3 million for wildfire management.
Depreciation and amortization expense increased $1.3 million, or 6.0%, to $22.3 million in the third quarter of 2019, as compared to $21.0 million in the third quarter of 2018, primarily due to capital additions.

Income taxes increased $0.4 million, or 3.5%, to $12.2 million in the third quarter of 2019, as compared to $11.8 million in the third quarter of 2018, due to an increase in operating income. The Company’s estimated combined effective income tax rate for 2019 is 22%.
Property and other taxes increased $0.4 million, or 5.6%, to $7.5 million in the third quarter of 2019, as compared to $7.1 million in the third quarter of 2018, mostly due to an increase in assessed property values.
Other Income and Expenses
Net other income increased $0.9 million in the third quarter of 2019, mostly due to a $1.3 million decrease in business development expenses and a $0.8 million increase in allowance for equity funds used during construction which was partially offset by the non-recurrence of a $0.5 million benefit from Company-owned life insurance which occurred in 2018 and a $0.4 million decrease in unrealized gain on certain benefit plan investments.



Interest Expense
Net interest expense decreased $1.0 million, or 10.3%, to $9.3 million in the third quarter of 2019, as compared to $10.3 million in the third quarter of 2018. The decrease was due primarily to an increase in capitalized interest and reduced interest rates resulting from the refinancing of $300.0 million of first mortgage bonds in 2019.
RESULTS OF THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2019 OPERATIONS
COMPARED TO THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2018 OPERATIONS
Dollar amounts in thousands unless otherwise stated 
Overview
As discussed further in Note 13, the Company corrected an immaterial computational error that understated revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2018.
Net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 was $51.8 million or $1.08 earnings per diluted common share, compared to net income of $50.2 million or $1.04 earnings per diluted common share for the nine months ended September 30, 2018.
The $1.6 million increase in net income was driven primarily by $15.2 million of general rate increases, a $5.0 million reduction in business development expenses, a $3.6 million increase in unrealized income from certain benefit plan investments due to market conditions, and a $2.4 million increase in allowance for equity funds used during construction. These were partially offset by increased operating expenses of $11.8 million, increased net interest expenses of $1.9 million, $1.6 million decrease in benefit from Company owned life insurance, and a $1.4 million reduction in unbilled revenue accrual.
Operating expense changes included increases of $4.3 million in depreciation and amortization, $4.2 million in employee wages, $2.7 million in outside services, $1.6 million in property taxes, and $1.1 million of costs attributable to electric utilities’ PSPS programs and wildfire management.
Operating Revenue
Operating revenue increased $6.9 million, or 1.3%, to $537.7 million in the first nine months of 2019 as compared to the first nine months of 2018. The factors that impacted the operating revenue for the first nine months of 2019 as compared to 2018 are as follows:
Net change due to rate changes, usage, and other (1)$17,388
MCBA Revenue (2)(7,313)
Other balancing account revenue (3)1,369
Deferral of revenue (4)(4,544)
Net operating revenue increase$6,900
1.The net change due to rate changes, usage, and other in the above table was mainly driven by rate increases, which was partially offset by a $1.4 million decrease in accrued unbilled revenue. The components of the rate increases are as follows: 
General rate case$1,837
Escalation rate increases12,251
Purchased water and pump tax offsets4,302
Rate base offsets1,141
Total increase in rates$19,531
2.The MCBA revenue decrease resulted from a decrease in actual water production costs relative to adopted water production costs in the first nine months of 2019 as compared to the first nine months of 2018. The actual water production costs decreased as a result of a decrease in customer consumption in the first nine months of 2019 as compared to the first nine months of 2018. As required by the MCBA mechanism, the decrease in actual water production costs relative to adopted water production costs in California also decreased operating revenue for the same amount.

3.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. The increase in revenue was mainly due to an increase in actual pension and health care expenses relative to adopted in the third quarter of 2018 as compared to the third quarter of 2017, which was partially offset by a decrease in actual conservation expenses relative to adopted in the third quarter of 2018 as compared to the third quarter of 2017.

4.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 2018 as compared to the third quarter of 2017 due to a decrease in the balancing account revenue expected to be collected beyond 24 months, which increases revenue.

Total Operating Expenses
Total operating expenses increased $4.1 million, or 2.5%, to $173.4 million in the third quarter of 2018, as compared to $169.3 million in the third quarter of 2017.
Water production costs consists of purchased water, purchased power, and pump taxes. It represents the largest component of total operating expenses, accounting for approximately 45.4% of total operating expenses in the third quarter of 2018, as compared to 44.5% of total operating expenses in the third quarter of 2017. Water production costs increased 4.7% as compared to the same period last year mainly due to an increase in water production and higher wholesaler water rates.
Sources of water as a percent of total water production are listed in the following table:
 Three Months Ended September 30
 2018 2017
Well production47% 48%
Purchased49% 48%
Surface4% 4%
Total100% 100%
The components of water production costs are shown in the table below:
 Three Months Ended September 30
 2018 2017 Change
Purchased water$64,578
 $62,041
 $2,537
Purchased power10,488
 9,658
 830
Pump taxes3,752
 3,562
 190
Total$78,818
 $75,261
 $3,557

Administrative and general and other operations expenses increased $4.4 million to $48.4 million in the third quarter of 2018, as compared to $44.0 million in the third quarter of 2017. The increase was due primarily to a $1.2 million increase in the recognition of previously deferred costs associated with the deferred operating revenue, health care cost increase of $1.2 million, employee wage cost increase of $1.0 million, and an increase in outside consulting service costs of $1.0 million, which was partially offset by a $1.1 million reduction in write-offs of unrecoverable capital costs. Employee and retiree medical expenses are recovered in rates through a balancing account authorized in the 2015 GRC, such that revenues are recovered up to 85% of the variance between adopted and recorded expenses. At September 30, 2018, there were 1,176 employees and at September 30, 2017, there were 1,157 employees. 


