November 4, 2011 - 10-Q: Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

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

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2011

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

For the transition period from to

Commission file number 1-13883

CALIFORNIA WATER SERVICE GROUP

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

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

1720 North First Street, San Jose, CA.		95112
(Address of principal executive offices)		(Zip Code)

408-367-8200

(Registrants telephone number, including area code)

Not Applicable

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

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

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted 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 and post such files). Yes x No o

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

Large accelerated filer x		Accelerated filer o

Non-accelerated filer o		Smaller reporting company o
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

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 issuers classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date. Common shares outstanding as of October 21, 2011 41,817,032

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

	Page
PART I Financial Information	3
Item 1 Financial Statements	3
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (unaudited) September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010	3
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (unaudited) For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2011 and 2010	4
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (unaudited) For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2011 and 2010	5
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited) For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2011 and 2010	6
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements	7
Item 2 Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	21
Item 3 Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure about Market Risk	32
Item 4 Controls and Procedures	32
PART II Other Information
Item 1 Legal Proceedings	32
Item 1A Risk Factors	33
Item 6 Exhibits	34
Signatures	35
Index to Exhibits	36

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PART I FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

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

CALIFORNIA WATER SERVICE GROUP

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

Unaudited

(In thousands, except per share data)

	September 30, 2011			December 31, 2010
ASSETS
Utility plant:
Utility plant	$	1,927,447		$	1,843,766
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	(580,009		)	(549,469		)
Net utility plant	1,347,438			1,294,297
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	46,712			42,277
Receivables:
Customers	38,713			25,813
Regulatory balancing accounts	11,065			14,784
Other	19,408			5,386
Unbilled revenue	22,771			13,925
Materials and supplies at average cost	5,778			6,058
Taxes, prepaid expenses and other assets	10,769			17,967
Total current assets	155,216			126,210
Other assets:
Regulatory assets	262,334			229,577
Goodwill	2,615			2,615
Other assets	33,549			39,367
Total other assets	298,498			271,559
	$	1,801,152		$	1,692,066
CAPITALIZATION AND LIABILITIES
Capitalization:
Common stock, $.01 par value 68,000 shares authorized, 41,817 and 41,667 outstanding in 2011 and 2010, respectively	$	418		$	417
Additional paid-in capital	219,237			217,308
Retained earnings	234,400			217,801
Total common stockholders equity	454,055			435,526
Long-term debt, less current maturities	477,559			479,181
Total capitalization	931,614			914,707
Current liabilities:
Current maturities of long-term debt	2,392			2,380
Short-term borrowings	39,860			23,750
Accounts payable	58,554			39,505
Regulatory balancing accounts	1,500			3,025
Accrued interest	10,996			4,651
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	47,423			34,037
Total current liabilities	160,725			107,348
Unamortized investment tax credits	2,328			2,244
Deferred income taxes, net	124,998			107,084
Pension and postretirement benefits other than pensions	162,307			155,224
Regulatory and other liabilities	76,692			82,204
Advances for construction	187,146			186,899
Contributions in aid of construction	155,342			136,356
	$	1,801,152		$	1,692,066

See Accompanying Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

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CALIFORNIA WATER SERVICE GROUP

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

Unaudited

(In thousands, except per share data)

For the three months ended	September 30, 2011			September 30, 2010
Operating revenue	$	169,254		$	146,349
Operating expenses:
Operations:
Water production costs	61,593			54,634
Administrative and general	21,646			17,794
Other operations	17,506			14,889
Maintenance	4,651			4,853
Depreciation and amortization	12,729			10,934
Income taxes	15,881			12,825
Property and other taxes	5,170			4,555
Total operating expenses	139,176			120,484
Net operating income	30,078			25,865
Other income and expenses:
Non-regulated revenue	3,425			3,850
Non-regulated expenses, net	(6,489		)	(2,214		)
Gain on sale of non-utility property				33
Income tax benefit (expense) on other income and expenses	1,254			(674		)
Net other income (expense)	(1,810		)	995
Interest expense:
Interest expense	8,007			6,958
Less: capitalized interest	(674		)	(484		)
Net interest expense	7,333			6,474
Net income	$	20,935		$	20,386
Earnings per share
Basic	$	0.50		$	0.49
Diluted	$	0.50		$	0.49
Weighted average shares outstanding
Basic	41,780			41,622
Diluted	41,789			41,648
Dividends declared per share of common stock	$	0.15375		$	0.14875

See Accompanying Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

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CALIFORNIA WATER SERVICE GROUP

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

Unaudited

(In thousands, except per share data)

For the nine months ended	September 30, 2011			September 30, 2010
Operating revenue	$	398,800		$	354,942
Operating expenses:
Operations:
Water production costs	138,296			126,923
Administrative and general	62,702			53,718
Other operations	47,879			43,204
Maintenance	15,138			14,962
Depreciation and amortization	37,690			32,364
Income taxes	23,278			21,324
Property and other taxes	14,236			12,545
Total operating expenses	339,219			305,040
Net operating income	59,581			49,902
Other income and expenses:
Non-regulated revenue	11,497			10,963
Non-regulated expenses, net	(13,422		)	(9,451		)
Gain on sale of non-utility property	62			33
Income tax benefit (expense) benefit on other income and expenses	776			(614		)
Net other income (expense)	(1,087		)	931
Interest expense:
Interest expense	24,556			20,386
Less: capitalized interest	(1,906		)	(2,338		)
Net interest expense	22,650			18,048
Net income	$	35,844		$	32,785
Earnings per share
Basic	$	0.86		$	0.79
Diluted	$	0.86		$	0.79
Weighted average shares outstanding
Basic	41,743			41,595
Diluted	41,756			41,624
Dividends declared per share of common stock	$	0.46125		$	0.44625

See Accompanying Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

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CALIFORNIA WATER SERVICE GROUP

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

Unaudited

(In thousands)

For the nine months ended:	September 30, 2011			September 30, 2010
Operating activities
Net income	$	35,844		$	32,785
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	39,013			34,588
Gain on sale of non-utility property	(62		)	(33		)
Change in value of life insurance contracts	2,829			(1,308		)
Other changes in noncurrent assets and liabilities	1,723			2,708
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Receivables	(25,485		)	(9,265		)
Accounts payable	15,011			4,236
Other current assets	7,591			6,659
Other current liabilities	20,293			9,217
Other changes, net	967			(2,121		)
Net adjustments	61,880			44,681
Net cash provided by operating activities	97,724			77,466
Investing activities:
Utility plant expenditures	(89,517		)	(99,341		)
Purchase of life insurance	(1,744		)	(1,798		)
Proceeds on sale of non-utility property	64			33
Restricted cash decrease (increase)	(114		)	2,991
Net cash used in investing activities	(91,311		)	(98,115		)
Financing activities:
Short-term borrowings	16,110			71,250
Repayment of short-term borrowing				(27,000		)
Proceeds from long-term debt	135			7,969
Repayment of long-term debt	(1,744		)	(12,532		)
Issuance of common stock	965			819
Advances and contributions in aid of construction	6,240			3,258
Refunds of advances for construction	(4,439		)	(4,687		)
Dividends paid	(19,245		)	(18,556		)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	(1,978		)	20,521
Change in cash and cash equivalents	4,435			(128		)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	42,277			9,866
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	46,712		$	9,738
Supplemental information
Cash paid for interest (net of amounts capitalized)	$	14,222		$	11,287
Cash paid for income taxes	$	43		$	68
Refund for income taxes	$	4,000		$
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash activities:
Accrued payables for investments in utility plant	$	7,746		$	7,756
Utility plant contribution by developers	$	11,263		$	26,045

See Accompanying Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

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CALIFORNIA WATER SERVICE GROUP

Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

September 30, 2011

(Amounts in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

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 states 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.

