Governing with Integrity
California Water Service Group’s mission is to be the leading provider of sustainable water and wastewater services—and that starts with integrity as a core value. We hold our Board of Directors, executive leadership team, employees, and suppliers to high ethical standards and strive to follow best practices as we advocate for the interests of our customers, communities, employees, and future generations.
Corporate Governance
Robust corporate governance is the foundation for everything we do. We rely on strong Board and executive leadership, as well as a clear framework of oversight and controls that guides our business and promotes long-term value. Sound policies and practices also build trust with investors, employees, communities, and public officials. In 2023, we were recognized for the third year in a row as one of the “World’s Most Trustworthy Companies” by Newsweek.
Ethics
We have a long-standing reputation for doing the right thing. We maintain accountability through detailed policies and clear expectations for leadership and employees. Deeply ingrained business ethics promote integrity among the Board, executives, and employees, and help us earn the trust of our investors, customers, and communities. Our Ethics Hotline is available 24/7 and can be accessed by telephone or online.
Public Policy & Political Involvement
We support policies that align with our values and leaders who advance the interests of our customers, communities, employees, and stockholders. Our political involvement and spending help inform and elect leaders who engage on topics critical to our mission. For example, in 2023, we worked with the Community Water Center, Leadership Counsel for Justice and Accountability, and Clean Water Action to support California Senate Bill 3, which helps protect low-income Californians from arbitrary service disconnections.
Responsible Sourcing
We aim to acquire goods and services in a way that’s sensitive to environmental, social, and ethical considerations. That means working with suppliers who take responsibility for the entire lifecycle of products and services, align with our expectations for conduct, and safeguard the human rights of workers for the supplier and in their supply chains. Our Supplier Diversity Program also helps us receive high-quality products and services while increasing partnerships with businesses owned by women, minorities, disabled veterans, LGBTQ individuals, and persons with disabilities. In 2023, 27.2% of our net procurement spend went to diverse suppliers.
Our ESG Reporting
Our annual ESG reporting provides detailed updates on our ESG strategy and the progress we’ve made on topics that are important to the company and to our stakeholders.