Maintenance expense increased $0.7 million, or 11.7%, to $6.8 million in the third quarter of 2018, as compared to $6.1 million in the third quarter of 2017, mostly due to increases in transmission and distribution mains and services repairs.
Depreciation and amortization expense increased $1.8 million, or 9.2%, to $21.0 million in the third quarter of 2018, as compared to $19.2 million in the third quarter of 2017, due to capital additions.

Income taxes decreased $6.9 million, to $11.3 million in the third quarter of 2018, as compared to $18.2 million in the third quarter of 2017. The decrease was mainly due to the federal income tax rate reduction from 35% to 21%, effective January 1, 2018, an increase in tax benefits of $0.9 million, and a decrease in pre-tax income.
Property and other taxes increased $0.6 million, or 9.1%, to $7.1 million in the third quarter of 2018, as compared to $6.5 million in the third quarter of 2017, mostly due to an increase in assessed property values and increased local franchise taxes.
Other Income and Expenses
Net other loss increased $0.8 million as compared to the same quarter of 2017, principally due to a $1.3 million increase in new business expenses.
Interest Expense
Net interest expense increased $1.7 million, or 20.3%, to $10.3 million in the third quarter of 2018, as compared to $8.6 million in the third quarter of 2017. The increase was due primarily to an increase in financing for capital investments as well as increased short-term interest rates.
RESULTS OF THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2018 OPERATIONS
COMPARED TO THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2017 OPERATIONS
Dollar amounts in thousands unless otherwise stated 
Overview
Net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2018, was $44.9 million or $0.93 per diluted common share compared to a net income of $53.5 million or $1.11 per diluted common share for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, a decrease of $8.6 million. The decrease in net income was primarily the result of $5.1 million increase in new business expenses, increase of $5.0 million in depreciation and amortization, employee wage increases of $4.0 million and an increase of $3.5 million interest expense. In addition, there were other changes driven primarily by factors outside the Company’s immediate control that decreased net income, including a $2.7 million reduction in unbilled revenue accrual and a net $0.5 million decrease in the valuation of our benefit plan investments due to changes in market valuation offset by life insurance proceeds. These decreases to net income were partially offset by aggregate rate increases of $10.8 million, reflecting general rate increases net of the cost of capital decision for Cal Water.
Operating Revenue
Operating revenue increased $19.0 million, or 3.8%, to $523.9 million in the first nine months of 2018 as compared to the first nine months of 2017. The factors that impacted the operating revenue for the first nine months of 2018 as compared to 2017 are as follows:
Net change due to rate changes, usage, and other (1)$6,440
MCBA Revenue (2)4,836
Other balancing account revenue (3)2,566
Deferral of revenue (4)5,121
Net operating revenue increase$18,963
1.The net change due to rate changes, usage, and other in the above table was mainly driven by rate increases, which was partially offset by a $2.7 million decrease in accrued unbilled revenue. The components of the rate increases are as follows: 

General rate case$1,805
Escalation rate increases11,567
Purchased water and pump tax offsets4,306
Rate base offsets2,128
Tax cuts jobs act *(7,967)
Cost of capital *(4,657)
Total increase in rates$7,182
* Customer rates were reduced beginning July 1, 2018. Includes revenue reduction recorded as regulatory liability for the first six months of the year.
2.The MCBA revenue increase resulted from an increase in actual water production costs relative to adopted water production costs in the first nine months of 2018 as compared to the first nine months of 2017. The actual water production costs increased as a result of an increase in customer consumption in the first nine months of 2018 as compared to the first nine months of 2017. 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.
3.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. The increase in revenue was mainly due to an increase in actual health care and pension expenses relative to adopted in the first nine months of 2018 as compared to the first nine months of 2017, which was partially offset by a decrease in actual conservation expenses relative to adopted in the first nine months of 20182019 as compared to the first nine months of 2017.2018, which was partially offset by a decrease in actual pension expenses relative to adopted in the first nine months of 2019 as compared to the first nine months of 2018.
4.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 decreasedincreased in the first nine months of 20182019 as compared to the first nine months of 20172018 due to decreasea decline in actual customer usage relative to adopted customer usage in the balancing account revenue expectedfirst nine months of 2019 as compared to be collected beyond 24the first nine months which increases revenue.of 2018.
Total Operating Expenses
Total operating expenses increased $20.0$11.8 million, or 4.7%2.7%, to $445.2$458.6 million in the first nine months of 2018,2019, as compared to $425.2$446.8 million in the first nine months of 2017.2018.
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%41.6% of total operating expenses in the first nine months of 2018,2019, as compared to 42.7%42.9% of total operating expenses in the first nine months of 2017.2018. Water production costs increased 5.7%decreased 0.5% in the first nine months of 2019 as compared to the same period last year mainly due to an increasea decrease in wholesalercustomer usage offset by increased rates and an increase of 5.7% infrom our purchased water production.wholesalers.
Sources of water as a percent of total water production are listed in the following table:
 Nine Months Ended September 30
 2018 2017
Well production47% 48%
Purchased49% 48%
Surface4% 4%
Total100% 100%