Basis of Presentation

The unaudited 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 condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Companys consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2010, included in its annual report on Form 10-K as filed with the SEC on March 1, 2011.

The preparation of the Companys condensed consolidated 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. Actual results could differ from these estimates. Due to the 2 for 1 stock split effective on June 10, 2011, all common stock shares and per share amounts have been adjusted retroactively for all periods presented to reflect shares on a post-split basis.

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

Due to the seasonal nature of the water business, the results for interim periods are not indicative of the results for a twelve-month period. Revenue and income are generally higher in the warm, summer months and lower in the cooler winter months.

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

The Company evaluated its operations through the time these financials were issued and determined there were no subsequent events requiring adjustments or disclosures as of the time these financial statements were issued except for as disclosed in Note 11.

Note 2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Revenue

Revenue includes monthly cycle customer billings for regulated water and wastewater services at rates authorized by regulatory commissions and billings to certain non-regulated customers. Revenue from metered customers includes billings to customers based on monthly meter readings plus an estimate for water used between the customers last meter reading and the end of the accounting period. Flat rate customers are billed in advance at the beginning of the service period. The revenue is prorated so that the portion of revenue applicable to the current accounting period is included in that periods revenue, with the balance recorded as unearned revenue on the balance sheet and recognized as revenue when earned in the subsequent accounting period With the adoption of the Water Revenue Adjustment Mechanism (WRAM) and the Modified Cost Balancing Account (MCBA), Cal Water records the difference between what is billed to its regulated customers and that which is authorized by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC).

Under the WRAM, Cal Water records the adopted level of volumetric revenues as authorized by the CPUC for metered accounts (adopted volumetric revenues). In addition to volumetric-based revenues, the revenue requirements approved by the CPUC include service charges, flat rate charges, and other items that are not subject to the WRAM. The adopted volumetric revenue considers the seasonality of consumption of water based upon historical averages. The variance between adopted volumetric revenues and actual billed volumetric revenues for metered accounts is recorded as a component of revenue with an offsetting entry to a current or long-term asset or liability balancing account (tracked individually for each Cal Water district). The variance amount may be positive or negative and represents amounts that will be billed or refunded to customers in the future.

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Under the MCBA, Cal Water tracks adopted expense levels for water production costs (purchased water, purchased power, and pump taxes), as established by the CPUC. Variances (which include the effects of changes in both rate and volume) between adopted and actual purchased water, purchased power, and pump tax expenses are recorded as a component of revenue, as the amount of such variances will be recovered from or refunded to Cal Waters customers at a later date. This is reflected with an offsetting entry to a current or long-term asset or liability regulatory balancing account (tracked individually for each Cal Water district).

The balances in the WRAM and MCBA assets and liabilities accounts fluctuate on a monthly basis depending upon the variance between adopted and actual results. The recovery or refund of the WRAM is netted against the MCBA over- or under-recovery for the corresponding district and is interest bearing at the current ninety day commercial paper rate when the net amount for any district achieves a pre-determined level at the end of any calendar year (i.e., at least 2.5 percent over- or under-recovery of the approved revenue requirement). Account balances less than those levels may be refunded or collected in Cal Waters general rate case proceedings or aggregated with future calendar year balances for comparison with the recovery level. As of September 30, 2011 included in the net regulatory balancing accounts, current and long-term assets were $11.1 million and $41.1 million, respectively, and current and long-term liabilities were $1.5 million and $0.6 million, respectively. As of December 31, 2010, included in the net regulatory balancing accounts, current and long-term assets were $14.8 million and $16.8 million, respectively, and the net regulatory balancing accounts current and long-term liabilities were $3.0 million and $0.6 million, respectively.

Note 3. Stock-based Compensation

Equity Incentive Plan

The Companys Equity Incentive Plan was approved by shareholders on April 27, 2005. The 2 for 1 stock split effective June 10, 2011, increased the plans authorized shares to 2,000,000 shares of common stock. During the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, the Company granted annual Restricted Stock Awards (RSAs) of 85,426 and 76,572 shares, respectively, of common stock to officers and directors of the Company. Employee options vest over forty-eight months, while director options vest at the end of twelve months. During the first nine months of 2011 and 2010, the shares granted were valued at $17.44 and $17.74 per share, respectively, based upon the fair market value of the Companys common stock on the date of grant.

The Company did not grant Stock Appreciation Rights (SARs) to officers during 2010 and 2011.

The Company has recorded compensation costs for the RSAs and SARs in Operating Expense in the amount of $1.0 million and $0.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and September 30, 2010, respectively.

Note 4. Common Stockholders Equity

Effective on June 8, 2011, the Companys Certificate of Incorporation was amended to increase the number of authorized shares of the Companys common stock from 25 million shares to 68 million shares. The equity incentive plan authorized shares also increased as described in Note 3 above. The common stock par value of $0.01 was not changed. The increased number of authorized shares and 2 for 1 stock split effective June 10, 2011, are retroactively applied to these financial statements resulting in an increase in the number of shares outstanding.

Note 5. Earnings Per Share Calculations

The computations of basic and diluted earnings per share are noted below. Basic earnings per share are computed by dividing net income available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share reflect the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts were exercised or converted into common stock. RSAs are included in the common shares outstanding because the shares have all the same voting and dividend rights as issued and unrestricted common stock. The Companys 2 for 1 stock split has been adjusted retroactively for all periods presented.

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The SARs outstanding of 361,356 shares are anti-dilutive for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010. All options are dilutive and the dilutive effect is shown in the table below.

(In thousands, except per share data)

	Three Months Ended September 30
	2011		2010
Net income available to common stockholders	$	20,935	$	20,386
Weighted average common shares, basic	41,780		41,622
Dilutive common stock options (treasury method)	9		26
Shares used for dilutive computation	41,789		41,648
Net income per share basic	$	0.50	$	0.49
Net income per share diluted	$	0.50	$	0.49

	Nine Months Ended September 30
	2011		2010
Net income available to common stockholders	$	35,844	$	32,785
Weighted average common shares, basic	41,743		41,595
Dilutive common stock options (treasury method)	13		29
Shares used for dilutive computation	41,756		41,624
Net income per share basic	$	0.86	$	0.79
Net income per share diluted	$	0.86	$	0.79

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 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 payments by the Company related to pension plans and other postretirement benefits were $15.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 compared to $13.2 million for the same period last year. The estimated cash contribution to the pension plans for 2011 is $24.6 million. The estimated contribution to the other benefit plans for 2011 is $7.0 million.

The following table lists components of the pension plans and other postretirement benefits. The data listed under pension plan includes the qualified pension plan and the non-qualified supplemental executive retirement plan. The data listed under other benefits is for all other postretirement benefits.

	Three Months Ended September 30												Nine Months Ended September 30
	Pension Plan						Other Benefits						Pension Plan						Other Benefits
	2011			2010			2011			2010			2011			2010			2011			2010
Service cost	$	2,928		$	2,654		$	990		$	813		$	8,785		$	7,557		$	2,971		$	2,399
Interest cost	3,671			3,612			895			739			11,012			10,276			2,683			2,305
Expected return on plan assets	(2,237		)	(2,068		)	(344		)	(278		)	(6,712		)	(6,171		)	(1,032		)	(836		)
Recognized net initial APBO (1)	N/A			N/A			69			69			N/A			N/A			207			207
Amortization of prior service cost	1,580			1,649			29			29			4,740			4,947			87			87
Recognized net actuarial loss	1,017			922			504			332			3,051			1,971			1,512			1,117
Net periodic benefit cost	$	6,959		$	6,769		$	2,143		$	1,704		$	20,876		$	18,580		$	6,428		$	5,279

(1) APBO Accumulated postretirement benefit obligation

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Note 7. Short-term and Long-term Borrowings

On June 29, 2011, the Company and Cal Water entered into Syndicated Credit Agreements, which provide for unsecured revolving credit facilities of up to an initial aggregate amount of $400 million. The Syndicated Credit Facilities amend, expand, and replace the Companys and its subsidiaries existing credit facilities originally entered into on October 27, 2009. The new credit facilities extended the terms until June 29, 2016, increased the Companys and Cal Waters unsecured revolving lines of credit, and lowered interest rates and fees. The Company and subsidiaries which it designates may borrow up to $100 million under the Companys revolving credit facility. Cal Water may borrow up to $300 million under its revolving credit facility; however, all borrowings need to be repaid within twelve months unless otherwise authorized by the CPUC. The proceeds from the revolving credit facilities may be used for working capital purposes, including the short-term financing of capital projects. The base loan rate may vary from LIBOR plus 72.5 basis points to LIBOR plus 95 basis points, depending on the Companys total capitalization ratio. Likewise, the unused commitment fee may vary from 8 basis points to 12.5 basis points based on the same 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. As of September 30, 2011, the Company and Cal Water have met all borrowing covenants for both credit agreements.

As of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, the outstanding borrowings on the Company lines of credit were $39.9 million and $23.8 million, respectively, and there were no borrowings on the Cal Water lines of credit for both periods. For the nine months ended September 30, 2011, the average borrowing rate was 2.6% compared to 3.0% for the same period last year.

Note 8. Income Taxes

The Company accounts for income taxes using the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Measurement of the deferred tax assets and liabilities is at enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in the period that includes the enactment date.

During 2010, the Company filed an application for a change in accounting method (Section 481 adjustment) with the State of California to change its plant-in-service state tax depreciation method from the double-declining method to the straight line method at the respective assets mid-life. The Companys application was approved by the State of California during the first quarter of 2011. California uses the flow-through method of accounting for income tax depreciation. As a result, the Company reduced its 2010 income tax obligation by $1.6 million, net of federal income taxes in the quarter ended March 31, 2011.

The Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization and Job Creation Act of 2010 will provide the Company with additional federal income tax deductions for assets placed in service after September 8, 2010 and before December 31, 2011.

The California Franchise Tax Board (FTB) is auditing the Companys 2008 and 2009 California income tax returns. It is uncertain when the FTB will complete its audit. The Company believes that the final resolution of the FTB audit will not have a material adverse impact on its financial condition or results of operations. The Company is not under audit by any other jurisdiction.

Note 9. Regulatory Assets and Liabilities

During 2011, the CPUC issued a decision regarding the $34.2 million of litigation proceeds previously received by Cal Water during 2008 which is being used to replace infrastructure damaged by the gasoline additive Methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE). The decision requires use of these proceeds for costs incurred as a result of MTBE contamination with any related benefits to be provided to Cal Water customers. Such usage includes transfer of the amount to contributions in aid of construction for remediation or replacement project costs once complete. Usage of the proceeds is reported to the CPUC through an Advice Letter or General Rate Case filing. As a result, the entire amount of the proceeds was reclassified from other long term liabilities to regulatory liabilities. During the nine months ended September 30, 2011, a total of $16.7 million of the proceeds have been transferred from regulatory liabilities to contributions in aid of construction.

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During 2011, Cal Water added balancing accounts for its pension plans and conservation program. Both balancing account effective dates were January 1, 2011. The pension plans balancing account is a two-way balancing account that tracks the differences between actual expenses and adopted rate recovery which will result in either a regulatory asset or liability. The conservation program is a one-way balancing account that tracks the differences between actual expenses and adopted rate recovery which may result in a regulatory liability if actual conservation expenses are less than adopted over the three year period ending December 31, 2013. As of September 30, 2011, there was a regulatory liability of $5.4 million for both balancing accounts.

Note 10. Commitment 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 footnote 15 of the current report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010. As of September 30, 2011, there were no significant changes from December 31, 2010.

Contingencies

Groundwater Contamination

The Company has been and is involved in litigation against third parties to recover past and future costs related to ground water contamination in our service areas. 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, depending upon the nature of the settlement.

The Company continues to pursue a lawsuit against major oil refineries regarding the contamination of the ground water as a result of the gas additive MTBE. MTBE has been detected in the ground water. The lawsuit seeks to recover treatment costs necessary to remove MTBE. No trial date has yet been set.

As previously reported, the Company has jointly filed with the City of Bakersfield a lawsuit in the Superior Court of California that names potentially responsible parties that manufactured and distributed products containing 1,2,3 trichloropropane (TCP) in California. TCP has been detected in the ground water. The lawsuit seeks to recover treatment costs necessary to remove TCP. The Court has now coordinated the Companys action with other water purveyor cases in San Bernardino County. No trial date has yet been set.

On May 22, 2008, the Company filed in San Mateo County Superior Court a complaint (California Water Service Company v. The Dow Chemical Company, et al. CIV 473093) against potentially responsible parties that manufactured and distributed products in California containing perchloroethylene, also known as tetrachloroethylene (PCE) for recovery of past, present, and future treatment costs. The case has not been consolidated with other PCE cases. Discovery is continuing. No trial date has yet been set.

Other Legal Matters

From time to time, the Company has been named as a co-defendant in asbestos-related lawsuits. Several of these cases against the Company have been dismissed without prejudice. In other cases the Companys contractors and insurance policy carriers have settled the cases with no effect on the Companys financial statements. As such, the Company does not currently believe there is any potential loss that is probable to occur related to these matters and therefore no accrual has been recorded.

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, the Company does not believe when taking into account existing reserves the ultimate resolution of these matters will materially affect the Companys financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.

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Note 11. Subsequent Events

In February 1996, we entered into an agreement to operate the City of Hawthorne water system. This lease ended during the month of February 2011 and Cal Water has been operating this water system on a month-to-month basis while a new agreement was being negotiated. Effective October 4, 2011, Cal Water agreed to operate the City of Hawthornes water system for a period of fifteen years. The agreement requires a one-time base rent payment to the City of Hawthorne in the amount of $8.1 million and annual rent payments of $0.9 million each year of the lease. The $8.1 million base rent will be paid and recorded as an intangible asset during the fourth quarter of 2011 and will be amortized over the lease term. The annual rent will be paid and expensed each month.