 Nine Months Ended September 30
 2019 2018
Well production45% 47%
Purchased50% 49%
Surface5% 4%
Total100% 100%
The components of water production costs are shown in the table below:
Nine Months Ended September 30Nine Months Ended September 30
2018 2017 Change2019 2018 Change
Purchased water$157,062
 $149,731
 $7,331
$158,369
 $157,062
 $1,307
Purchased power23,830
 22,168
 1,662
23,734
 23,830
 (96)
Pump taxes10,905
 9,561
 1,344
8,692
 10,905
 (2,213)
Total$191,797
 $181,460
 $10,337
$190,795
 $191,797
 $(1,002)
Administrative and general and other operations expenses increased $14.9$8.7 million, or 12.2%6.3%, to $146.2 million in the first nine months of 2019, as compared to $137.5 million in the first nine months of 2018, as compared to $122.6 million in the first nine months of 2017.2018. The increase was due primarily to increases of $4.4 million in conservation program costs, $3.5 million in employee wages, $2.7 million of outside services, $1.3 million of software maintenance costs, $0.8 million of costs attributable to electric utilities’ PSPS programs and wildfire management, which were partially offset by a $4.6reduction of $3.8 million increase in the recognition of previously deferred costs associated with the deferred operating revenue and a $1.6 million decrease in employee pension benefit cost increase of $2.8 million,and retiree medical costs. Changes in employee wage cost increase of $3.2 million, employee health care cost increase of $1.9 million, additional uninsured loss expenses of $1.5 million,pension benefits and outside consulting service cost increase of $1.3 million. Employee pension benefit expenses are fully recoveredwater 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 rates and are tracked inbalancing accounts for future recovery, creating a balancing account, such that revenues are recovered on a dollar-for-dollar basis upcorresponding change to the amounts authorized in the 2015 GRC.revenue. Employee and retiree medical expenses are recovered in rates through a balancing account authorized in the 2015 GRC, such that revenues are recovered up to 85% of the variance between adopted and recorded expenses.
Maintenance expense increased $0.7$1.6 million, or 4.3%9.2%, to $19.2 million in the first nine months of 2019, as compared to $17.6 million in the first nine months of 2018, as comparedmostly due to $16.9repair cost increases in reservoirs, tanks, and structures and $0.3 million of costs for wildfire management.
Depreciation and amortization expense increased $4.3 million, or 6.8%, to $67.0 million in the first nine months of 2017, mostly due to increases in transmission and distribution mains and services repairs.
Depreciation and amortization expense increased $5.0 million, or 8.7%,2019, as compared to $62.7 million in the first nine months of 2018, as comparedmostly due to $57.7capital additions.

Income taxes decreased $3.5 million, or 20.22%, to $13.5 million in the first nine months of 2017, mostly due2019, as compared to capital additions.
Income taxes decreased $12.5$17.0 million or 45.0%, to $15.4 million in the first nine months of 2018, as compared to $27.9 millionin the first nine months of 2017.2018. The decrease was mainly due to the federal income tax rate reduction from 35% to 21%, effective January 1, 2018, an increase in tax benefits of $0.9 million, and a decrease in pre-taxoperating income. The Company’s estimated combined effective income tax rate for 20182019 is in the range from 22% to 25%22.0%.
Property and other taxes increased $1.6 million, or 8.2%8.1%, to $21.9 million in the first nine months of 2019, as compared to $20.3 million in the first nine months of 2018, as compared to $18.7 million in the first nine months of 2017, due primarily to an increase in assessed property values and increased local franchise taxes.values.
Other Income and Expenses
Net other lossincome increased $4.0$8.4 million to $3.5 million in the first nine months of 2019, as compared to a net other loss of $4.9 million in the first nine months of 2018, as compared to net other loss of $0.9 million in the first nine months of 2017, due primarily to a $5.1$5.0 million decrease of business development expenses, a $3.6 million increase of new business expenses, a $2.0 million reduction in the unrealized incomegain from certain benefit plan investments due to market conditions, and a $0.6$2.4 million decreaseincrease in gain on sale of property thatallowance for equity funds used during construction, which was partially offset by a $1.0$1.6 million decrease in benefit from Company-owned life insurance.
Interest Expense
Net interest expense increased $3.5$1.9 million, or 14.0%6.6%, to $30.7 million in the first nine months of 2019, as compared to $28.8 million in the first nine months of 2018, as compared to $25.3 million in the first nine months of 2017.2018. The increase was due primarily to an increase in financing for capital investments as well as increased short-term interest rates.and operations.

REGULATORY MATTERS
20182019 California Regulatory Activity
California GRC filing
On July 2, 2018,October 8, 2019, Cal Water jointly filed a formal settlement agreement for its 2018 GRC requesting newwith the Public Advocates Office of the CPUC covering the majority of open matters in the case. The largest component of the GRC is Cal Water’s Infrastructure Improvement Plan for 2019-2021. The settlement details investment plans that Cal Water and the Public Advocates Office agree should be made to Cal Water’s water infrastructure investments of $828.5 million in accordance with the rate case plan for all of its regulated operating districts for the years 2019, 2020,to continue providing safe, reliable water service to Cal Water customers and 2021.communities. The CPUC will evaluateconsider, but is not required to adopt, the settlement agreement. If the CPUC approves the settlement agreement, Cal Water would be authorized to include in rates $609.0 million to $628.0 million of new water infrastructure improvement investmentsprojects throughout the state in 2019 to 2021, along with operating budgetsapproximately $200.0 million for completion of additional projects begun in 2018 and prior periods. Included in these figures are $148.0 million of advice letter authorizations, which would not be included in rates until related projects are completed. Cal Water anticipates that if the settlement were adopted, it would plan to establishmake capital investments of approximately $809.0 million to $828.0 million in the 2019-2021 period. The settlement proposes, in part, an average water main replacement rate of 0.76% annually company-wide by 2021, with higher replacement rates that reflectin some areas. A final decision on the actual costcase is expected in late 2019, with new rates going into effect in January of service. The required filing begins an approximately 18-month review process, with any changes in customer rates expected to become effective in 2020. Cal Water has proposed topreviously filed a request for interim rates beginning January 1, 2020 in the CPUC to increase revenues by $50.7 million, or 7.6%, in 2020; $31.5 million, or 4.4%, in 2021; and $33.0 million, or 4.4%, in 2022 as compared toevent a final decision is unexpectedly delayed.
City of Hawthorne GRC filing
Cal Water operates the last authorized revenue. In 75%City of Cal Water’s service areas, the utility is proposing infrastructure improvements that will cost the typical residential customer less than $5 per month, and in 90% of service areas, the proposed increase is less than $6 per month. More than half of Cal Water’s proposed $828.5 million of new infrastructure improvements relate to its transmission and distribution pipeline replacement program, and all are necessary to enhance reliability, augment water supply, and upgrade agingHawthorne’s water system infrastructure.under a lease agreement that was originally entered into on August 9, 2011. As part of the agreement, Cal Water can request rate increases but requires city council approval for any rate request to take effect. Cal Water has not increased rates since 2017 and Cal Water has seen significant increases in costs since then. Cal Water requested rate increases of 11.7% in 2020, 11.6% in 2021, and 11.6% in 2022.
On August 27, 2019, the rate increases were approved via resolution 8123. The plans also reflect Cal Water's aggressive cost-control measures to reduce operatingnew rates will become effective on January 1, 2020 and administrative costs.January 1st each year thereafter.
Cost of Capital ApplicationDecision
In April of 2017, Cal Water, along with three other water utilities, filed an application to adopt a new cost of capital and capital structure for 2018. On March 22.22, 2018, the CPUC adopted a revised decision in the cost of capital proceeding for Cal Water and three other water utilities for the years 2018, 2019, and 2020, establishing for Cal Water a 9.20% return on equity and a 5.51% cost of debt, with a capital structure of 46.60% long-term debt and 53.40% common equity, and an authorized return on rate base of 7.48%, compared with Cal Water’s prior return on equity of 9.43%, cost of debt of 6.24%, and authorized return on rate base of 7.94%. The adopted capital structure did not change. The adopted returns on debt and equity will reducereduced Cal Water’s 2018 adopted revenue by approximately $6.9 million. The CPUC also authorized continuation of the water cost of capital adjustment mechanism, which provides for an adjustment in the return on equity if the cost of