Note 12. Fair Value of Financial Instruments

For those financial instruments for which it is practicable to estimate a fair value, the following methods and assumptions were used. For cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable, the carrying amounts approximated the fair value because of the short-term maturity of the instruments. The fair value of the Companys long-term debt was estimated at $601.8 million and $536.6 million as of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively, using the published quoted market price, if available, or the discounted cash flow analysis, based on the current rates available to the Company for debt of similar maturities and credit risk. The carrying value of the long-term debt was $480.0 million and $481.6 million as of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively. The fair value of advances for construction contracts was estimated at $73.2 million as of September 30, 2011 and $75.6 million as of December 31, 2010, using broker quotes. The carrying value of advances for construction contracts was $187.1 million and $186.9 million as of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively.

Note 13. Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements

The following tables present the condensed consolidating statements of income of California Water Service Group (Guarantor and Parent), Cal Water (issuer and wholly-owned consolidated subsidiary of California Water Service Group) and other wholly-owned subsidiaries of the Company for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, the condensed consolidating statements of cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 and the condensed consolidating balance sheets as of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010. The information is presented utilizing the equity method of accounting for investments in consolidating subsidiaries.

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CALIFORNIA WATER SERVICE GROUP

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET

As of September 30, 2011

(In thousands)

	Parent Company			Cal Water			All Other Subsidiaries			Consolidating Adjustments			Consolidated
ASSETS
Utility plant:
Utility plant	$	324		$	1,778,059		$	156,263		$	(7,199	)	$	1,927,447
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	(37		)	(551,661		)	(29,665		)	1,354			(580,009		)
Net utility plant	287			1,226,398			126,598			(5,845		)	1,347,438
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	2,169			41,475			3,068						46,712
Receivables and unbilled revenue				87,978			3,979						91,957
Receivables from affiliates	21,799			9,690			3,327			(34,816		)
Other current assets	87			15,451			1,009						16,547
Total current assets	24,055			154,594			11,383			(34,816		)	155,216
Other assets:
Regulatory assets				260,130			2,204						262,334
Investments in affiliates	450,565									(450,565		)
Long-term affiliate notes receivable	31,616			7,844			1,872			(41,332		)
Other assets	1,093			28,244			7,032			(205		)	36,164
Total other assets	483,274			296,218			11,108			(492,102		)	298,498
	$	507,616		$	1,677,210		$	149,089		$	(532,763	)	$	1,801,152
CAPITALIZATION AND LIABILITIES
Capitalization:
Common stockholders equity	$	454,055		$	420,916		$	35,286		$	(456,202	)	$	454,055
Affiliate long-term debt	9,716						31,616			(41,332		)
Long-term debt, less current maturities				473,805			3,754						477,559
Total capitalization	463,771			894,721			70,656			(497,534		)	931,614
Current liabilities:
Current maturities of long-term debt				1,709			683						2,392
Short-term borrowings	39,860												39,860
Payables to affiliates	4,079			2			30,735			(34,816		)
Accounts payable				55,546			3,008						58,554
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	467			57,494			1,887			71			59,919
Total current liabilities	44,406			114,751			36,313			(34,745		)	160,725
Unamortized investment tax credits				2,328									2,328
Deferred income taxes, net	(561		)	122,269			3,774			(484		)	124,998
Pension and postretirement benefits other than pensions				162,307									162,307
Regulatory and other liabilities				68,707			7,985						76,692
Advances for construction				185,703			1,443						187,146
Contributions in aid of construction				126,424			28,918						155,342
	$	507,616		$	1,677,210		$	149,089		$	(532,763	)	$	1,801,152

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CALIFORNIA WATER SERVICE GROUP

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET

As of December 31, 2010

(In thousands)

	Parent Company			Cal Water			All Other Subsidiaries			Consolidating Adjustments			Consolidated
ASSETS
Utility plant:
Utility plant	$	324		$	1,710,213		$	140,428		$	(7,199	)	$	1,843,766
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization				(522,486		)	(28,244		)	1,261			(549,469		)
Net utility plant	324			1,187,727			112,184			(5,938		)	1,294,297
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	188			40,446			1,643						42,277
Receivables				56,068			3,840						59,908
Receivables from affiliates	3,478			4,907			3,621			(12,006		)
Other current assets	181			22,842			1,002						24,025
Total current assets	3,847			124,263			10,106			(12,006		)	126,210
Other assets:
Regulatory assets				227,440			2,137						229,577
Investments in affiliates	434,322									(434,322		)
Long-term affiliate notes receivable	34,517			7,880			1,928			(44,325		)
Other assets	848			34,153			7,186			(205		)	41,982
Total other assets	469,687			269,473			11,251			(478,852		)	271,559
	$	473,858		$	1,581,463		$	133,541		$	(496,796	)	$	1,692,066
CAPITALIZATION AND LIABILITIES
Capitalization:
Common stockholders equity	$	435,527		$	402,402		$	37,611		$	(440,014	)	$	435,526
Affiliate long-term debt	9,808						34,517			(44,325		)
Long-term debt, less current maturities				475,030			4,151						479,181
Total capitalization	445,335			877,432			76,279			(484,339		)	914,707
Current liabilities:
Current maturities of long-term debt				1,709			671						2,380
Short-term borrowings	23,750												23,750
Payables to affiliates	5,265			56			6,685			(12,006		)
Accounts payable				38,204			4,326						42,530
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	67			34,444			4,145			32			38,688
Total current liabilities	29,082			74,413			15,827			(11,974		)	107,348
Unamortized investment tax credits				2,244									2,244
Deferred income taxes, net	(559		)	105,786			2,340			(483		)	107,084
Pension and postretirement benefits other than pensions				155,224									155,224
Regulatory and other liabilities				74,057			8,147						82,204
Advances for construction				185,332			1,567						186,899
Contributions in aid of construction				106,975			29,381						136,356
	$	473,858		$	1,581,463		$	133,541		$	(496,796	)	$	1,692,066

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CALIFORNIA WATER SERVICE GROUP

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF INCOME

For the three months ended September 30, 2011

(In thousands)

	Parent Company			Cal Water			All Other Subsidiaries			Consolidating Adjustments			Consolidated
Operating revenue	$			$	160,297		$	8,957		$			$	169,254
Operating expenses:
Operations:
Water production costs				58,913			2,680						61,593
Administrative and general				19,359			2,287						21,646
Other operations				15,746			1,886			(126		)	17,506
Maintenance				4,417			234						4,651
Depreciation and amortization				12,110			650			(31		)	12,729
Income tax (benefit) expense	(135		)	15,659			(24		)	381			15,881
Property and other taxes				4,537			633						5,170
Total operating expenses	(135		)	130,741			8,346			224			139,176
Net operating income	135			29,556			611			(224		)	30,078
Other Income and Expenses:
Non-regulated revenue	558			3,033			678			(844		)	3,425
Non-regulated expense, net				(6,005		)	(484		)				(6,489		)
Gain on sale on non-utility property
Income tax (expense) on other income and expense	(227		)	1,211			(99		)	369			1,254
Net other income (expense)	331			(1,761		)	95			(475		)	(1,810		)
Interest:
Interest expense	330			7,764			630			(717		)	8,007
Less: capitalized interest				(434		)	(240		)				(674		)
Net interest expense	330			7,330			390			(717		)	7,333
Equity earnings of subsidiaries	20,799									(20,799		)
Net income	$	20,935		$	20,465		$	316		$	(20,781	)	$	20,935