long-term debt as defined by an index of utility debt rates varies from the most recent index by 100 basis points or more in 2019 and 2020.
On March 30, 2018, Cal Water submitted an advice letter that established the Cost of Capital Memorandum Account (CoC MA) to track the difference between current rates and rates based upon the new cost of capital adopted by the CPUC as if the new cost of capital had been in effect beginning January 1, 2018.
In May of 2018, Cal Water submitted an advice letter to adopt the new cost of capital and capital structure for 2018 in customer rates. The annual adopted gross revenue reduction associated with the May 2018 filing was $6.9 million. The new rates became effective on July 1, 2018.
As of September 30,In 2018, Cal Water recorded a $2.8$3.0 million reduction to revenue with a corresponding regulatory liability due to the CoC MA. The regulatory liability was for the revenue reduction that Cal Water recorded for the first six months of 2018 during which the new cost of capital and capital structure were yet to be adopted in customer rates. In April of 2019, Cal Water submitted an advice letter to refund the full balance of the cost of capital memorandum account of $3.0 million. The new rates became effective April 15, 2019.
2018 Tax Accounting Memorandum Account (TAMA)
On December 22, 2017, the CPUC sent a letter to All Class A and B Water and Sewer Utilities on the subject of “Changes in Federal Tax Rates for 2018.” The CPUC required Cal Water to establish a memo account to track the impact of the TCJA on Cal Water. The TAMA will track the revenue requirement impact of the TCJA not otherwise reflected in rates from January 1, 2018 until current rates are modified to reflect all impacts of the TCJA. The Hawaii Water, Washington Water, and New Mexico Water Commissions have similar requirements to track the impact of the changes to the federal tax law. For the three and nine months ended September 30,In 2018, the Company recorded a $0.2$5.4 million and $5.0 million reduction to revenue, respectively, with a corresponding regulatory liability due to the changes required by the TCJA. The regulatory liability was for the revenue reduction that the Company recorded for the first six months of 2018 during which the new federal corporate income tax rate was yet to be adopted in customer rates.
In May of 2018, Cal Water submitted an advice letter to adopt the new federal corporate income tax rate in customer rates. The annual adopted gross revenue reduction associated with the May 2018 filing was $11.1 million. The new rates became effective on July 1, 2018.
In April of 2019, Cal Water submitted an advice letter to refund $5.0 million of the tax accounting memorandum account's balance associated with the decrease in the federal corporate income tax rate for Cal Water for the first six months of 2018. The new rates became effective April 15, 2019. The memorandum account remains open to allow the Commissions to review other changes to Cal Water’s revenue requirements such as property taxes and excess deferred income taxes.
Escalation increase requests
As a part of the decision on the 2015 GRC, Cal Water was authorized to request annual escalation rate increases for 20182019 for those districts that passed the earnings test. In November of 2017,2018, Cal Water requested escalation rate increases in all of its regulated districts. The annual adopted gross revenue associated with the November 20172018 filing was $15.9$16.2 million. The new rates became effective on January 1, 2018.

2019.
WRAM and MCBA filings
In April of 2018,2019, Cal Water submitted an advice letter to true up the revenue under-collections in the 20172018 annual WRAMs/MCBAs of its regulated districts. A net under-collection of $50.1$29.2 million is being recovered from customers in the form of 12, 18, and greater-than-18-month surcharges.surcharges and 12 month surcredits. The new rates became effective April 15, 2018. This surcharge is2019. These surcharges/surcredits are in addition to surcharges/surcredits authorized in prior years which have not yet expired.
Expense Offset filings
Expense offsets are dollar-for-dollar increases in revenue to match increased expenses, and therefore do not affect net operating income. In October of 2017, Cal Water submitted advice letters to request offsets for increases in purchased water costs and pump taxes in five of its regulated districts totaling $2.2 million. The new rates became effective on January 1, 2018.
In May and JuneNovember of 2018, Cal Water submitted advice letters to request offsets for increases in purchased water costs and pump taxes in five of its regulated districts totaling $3.8$2.0 million. The new rates became effective on January 1, 2019.
In June and July of 2019, Cal Water submitted advice letters to request offsets for increases in purchased water costs and pump taxes in five of its regulated districts totaling $3.9 million. The new rates became effective on July 1, 2018.15, 2019.