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CALIFORNIA WATER SERVICE GROUP

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF INCOME

For the nine months ended September 30, 2011

(In thousands)

	Parent Company			Cal Water			All Other Subsidiaries			Consolidating Adjustments			Consolidated
Operating revenue	$			$	375,851		$	22,949		$			$	398,800
Operating expenses:
Operations:
Water production costs				131,004			7,292						138,296
Administrative and general				56,582			6,120						62,702
Other operations				42,741			5,518			(380		)	47,879
Maintenance				14,567			571						15,138
Depreciation and amortization				35,802			1,981			(93		)	37,690
Income tax (benefit) expense	(427		)	23,270			(714		)	1,149			23,278
Property and other taxes				12,505			1,731						14,236
Total operating expenses	(427		)	316,471			22,499			676			339,219
Net operating income	427			59,380			450			(676		)	59,581
Other Income and Expenses:
Non-regulated revenue	1,647			8,760			3,595			(2,505		)	11,497
Non-regulated expense, net				(10,815		)	(2,607		)				(13,422		)
Gain on sale of properties				62									62
Income tax (expense) on other income and expense	(671		)	812			(476		)	1,111			776
Net other income (expense)	976			(1,181		)	512			(1,394		)	(1,087		)
Interest:
Interest expense	1,047			23,800			1,834			(2,125		)	24,556
Less: capitalized interest				(1,298		)	(608		)				(1,906		)
Net interest expense	1,047			22,502			1,226			(2,125		)	22,650
Equity earnings of subsidiaries	35,488									(35,488		)
Net income (loss)	$	35,844		$	35,697		$	(264	)	$	(35,433	)	$	35,844

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CALIFORNIA WATER SERVICE GROUP

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF INCOME

For the three months ended September 30, 2010

(In thousands)

	Parent Company			Cal Water			All Other Subsidiaries			Consolidating Adjustments			Consolidated
Operating revenue	$			$	137,410		$	8,939		$			$	146,349
Operating expenses:
Operations:
Water production costs				52,288			2,346						54,634
Administrative and general	37			15,976			1,781						17,794
Other operations				13,158			1,985			(254		)	14,889
Maintenance				4,673			180						4,853
Depreciation and amortization				10,141			858			(65		)	10,934
Income tax (benefit) expenses	(662		)	13,288			(210		)	409			12,825
Property and other taxes				3,941			614						4,555
Total operating expenses	(625		)	113,465			7,554			90			120,484
Net operating income	625			23,945			1,385			(90		)	25,865
Other Income and Expenses:
Non-regulated revenue	588			2,638			1,395			(771		)	3,850
Non-regulated expense, net				(1,007		)	(1,207		)				(2,214		)
Gain on sale of non-utility property				33									33
Income tax benefit (expense) on other income and expense	(240		)	(678		)	(137		)	381			(674		)
Net other income	348			986			51			(390		)	995
Interest:
Interest expense	215			6,693			695			(645		)	6,958
Less: capitalized interest				(752		)	268						(484		)
Net interest expense	215			5,941			963			(645		)	6,474
Equity earnings of subsidiaries	19,628									(19,628		)
Net income	$	20,386		$	18,990		$	473		$	(19,463	)	$	20,386

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CALIFORNIA WATER SERVICE GROUP

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF INCOME

For the nine months ended September 30, 2010

(In thousands)

	Parent Company			Cal Water			All Other Subsidiaries			Consolidating Adjustments			Consolidated
Operating revenue	$			$	332,399		$	22,543		$			$	354,942
Operating expenses:
Operations:
Water production costs				120,311			6,612						126,923
Administrative and general	37			47,997			5,684						53,718
Other operations				37,885			5,698			(379		)	43,204
Maintenance				14,429			533						14,962
Depreciation and amortization				30,421			2,041			(98		)	32,364
Income tax (benefit) expense	(757		)	21,910			(2		)	173			21,324
Property and other taxes				10,889			1,656						12,545
Total operating expenses	(720		)	283,842			22,222			(304		)	305,040
Net operating income	720			48,557			321			304			49,902
Other Income and Expenses:
Non-regulated revenue	1,118			7,410			4,109			(1,674		)	10,963
Non-regulated expense, net				(6,182		)	(3,269		)				(9,451		)
Gain on sale of non-utility property				33									33
Income tax (expense) benefit on other income and expense	(456		)	(514		)	(407		)	763			(614		)
Net other income	662			747			433			(911		)	931
Interest:
Interest expense	449			19,792			1,440			(1,295		)	20,386
Less: capitalized interest				(2,012		)	(326		)				(2,338		)
Net interest expense	449			17,780			1,114			(1,295		)	18,048
Gross income	933			31,524			(360		)	688			32,785
Equity earnings of subsidiaries	31,852									(31,852		)
Net income (loss)	$	32,785		$	31,524		$	(360	)	$	(31,164	)	$	32,785

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CALIFORNIA WATER SERVICE GROUP

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

For the nine months ended September 30, 2011

(In thousands)

	Parent Company			Cal Water			All Other Subsidiaries			Consolidating Adjustments			Consolidated
Operating activities:
Net income (loss)	$	35,844		$	35,697		$	(264	)	$	(35,433	)	$	35,844
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Equity earnings of subsidiaries	(35,488		)							35,488
Dividends received from affiliates	19,245									(19,245		)
Depreciation and amortization	37			36,986			2,083			(93		)	39,013
Change in value of life insurance contracts				2,829									2,829
Gain on sale of non-utility assets				(62		)							(62		)
Other changes in noncurrent assets and liabilities	(248		)	1,326			645						1,723
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Other changes, net	1,460			20,628			(3,748		)	37			18,377
Net adjustments	(14,994		)	61,707			(1,020		)	16,187			61,880
Net cash provided by operating activities	20,850			97,404			(1,284		)	(19,246		)	97,724
Investing activities:
Utility plant expenditures				(72,502		)	(17,015		)				(89,517		)
Purchase of life insurance				(1,744		)							(1,744		)
Restricted cash				(114		)							(114		)
Net changes in affiliate advances	(17,230		)	(4,835		)				22,065
Proceeds from affiliate long-term debt	618			34			53			(705		)
Proceeds from sale of non-utility assets				64									64
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(16,612		)	(79,097		)	(16,962		)	21,360			(91,311		)
Financing Activities:
Short-term borrowings	16,110												16,110
Net changes in affiliate advances							22,157			(22,157		)
Repayment of affiliate long-term borrowings	(87		)				(711		)	798
Proceeds from long-term debt							135						135
Repayment of long-term borrowings				(1,225		)	(519		)				(1,744		)
Advances and contributions in aid for construction				5,559			681						6,240
Refunds of advances for construction				(4,429		)	(10		)				(4,439		)
Dividends paid to non-affiliates	(19,245		)										(19,245		)
Dividends paid to affiliates				(17,183		)	(2,062		)	19,245
Issuance of common stock	965												965
Net cash (used in) financing activities	(2,257		)	(17,278		)	19,671			(2,114		)	(1,978		)
Change in cash and cash equivalents	1,981			1,029			1,425						4,435
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	188			40,446			1,643						42,277
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	2,169		$	41,475		$	3,068		$			$	46,712

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CALIFORNIA WATER SERVICE GROUP

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

For the nine months ended September 30, 2010

(In thousands)

	Parent Company			Cal Water			All Other Subsidiaries			Consolidating Adjustments			Consolidated
Operating activities:
Net income (loss)	$	32,785		$	31,524		$	(360	)	$	(31,164	)	$	32,785
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Equity earnings of subsidiaries	(31,852		)							31,852
Dividends received from affiliates	18,556									(18,556		)
Depreciation and amortization				32,420			2,266			(98		)	34,588
Gain on sale of non-utility property				(33		)							(33		)
Change in value of life insurance contracts				(1,308		)							(1,308		)
Other changes in noncurrent assets and liabilities				2,169			1,169			(630		)	2,708
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Net increase (decrease) in advances to affiliates	(15,522		)	2,089			13,433
Other changes, net	1,252			6,554			880			40			8,726
Net adjustments	(27,566		)	41,891			17,748			12,608			44,681
Net cash provided by operating activities	5,219			73,415			17,388			(18,556		)	77,466
Investing activities:
Utility plant expenditures				(84,418		)	(14,923		)				(99,341		)
Sale of non-utility property				33									33
Purchase of life insurance				(1,798		)							(1,798		)
Restricted cash				2,991									2,991
Proceeds from affiliates long-term debt	1,736									(1,736		)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	1,736			(83,192		)	(14,923		)	(1,736		)	(98,115		)
Financing Activities:
Short-term borrowings	12,250			59,000									71,250
Repayment of short-term borrowings	(2,000		)	(25,000		)							(27,000		)
Repayment of affiliate long-term borrowings							(1,736		)	1,736
Proceeds from long-term debt				5,805			2,164						7,969
Repayment of long-term borrowings				(11,214		)	(1,318		)				(12,532		)
Advances and contributions in aid for construction				3,190			68						3,258
Refunds of advances for construction				(4,669		)	(18		)				(4,687		)
Dividends paid to non-affiliates	(18,556		)										(18,556		)
Dividends paid to affiliates				(16,993		)	(1,563		)	18,556
Issuance of common stock	819												819
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	(7,487		)	10,119			(2,403		)	20,292			20,521
Change in cash and cash equivalents	(532		)	342			62						(128		)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	532			6,000			3,334						9,866
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$			$	6,342		$	3,396		$			$	9,738

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Item 2.

MANAGEMENTS DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF

FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

(Dollar amounts in thousands, except where otherwise noted and per share amounts)

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 (Act). Forward-looking statements in this quarterly report are based on currently available information, expectations, estimates, assumptions and projections, and our managements 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:

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

· changes in regulatory commissions policies and procedures;

· the timeliness of regulatory commissions actions concerning rate relief;

· changes in the capital markets and access to sufficient capital on satisfactory terms;

· new legislation;

· changes in accounting valuations and estimates;

· changes in accounting treatment for regulated companies, including adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards, if required;

· electric power interruptions;

· increases in suppliers prices and the availability of supplies including water and power;

· fluctuations in interest rates;

· changes in environmental compliance and water quality requirements;

· acquisitions and the ability to successfully integrate acquired companies;

· the ability to successfully implement business plans;

· civil disturbances or terrorist threats or acts, or apprehension about the possible future occurrences of acts of this type;

· the involvement of the United States in war or other hostilities;

· our ability to attract and retain qualified employees;

· labor relations matters as we negotiate with the unions;

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· federal health care law changes could result in increases to Company health care costs and additional income tax expenses in future years;

· changes in federal and state incoming tax regulations and treatment of such by regulatory commissions;

· implementation of new information technology systems;

· changes in operations that result in an impairment to acquisition goodwill;

· 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;

· general economic conditions, including changes in customer growth patterns and our ability to collect billed revenue from customers;

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

· the impact of weather on water sales and operating results;

· the ability to satisfy requirements related to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and other regulations on internal controls; and

· the risks set forth in Risk Factors included elsewhere in this quarterly report.

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 accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP) and as directed by the regulatory commissions to which we are subject. The process of preparing financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires the use of estimates and assumptions on the part of management. The estimates and assumptions used by management are based on historical experience and our 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 and financial condition. These policies and their key characteristics are discussed in detail in the 2010 Form 10-K. They include:

· revenue recognition and the water revenue adjustment mechanism;

· expense balancing and memorandum accounts;

· modified cost balancing accounts;

· regulatory utility accounting;

· income taxes;

· pension benefits;

· workers compensation and other claims;

· goodwill accounting and evaluation for impairment; and

· contingencies

For the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2011, there were no changes in the methodology for computing critical accounting estimates, no additional accounting estimates met the standards for critical accounting policies, and there were no material changes to the important assumptions underlying the critical accounting estimates.

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RESULTS OF THIRD QUARTER 2011 OPERATIONS COMPARED TO

THIRD QUARTER 2010 OPERATIONS

Amounts in thousands except share data

Overview

Third quarter of 2011 net income was $20.9 million equivalent to $0.50 per diluted common share compared to net income of $20.4 million or $0.49 per diluted common share in the third quarter of 2010. The increase in net income is primarily attributable to 2011 rate increases from the General Rate Case (GRC), which was partially offset by higher operating and interest expenses and an unrealized loss on our benefit plan insurance investments.

Operating Revenue

Operating revenue increased $22.9 million or 16% to $169.3 million in the third quarter of 2011. As disclosed in the following table, the increase was primarily due to rate increases.

The factors that primarily impacted the operating revenue for the third quarter of 2011 compared to 2010 are:

Rate increases	$	21,549
Net change due to actual versus adopted results, usage, and other	1,357
Net operating revenue increase	$	22,906

The net change due to actual versus adopted results, usage, and other in the above table refers primarily to the revenue impact year over year of the change in revenue recognized by the WRAM and MCBA. The WRAM is impacted by changes in consumption patterns from our historical trends as well as an increase in conservation efforts. The MCBA, which records the differences in production costs from the adopted costs, is recorded as an element of revenue as it represents pass through costs which are billed to customers. The MCBA is impacted by changes in total production quantities, the production mix of the source of water, the price paid for purchased water and power, and the amount of pump taxes paid.

The components of the rate increases are listed in the following table:

General rate case (GRC) increases	$	13,924
Purchase water offset increases	6,991
Step rate increases
Other	634
Total increase in rates	$	21,549

Total Operating Expenses

Total operating expenses were $139.2 million for the third quarter of 2011, versus $120.5 million for the same period in 2010, a 16% increase.

Water production expense consists of purchased water, purchased power, and pump taxes. It represents the largest component of total operating expenses, accounting for approximately 44% of total operating expenses in the third quarter of 2011. Water production expenses increased $7.0 million, or 13%, during the third quarter of 2011 compared to the same period last year due to purchased water and power price increases. These cost increases were partially offset by reductions in customer usage. Our wholly-owned operating subsidiaries, Washington Water, New Mexico Water, and Hawaii Water obtain all of their water supply from wells.