Rate base Offset filings
For construction projects that are authorized in GRCs as advice letter projects, companies are allowed to file rate base offsets to increase revenues after the plant is placed into service. In November of 2017,2018, Cal Water submitted advice letters to recover $0.2 million of annual revenue increase for rate base offsets in four of its regulated districts. The new rates became effective on April 15, 2019.
In August of 2019, Cal Water submitted an advice letter to recover $1.4$0.4 million of annual revenue increase for athe rate base offset in one of its regulated districts. The new rates becameare expected to become effective on January 1, 2018.in the fourth quarter of 2019.
During the first six monthsIn October of 2018,2019, Cal Water submitted an advice lettersletter to recover $2.1$0.3 million of annual revenue increasesincrease for the rate base offsetsoffset in allone of its regulated districts. The new rates becameare proposed to become effective on JulyJanuary 1, 2018.2020.
California Drought Memorandum Account
In March of 2018, Cal Water submitted an advice letter to request recovery of 2016 and 2017 incremental drought expenses of $3.2$3.3 million. TheOn January 10, 2019, the Commission approved Cal Water's request for recovery of the $3.3 million of incremental expenses; subsequently, Cal Water submitted an advice letter requireson January 15, 2019 to implement a Commission resolution and Cal Water maysurcharge to recover less than the requested amount. Cal Water anticipates a decisionincremental expenses from customers. The new rates became effective on the matter by the end of 2018.April 15, 2019.
Travis Air Force Base
On September 29, 2016, Cal Water entered into a 50-year agreement with the U.S. Department of Defense to acquire the water distribution assets of and distribute water to most of Travis Air Force Base (TAFB) beginning in 2018. On May 31, 2017, Cal Water submitted an application to the CPUC seeking approval to distribute water service to most of the base and to establish rates for its service.
TheOn December 13, 2018, the CPUC conditionally approved Cal Water’s request to own and operate the TAFB water system utilizes surfaceas a regulated water treated atutility district. Approval was conditioned upon modifying the contract between Cal Water and the Department of Defense to more clearly assert the CPUC’s jurisdiction over a new Travis District. In January of 2019, Cal Water fulfilled the condition by submitting a contract amendment that was approved by the CPUC. The decision enables Cal Water to acquire the water treatment plantdistribution assets of TAFB from the U.S. Department of Defense and groundwater from five wells,provide water utility service to the base for a term of 50 years. Subject to the terms of the contract with the Department of Defense and includes distribution piping, storage tanks, hydrants, and other appurtenances to serve about 15,280the CPUC decision, Cal Water began serving TAFB’s more than 15,000 active and reserve personnel and civilians on July 1, 2019. The rates for TAFB are scheduled to be updated in January of 2020 with the 6,400-acre base. If approved,CPUC's resolution of the 2018 GRC.
Public Safety Power Shut-off Memorandum Account (PSPS MA).
The recent wildfires in California have focused regulatory efforts to reduce the incidence and severity of these types of devastating events. The increased number of wildfire events are due to a number of factors such as extended drought, increased fuel for fires, and other extreme weather events. In addition, energized power lines can exacerbate wildfire conditions. These lines carry the potential to start or worsen an existing wildfire. Given this, the Commission has been examining issues related to wildfires and other emergencies in several proceedings. One of the proceedings, Rulemaking 18-12-005, is focused on proactively shutting off electric power in order to protect public safety through the Public Safety Power Shut-Off (PSPS) program, or de-energization. During a PSPS event, power will be cut off to electric lines that may fail in certain weather conditions in order to reduce the likelihood that electric utility infrastructure could cause or contribute to a wildfire.
The Commission’s rulemaking is divided into two phases. In Phase 1, the Commission examined and adopted PSPS guidelines, focusing primarily on notification, communication and outreach. In Phase 2, the Commission will address issues that were outside of the scope of Phase 1 and will revisit some Phase 1 issues for further refinement. In Phase 2, which has been divided into two tracks, the Commission will take a more comprehensive look at de-energization practices, including mitigation, additional coordination across agencies, further refinements to findings in Phase 1, re-energization practices, and other matters. The first track will cover issues that may need to be addressed to inform PSPS events as soon as possible. The second track will cover issues that require an in depth analysis.
Electric utilities are expected to declare PSPS events during periods of high fire danger and where there is specific risk of electrical facilities causing a fire. As a public safety partner, Cal Water will make initial capital receive priority notification of such events. According to communications with Cal Water’s main electric providers, Southern California Edison and Pacific Gas and Electric, PSPS events may last up to 5 days which could significantly impact facilities within Cal Water's water systems. Additionally, power loss events can occur in major earthquakes, non-electric utility caused wildfires, tsunami, or other natural and man-made disasters. Cal Water must be ready and equipped to maintain water service to the extent possible during these events. In response, Cal Water has performed a draft risk assessment which outlines recommended