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

	Three Months Ended September 30
	2011		2010
Well production	50	%	51	%
Purchased	45	%	43	%
Surface	5	%	6	%
Total	100	%	100	%

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

	Three Months Ended September 30
	2011		2010		Change
Purchased water	$	47,651	$	40,514	$	7,136
Purchased power	10,866		10,832		33
Pump taxes	3,075		3,288		(212		)
Total	$	61,592	$	54,634	$	6,957

Purchased water costs increased due to price increases from water wholesalers. Total water production, measured in acre feet, decreased 4% during the third quarter of 2011 as compared with the third quarter of 2010 due to lower customer usage.

Administrative and general expense and other operations expense increased 20% to $39.2 million. The primary reasons for the increase were increases in employee benefits and wage costs, and conservation program expenses during the third quarter of 2011. At September 30, 2011, there were 1,141 employees and at September 30, 2010, there were 1,041 employees.

Maintenance expenses decreased by 4% to $4.7 million in the third quarter of 2011 compared to $4.9 million in the third quarter of 2010, due to a decrease in main and service repairs. Depreciation and amortization expense increased $1.8 million, or 16%, due to depreciation rate changes in Cal Waters 2009 GRC effective January 1, 2011, and 2010 capital additions.

Federal and state income taxes charged to operating expenses and other income and expenses increased $1.1 million, from a provision of $13.5 million in the third quarter of 2010 to $14.6 million in the third quarter of 2011, due to an increase in pretax income. We expect the effective tax rate to be between 38% and 40% for fiscal year 2011.

Other Income and Expense

Other income, net of income taxes, decreased $2.8 million during the third quarter of 2011 mostly due to a $2.9 million unrealized loss on our benefit plan insurance investments in 2011 compared to an unrealized gain of $1.4 million in 2010.

Interest Expense

Total interest expense, net of interest capitalized, increased $0.9 million to $7.3 million for the third quarter of 2011 compared to the same period last year. This increase was attributable to the issuance of the $100 million First Mortgage Bond, Series PPP, in November 2010, and additional borrowings on the short-term lines of credit.

Company Health Care Benefits

In March 2010, both the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (P.L. 111-148) and Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act (H.R. 4872) were enacted. We have not determined the impact of this legislation on the Companys health care costs during 2011 and in future years. However, we anticipate that the Companys health care and other costs will increase as a result of the new federal health care laws and based on available information. A new memorandum account was established for Cal Water, effective January 1, 2011, to account for health care cost changes due to federal legislation, as these costs were not included in the 2009 GRC decision.

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RESULTS OF THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 2011 COMPARED TO

THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 2010 OPERATIONS

Amounts in thousands except per share data

Overview

Net income for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2011, was $35.8 million, or $0.86 per diluted common share compared to net income of $32.8 million or $0.79 per diluted common share for the nine months ended September 30, 2010. The increase in net income is primarily attributable to rate increases effective January 1, 2011 from Cal Waters 2009 GRC, which were partially offset by higher operating and interest expenses and an unrealized loss on our benefit plan insurance investments.

Operating Revenue

Operating revenue increased $43.9 million, or 12%, to $398.8 million in the nine-month period ended September 30, 2011. As disclosed in the following table, the increase was primarily due to increases in rates.

The factors that affected the operating revenue for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2011 compared to 2010 are:

Rate increases	$	40,681
Net change due to actual versus adopted results, usage, and other	3,178
Net changes in operating revenue	$	43,859

The components of the rate increases are listed in the following table:

General rate case (GRC) increases	$	22,226
Purchased water offset increase	15,335
Step rate increases	1,815
Other	1,305
Total increase in rates	$	40,681

Total Operating Expenses

Total operating expenses were $339.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2011, versus $305.0 million for the same period in 2010, an 11% increase.

Water production expense consists of purchased water, purchased power and pump taxes. Water production expense represents the largest component of total operating expenses, accounting for approximately 41% of total operating expenses. Water production expenses increased $11.3 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2011, or 9% compared to the same period last year due to increased cost of purchased water and pump taxes. Our wholly-owned operating subsidiaries, Washington Water, New Mexico Water, and Hawaii Water obtain all of their water supply from wells.

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

	Nine Months Ended September 30
	2011		2010
Well production	48	%	49	%
Purchased	46	%	45	%
Surface	6	%	6	%
Total	100	%	100	%

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

	Nine Months Ended September 30
	2011		2010		Change
Purchased water	$	108,121	$	96,786	$	11,335
Purchased power	23,198		23,416		(218		)
Pump taxes	6,977		6,721		256
Total	$	138,296	$	126,923	$	11,373

Purchased water costs increased due to higher prices from wholesalers. Pump taxes were higher due to increased production from wells subject to pump taxes. Total water production, measured in acre feet, decreased 2% for the first nine months of 2011 compared to the same period last year due to decreased customer usage.

Administration and general and other operations expenses were $110.6 million, increasing $13.7 million, or 14%, for the nine months ended September 30, 2011. The increase was primarily attributable to increases in employee benefits and wage costs, and conservation program expenses during the nine months ended September 30, 2011.

Maintenance expense increased $0.2 million, or 1%, for the nine months ended September 30, 2011, to $15.1 million due to repairs of mains, water treatment facilities, and wells. Depreciation and amortization expense increased $5.3 million, or 16%, due to depreciation rate changes in Cal Waters 2009 GRC effective January 1, 2011, and 2010 capital additions.

Federal and state income taxes increased $0.6 million, or 3%, for the nine months ended September 30, 2011, due to increased pre-tax income. We expect the effective tax rate to be between 38% and 40% for 2011.

Other Income and Expense

Other income, net of income taxes, was a loss of $1.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2011, compared to a gain of $0.9 million in the same period last year, which was a decrease of $2.0 million. The decrease was due to a $2.8 million unrealized loss on our benefit plan insurance investments in 2011 compared to an unrealized gain of $1.3 million in 2010 and a $0.6 million of costs to evaluate potential acquisitions.

Interest Expense

Net interest expense increased $4.6 million to $22.7 million for the period ended September 30, 2011 compared to the nine-month period ended September 30, 2010. This increase was attributable to the issuance of the $100 million First Mortgage Bond, Series PPP, in November 2010, additional borrowings on the short-term lines of credit, and a reduction of capitalized interest charged to construction projects during the first nine months of 2011.

Company Health Care Benefits

REGULATORY MATTERS

2009 California General Rate Case Filing

On July 2, 2009, Cal Water filed its required application for a general review of rates for all operating districts and general operations. The application, A.09-07-001, requested an annual increase in rates of $70.6 million on January 1, 2011, $24.8 million on January 1, 2012, and $24.8 million on January 1, 2013. On December 9, 2010, the CPUC issued Decision (D.) 10-12-017, which approved a settlement between Cal Water, the Division of Ratepayer Advocates, and several intervenors representing the interests of individual district customers. This decision allows for revenue increases of $25.4 million or 5.6% effective January 1, 2011. The decision also authorized Cal Water to file for increases of $9.6 million or 2.0% for 2012, and $9.0 million or 2.0% for 2013, in each case subject to adjustment for indexed inflation and contingent upon passing a weather normalized earnings test.

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This decision also allows for offset increases after construction of seventy-seven large capital projects with an estimated cost of $73.0 million in various operating districts.