improvements necessary to prepare its water systems for power loss events. The PSPS program will require either an increase in backup power generation or the development of about $12.7 million,an alternate means of providing reliable supply within Cal Water’s water distribution systems. Depending upon the course of action, this can increase the need for generator fuel commensurate with an anticipated capital investmentthe expected duration of about $52.0 million overpower shutoffs. In most cases, Cal Water may need to lease generators for the 50-year termmost critical facilities to be prepared for the 2019 wildfire season, in anticipation of installing more permanent facilities in the long term. There will also be a necessary increase in generator and electrical equipment maintenance activities to improve reliability of the utility service contract.auxiliary power sources for a power loss event. To this end, Cal Water included an infrastructure improvement plan forrespectfully requested a memorandum account from the proposed regulated Travis districtCPUC to track costs related to this effort. The memorandum account is pending approval by the CPUC. The PSPS MA will track the incremental costs associated with the preparation and installation of facilities to address public safety needs in Cal Water’s July 2, 2018 GRC filing, proposing a revenue increasethe event of $4.7 million overpower losses. For the years 2020, 2021,three and 2022.nine months ended September 30, 2019, the PSPS MA incremental costs were $0.5 million.
20182019 Regulatory Activity—Other States
2019 Kona (Hawaii Water) GRC Filing
In February of 2019, Hawaii Water filed a GRC application requesting an additional $0.6 million in annual revenues for its Kona Water and Wastewater systems with the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission. The GRC seeks recovery of capital investments in the Kona water and wastewater systems as well as increases in operational expenses since the previous rate case. If approved, the Company anticipates rates would become effective the first quarter of 2020.
2017 Waikoloa (Hawaii Water) GRC Filings
In December of 2017, Hawaii Water filed GRC applications requesting an additional $3.8 million in annual revenues for its Waikoloa Village and Resort Systems with the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission. The GRCs seek recovery of capital investments in the Waikoloa Village and Waikoloa Resort Systems as well as increases in operating expenses since the previous rate case. If approved,On January 1, 2019, the Company anticipates rates would become effective in the fourth quarter of 2018 for theHPUC authorized Waikoloa Village systemsrate increases of $0.8 million for 2019 and $0.1 million for 2020. On January 7, 2019, the first quarterHPUC authorized Waikoloa Resort rate increases of $0.8 million for 2019, $0.8 million for 2020, and $0.1 million for 2021.
Kalaeloa Water Company (Hawaii Water)
In March 2019, Hawaii Water and Hunt Kalaeloa Water LLC entered into a Membership Interest Purchase Agreement to acquire water and wastewater assets. The Kalaeloa service area is located on the Resort systems.
2018 Washington Water GRC Filing
Island of Oahu on the former Barbers Point Naval Air Station. On July 2, 2018, Washington Water3, 2019, the parties submitted a GRCchange of control application to the WashingtonHawaii Public Utilities Commission requesting approval for the purchase. If approved, Hawaii Water would be authorized to provide water and Transportation Commission (UTC) to increase revenues to cover the higher costs of providing a reliable, high-quality water supply. The application requests an increase of $1.6 million in annual revenue, which is an increase of 13.8% over 2017 revenue. Washington Water is requesting recovery for numerous water system upgrades and additions that Washington Water has made since its last GRC, which include new pumping equipment, water treatment facilities, wells, water mains, and new

storage. Increases in operating costs are also a factorwastewater service in the proposed increase. The application reflects increases in materials, equipment, depreciation expense due to the addition of new facilities, and increases in employee wages and health care costs. The Company anticipates new rates to become effective during the fourth quarter of 2018.Kalaeloa service area.
LIQUIDITY
Cash flow from Operations
Cash flow from operations for the first nine months of 20182019 was $119.5$128.3 million compared to $109.8$119.5 million for the same period in 2017.2018. 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 2018,2019, we made contributions of $42.3$12.5 million to our employee pension plan compared to contributions of $22.2$42.3 million made during the first nine months of 2017.2018. During the first nine months of 2018,2019, we made contributions of $8.0$5.6 million to the other postretirement benefit plans compared to contributions of $2.3$8.0 million during the first nine months of 2017.2018. The total 20182019 estimated cash contribution to the pension plans is $42.3$18.8 million and to the other postretirement benefit plans is $9.7$7.9 million.
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 bank lines of credit in the event cash is not available to cover operating and utility plant costs during the winter period. 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 more 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 20182019 and 2017,2018, we used $212.9$194.9 million and $180.4$212.9 million, respectively, of cash for company-fundedCompany-funded and developer-funded utility plant expenditures. The 2018 budget estimates utility plant expenditures to be between $240.0 to $260.0 million. Annual expenditures fluctuate each year due to the availability of construction resources and our ability to obtain construction permits in a timely manner. For 2019, we estimate utility plant expenditures to be between $250.0 million and $260.0 million with higher capital spending anticipated after approval of the 2018 GRC settlement (see note 14).
Financing Activities
Net cash provided by financing activities was $66.5$72.9 million during the first nine months of 20182019 compared to $76.6$66.5 million of net cash provided by financing activities for the same period in 2017.2018.
On October 31, 2019, the Company entered into an equity distribution agreement with Morgan Stanley & Co., LLC, Robert W. Baird & Co. Incorporated, Blaylock Van, LLC and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC to sell shares of its common stock having an aggregate gross sales price of up to $300.0 million from time to time depending on market conditions through an at-the-market equity program over the next three years. The Company intends to use the net proceeds from these sales, after deducting commissions on such sales and offering expenses, for general corporate purposes, which may include working capital, construction and acquisition expenditures, investments and repurchases, and redemptions of securities.
During the first nine months of 2019 and 2018, Cal Water issued $400.0 million of First Mortgage Bonds on June 11, 2019 in a private placement. Cal Water used the net proceeds from the sale of the bonds to pay down outstanding short-term borrowings and 2017,to redeem $300.0 million of First Mortgage Bond series UUU. Additionally, we borrowed $141.0$210.0 million and $185.0$141.0 million, respectively, on our unsecured revolving credit facilities. Repayments of unsecured revolving credit facilities borrowings during the first nine months of 2018 were $341.0 million2019 and $87.0 million for the same period in 2017. We issued $300.0 million of floating rate First Mortgage Bonds on September 13, 2018 (see note 7) in a private placement and the proceeds were mainly used to pay down2018. Cal Water's unsecured revolving credit facility. We alsoWater repaid $11.8$100.0 million of First Mortgage Bonds that matured induring the first nine months of 2019. Also, we made a repayment on our unsecured revolving credit facilities borrowings of $120.0 million during the first nine months of 2019 compared to a repayment of $341.0 million for the same period in 2018.
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 revolving credit facilities amend, expand, and replace the Company’s and its subsidiaries’ prior credit facilities originally entered into on May 10, 2015. The new credit facilities extended the terms until March 29, 2024, and increased Cal Water’s unsecured revolving line of credit. 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. All borrowings must be repaid within 24 months unless a different period is required or authorized by the CPUC. 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 proceeds from the revolving credit facilities may be used for working capital purposes, including the short-term financing of capital projects. Borrowings under the credit facilities typically have maturities varying between one and nine months and will bear interest annually at a rate equal to (i) the base rate or (ii) the Eurodollar rate, plus an applicable margin of 0.650% to 0.875%, depending on the Company and its subsidiaries’ consolidated total capitalization ratio.
The undercollected net WRAM and MCBA receivable balances were $60.0$62.6 million and $61.6$60.0 million as of September 30, 20182019 and 2017,2018, 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, the interest recoverable from customers, is limited to the current 90-day commercial paper rates which is significantly lower than Cal Water’s short and long-term financing rates.
Short-term and Long-Term Financing
During the first nine months of 2018,2019, we utilized cash generated from operations, issuance of First Mortgage Bonds, and borrowings on the unsecured revolving credit facilities to fund operations and capital investments. We did not sell Company common stock during the first nine months of 20182019 and 2017. 2018. We issued $1.3 million of Company common stock for the Company's employee stock purchase plan that went into effect on January 1, 2019.
On June 11, 2019, Cal Water issued $400.0 million of First Mortgage Bonds (see Note 7) in a private placement. Cal Water used the net proceeds from the sale of the bonds to pay down outstanding short-term borrowings and to redeem $300.0 million of First Mortgage Bond series UUU. Bond principal and other long-term debt payments were $401.6 million during the first nine months of 2019 and $12.5 million during the first nine months of 2018.

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. 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 $300.0$400.0 million under its revolving credit facility; however, all borrowings need tomust be repaid within 24 months unless otherwisea different period is required or authorized by the CPUC. The proceeds from the revolving credit facilities may be used for working capital purposes, including the short-term financing of utility plant projects. The base loan rate may vary from LIBOR plus 72.5 basis points to LIBOR

plus 95 basis points, depending on the Company’s total capitalization ratio. Likewise, the unused commitment fee may vary from 8 basis points to 12.5 basis points based on the same ratio.
As of September 30, 20182019 and December 31, 2017,2018, there were short-term borrowings of $75.1$155.1 million and $275.1$65.1 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, 2018,2019, we are in compliance with all of the covenant requirements and are eligible to use the full amount of our credit facilities.
Bond principal and other long-term debt payments were $12.5 million during the first nine months of 2018 and $2.8 million during the first nine months of 2017.
Long-term financing, which includes senior notes,First Mortgage Bonds, other debt securities, and common stock, has typically been used to replace short-term borrowings and fund utility plant expenditures. On September 13, 2018, we issued $300.0 million of floating rate First Mortgage Bonds (see note 7) in a private placement to pay down Cal Water's unsecured revolving credit facility. 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 utility plant expenditures plan 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.
On October 31, 2019, the Company entered into an equity distribution agreement with Morgan Stanley & Co., LLC, Robert W. Baird & Co. Incorporated, Blaylock Van, LLC and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC to sell shares of its common stock having an aggregate gross sales price of up to $300.0 million from time to time depending on market conditions through an at-the-market equity program over the next three years. The Company intends to use the net proceeds from these sales, after deducting commissions on such sales and offering expenses, for general corporate purposes, which may include working capital, construction and acquisition expenditures, investments and repurchases, and redemptions of securities.
Dividends
During the first nine months of 2018,2019, our quarterly common stock dividend payments were $0.56250$0.5925 per share compared to $0.5400$0.5625 per share during the first nine months of 2017.2018. For the full year 2017,2018, the payout ratio was 51%55.2% 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 31, 201830, 2019 meeting, the Company's Board of Directors declared the fourth quarter dividend of $0.1875$0.1975 per share payable on November 23, 2018,22, 2019, to stockholders of record on November 12, 2018.11, 2019. This was our 295th299th consecutive quarterly dividend.
20182019 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 $300.0$400.0 million, respectively, for short-term borrowings. As of September 30, 2018,2019, the Company’s and Cal Water’s availability on these unsecured revolving lines of credit was $74.9$94.9 million and $300.0 million, respectively.
Book Value and Stockholders of Record
Book value per common share was $14.81$15.74 at September 30, 20182019 compared to $14.44$15.19 at December 31, 2017.2018. There were approximately 1,9101,925 stockholders of record for our common stock as of August 6, 2018.12, 2019.

Utility Plant Expenditures
During the first nine months of 2018,2019, utility plant expenditures totaled $212.9$194.9 million for company-fundedCompany-funded and developer-funded projects. The 2018 budget estimates company-fundedFor 2019, we estimate utility plant expenditures to be between $240.0$250.0 million and $260.0 million. The actual amount may vary frommillion with higher capital spending anticipated after approval of the budget number due to timing of actual payments related to current year and prior year projects.2018 GRC settlement (see note 14). We do not control third-party-funded utility plant expenditures and therefore are unable to estimate the amount of such projects for 2018.2019.
As of September 30, 2018,2019, construction work in progress was $234.1 million compared to $195.3 million as of September 30, 2017. Work$266.0 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 46.5%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 6.8 billion gallons or 14.4%14.0% 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 28.029.1 billion gallons or 58.9%59.4% of our total annual water supply pumped from wells. Our annual groundwater extraction from unmanaged groundwater basins approximates 12.713.1 billion gallons or 26.7%26.6% 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 $3.8$3.5 million and $3.6$3.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 20182019 and 2017,2018, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 20182019 and 2017,2018, well pump taxes were $10.9$8.7 million and $9.6$10.9 million, respectively. In 2014, the State of California enacted the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act of 2014. The law and its implementing regulations requiredrequire 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 in the future, groundwater will be produced mainly from managed and adjudicated basins.
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 September 30, 2018,June 27, 2019, the State of California snowpack water content during the 2017-20182019-2020 water year is 79%80% of long-term averages (per the California Department of Water Resources, NorthernDaily Drought Information Summary). The northern Sierra Precipitation Accumulation report). In Januaryregion is the most important for the state’s urban water supplies. The central and southern portions of 2014, California's Governor Brown proclaimed a drought emergencythe Sierras also have recorded 91% and directed State officials to take all necessary actions to make water immediately available. On April 7, 2017, the Governor declared an end to the drought emergency in 5459%, respectively, of California’s 58 counties. Two of Cal Water's districts remain under a declared drought; these were areas where groundwater was impacted by five years of drought conditions.long-term averages. Management believes that supply pumped from underground aquifers and purchased from wholesale suppliers will be adequate to meet customer demand during 20182019 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 regulations required of utilities.

CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS
Effective April 3, 2018, the City of Commerce has renewed a lease agreement for Cal Water to operate the City of Commerce’s water system for the next 15 years. Cal Water has operated the City of Commerce water system since 1985 and is responsible for all operations, maintenance, water quality assurance, and customer service programs to provide a reliable supply of water that meets federal and state standards to customers served by the City of Commerce system. The City of Commerce will remain responsible for financing infrastructure improvements and setting its customers’ water rates.
During the nine months ended September 30, 2018,2019, there were no other 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.”


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(c)15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act)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’sCommission's rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our CEOChief Executive Officer and CFO,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 CEOChief Executive Officer and our CFO,Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of September 30, 2018.2019. Based on that evaluation and the changes made to our internal control over financial reporting in the first nine months of 2019 noted below, 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 changeTo remediate the material weakness in our internal controlscontrol over financial reporting that occurredas of December 31, 2018 disclosed in Part I, Item 9A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year-ended December 31, 2018, management made the following changes during the first nine months of 2019:
Management revised the design of the monthly regulatory balancing account control for the health cost balancing account (HCBA) and pension cost balancing account (PCBA). Monthly detailed calculations are prepared for these balancing accounts, which are reviewed by accounting and rates management who approve the calculations. The monthly review and approval process validates all assumptions and inputs used to determine the monthly balancing account revenue and related balance sheet account adjustments for HCBA and PCBA. This control was implemented

in the first quarter endedof 2019 and internal audit tested the design and operating effectiveness of the resulting control and concluded that it is operating effectively as of September 30, 2018,2019.
Management designed a new control over regulatory orders, GRC settlements or other decisions made by the Commissions impacting the Company. As required by the control, accounting and rates management review and document the financial impacts of the provisions, events, and requirements of any such regulatory orders, GRC settlements, or decisions made by the Commissions. This control was implemented in the third quarter of 2019 and internal audit tested the design and operating effectiveness of the resulting control and concluded that has materially affected, orit is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal controls over financial reporting.operating effectively as of September 30, 2019.

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 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, 20172018 filed with the SEC on March 1, 2018.February 28, 2019.
Item 5.
OTHER INFORMATION
The Company confirmed in a Form 8K filing on April 26, 2018 that it made a proposalOn October 31, 2019, we entered into an equity distribution agreement (the Equity Distribution Agreement) with Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, Robert W. Baird & Co. Incorporated, Blaylock Van, LLC, and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC (the Managers). Pursuant to acquire San Jose Water Group (SJW) for $68.25the terms of the Equity Distribution Agreement, we may, from time to time through an at-the-market equity program, sell shares of our common stock, par value $0.01 per share, inhaving an all-cash transaction valued at approximately $1.9 billion includingaggregate gross sales price of up to $300.0 million (the Shares) through the assumptionManagers, acting as our agents (the ATM Offering). We will pay the Managers a commission equal to 1.0% of debt. The proposal represented a 20% premiumthe gross offering proceeds from the sale of Shares pursuant to SJW’s closing stock price on April 25, 2018 and was rejected by the SJW Board of Directors.
DuringATM Offering. In the second quarter of 2018,Equity Distribution Agreement, the Company began soliciting proxiesagrees to indemnify the Managers against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act) or to contribute payments that the Managers may be required to make because of such liabilities. We or the Managers may suspend the offering of Shares at any time and from time to time by notifying the other party.
We intend to use the net proceeds from these sales, after deducting commissions on such sales and offering expenses, for general corporate purposes, which may include working capital, construction and acquisition expenditures, investments and repurchases, and redemptions of securities.
The Managers and their affiliates have, from time to time, provided, and may in oppositionthe future provide, various investment banking, commercial banking and/or other financial services for us and our affiliates in the ordinary course of business, for which services they have and may in the future receive customary fees. Affiliates of certain of the Managers are lenders under certain of our and our affiliates’ credit facilities.

The Shares will be issued pursuant to resolutions relatedour automatically effective shelf registration statement on Form S-3 that is currently on file (Registration No. 333-234389), the base prospectus contained therein, and a prospectus supplement that was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 31, 2019.
A copy of the Equity Distribution Agreement is attached as Exhibit 1.1 to this quarterly report. The foregoing description of the Equity Distribution Agreement does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to Exhibit 1.1.
A copy of the opinion of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP relating to the pending merger between SJW and Connecticut Water Service, Inc. The Company also commenced a tender offer to acquire all outstanding shares of SJW for $68.25 per share in cash. The offer was scheduled to expire at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on September 28, 2018.
After the close of business on Friday, August 10, 2018, the Company submitted a written all-cash proposal to the SJW Board of Directors to acquire 100%validity of the securities issued and outstanding SJW Shares for $70.00 per share in cash. The proposal was rejected by the SJW Board of Directors.ATM Offering is filed as Exhibit 5.1 to this quarterly report.
On August 17, 2018, the Company terminated its tender offer to acquire all outstanding shares of SJW for $68.25 per share in cash.

Item 6.
EXHIBITS
Exhibit Description
1.1
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
   
4.1

 
5.1
   
10.1

 
 

  
10.2

 
 
23.1
Consent of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP (contained in Exhibit 5.1)
  
31.1

 
 

  
31.2

 
 

  
32

 
 

  
101.INS101

 XBRL Instance DocumentThe following materials from California Water Service Group's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2019 formatted in iXBRL (Inline eXtensible Business Reporting Language): (i) Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, (ii) Condensed Consolidated Statements of (Loss) Income, (iii) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, and (iv) the Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
104

 
101.SCH
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document

101.CAL
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document

101.DEF
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document

101.LAB
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document

101.PRE
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase DocumentThe cover page from California Water Service Group's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2019, formatted in iXBRL (included as exhibit 101)


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 1, 2018October 31, 2019By:/s/ Thomas F. Smegal III
  Thomas F. Smegal III
  Vice President,
  Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer




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