In addition, Cal Water was authorized to make a deviation from its escalation expense and exclude employee health care, retiree health insurance, and conservation expenses from its escalation filings in 2012 and 2013. For these three significant expense items, the CPUC has enumerated fixed three-year budgets. It is anticipated that revenue approved in rates for these areas will more closely align with the actual expenses now that this change has been initiated.

The CPUC also authorized a Pension Balancing Account to track the difference between authorized pension contributions included in rates and the costs actually incurred. It is anticipated that this account will allow Cal Water to reduce some of the volatility it experiences in regard to these costs. A regulatory liability in the amount of $1.5 million was recorded as of September 30, 2011.

Cal Water was also authorized to combine the rates and tariffs of the South San Francisco and the Mid Peninsula Districts, located on the San Francisco peninsula, into a single ratemaking area in 2011. This new ratemaking area is known as the Bayshore District. Previously, the two separate districts had been operated out of a combined location.

Due to the transition between a phased rate case and a total company filing, the CPUC previously delayed the rate cases of sixteen Cal Water districts. However, to compensate for this delay, the CPUC authorized interim rates from the authorized effective date under the old rate case plan. The difference between revenue requirements that were effective in the interim period and those calculated based on a final determination in the 2009 general rate case filing are being recovered as customer surcharges over a three-year period. Cal Water anticipates these surcharges will recover $3.3 million in 2011, $2.2 million in 2012, and $1.2 million in 2013.

Request for MTBE regulatory treatment

The CPUC in its Decision (D.) 10-10-018 issued rules for treating contamination proceeds generally. Subsequently, the CPUCs D.11-03-043 resolved Cal Waters separate application for treatment of MTBE proceeds by ordering continued tracking of the proceeds and expenditures until litigation and remediation are both complete. The new rules allow Cal Water to file an advice letter to move proceeds from this tracking account into Contributions in Aid of Construction (CIAC) when remediation or replacement projects are complete. Cal Water has completed several such projects totaling $16.7 million. While the advice letters have not been filed for some of these projects, Cal Water believes it is probable the CPUC will treat the invested amounts as CIAC when the advice letters are filed. The Company has reclassified $16.7 million from regulatory and other liabilities to CIAC. Project costs totaling $9.1 million were treated as CIAC in setting rates in the 2009 General Rate Case effective January 1, 2011, so there is no rate impact for this reclassification. For projects not identified in the 2009 General Rate Case, as projects to remediate or replace MTBE-contaminated plant are completed, the Company will book a reclassification from regulatory liabilities to CIAC and adjust rate base during the next GRC.

The CPUCs adopted rules would require all contamination proceeds to be used first to pay transactional expenses, then to make ratepayers whole for costs to ensure the water system complies with the CPUCs water quality standards. The rules allow for a risk-based consideration of proceeds which exceed the costs of the remediation described above and may result in some sharing of excess, or net proceeds. Because treatment or replacement of Cal Waters MTBE contaminated wells will occur over a number of years, and because litigation continues with remaining defendants, a final disposition of Cal Waters memorandum account will occur at an unknown future date. Cal Water will continue to monitor proceeds and remediation and will report to the CPUC in its next GRC. Because of uncertainty surrounding eventual litigation proceeds, remediation capital and operating costs, and the eventual ratemaking treatment of net proceeds as defined by the CPUC, Cal Water cannot predict the future disposition of its partial MTBE settlement proceeds at this time.

Service Line Insurance Billing

As a consequence of D.07-12-055 which resolved Cal Waters 2006 GRC, Cal Water was required to demonstrate that its Extended Service Protection program or its successor complies with CPUC rules. Cal Water made an administrative compliance filing in 2008 which was rejected. Cal Water subsequently filed A.08-05-019 requesting Commission confirmation that the interaction between Cal Water, CWS Utility Services, and Home Service USA complied with all applicable rules. During the proceeding, the CPUC established a memorandum account to record Cal Waters revenues and expenses related to the service line insurance. The application is being processed in 2011 after the CPUC adopted comprehensive rules for the relationships between regulated utilities and their unregulated affiliates and the rules for offering non-tariffed products and services. These rules went into effect on June 30, 2011 as a result of D.10-10-019. The CPUCs ratepayer advocate testified that Cal Waters customers should receive some of the proceeds from the sale of the ESP program as well as other program revenues. While Cal Water challenged these claims and presented its own testimony, the parties were able to reach a settlement on all issues in the case. A $2.0 million regulatory liability was booked as of September 30, 2011. The settlement, which was filed in October 2011, describes the accounting and revenue sharing applicable to the service line insurance program after June 30, 2011 and proposes a monetary

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settlement of $2 million to resolve all issues related to program activity from 2007 through June 30, 2011. The settlement is still subject to approval by the CPUC. Cal Water anticipates that the CPUC will approve the settlement in the fourth quarter of 2011. If approved, the amount would be refunded on customer bills over a twelve month period.

2011 Regulatory Activity to Date

In January 2011, Cal Water filed an advice letter to establish a conservation one-way balancing account in compliance with D.10-12-17. This balancing account tracks the difference between conservation program expenses and adopted rate recovery and would refund any underspending, subject to conditions, after January 1, 2014. This advice letter was approved by the CPUC staff and is effective. A regulatory liability in the amount of $3.9 million was booked as of September 30, 2011.

In January 2011, Cal Water filed advice letters to establish a memorandum account for health care cost changes due to federal legislation and a balancing account for pension costs. These advice letters had been authorized in D.10-12-017. These advice letters were approved by the CPUC staff and are effective.

In February 2011, Cal Water filed advice letters to offset increased purchased water and pump tax rates in five of its regulated districts totaling $7.4 million in annual revenue. Under CPUC advice letter processing rules, Cal Water charges the rates in expense offset advice letters to its customers upon filing. These rates were approved in February 2011. However, expense offsets are dollar-for-dollar increases in revenue to match increased expenses and interact with the WRAM and MCBA mechanisms so that net operating income is not affected by an offset increase.

In February 2011, Resolution W-4870 authorized Cal Water to recover $1.9 million in rates for water conservation expenses from districts in the 2006 GRC. Funds were spent by Cal Water for conservation programs over a thirty-six month period from July 1, 2007 through June 30, 2010 and are recoverable through surcharges over a twelve month period. Cal Water expects to file an advice letter in December 2011 to recover these balances. In March 2011, Cal Water filed two advice letters to refund conservation expenses from districts in the 2005 and 2007 GRCs. Specific funds in these 16 districts were designated to be used for conservation programs and were subject to a one-way balancing account. This one-way balancing account serves to refund unspent conservation money to ratepayers in these districts. In accordance with D.10-12-016, these funds are being refunded over a twelve month amortization period. In summary, Cal Waters net receivable was $1.1 million as of September 30, 2011, for conservation programs for the 2005, 2006, and 2007 GRCs.

In March 2011, Cal Water filed an advice letter for seventeen districts to recoup the net balance of the WRAM and MCBA from 2008 through 2010. The total amount requested was $18.2 million. The recovery period requested was between twelve and thirty-six months, from the April effective date of the advice letter.

Prior to July 2008, Cal Water used expense balancing accounts (also referred to as Incremental Cost Balancing Accounts (ICBA)) to track suppliers rate changes for purchased water, purchased power, and pump taxes, and other costs that are not included in customer water rates. The cost changes are referred to as offsetable expenses, because under certain circumstances, they are collectible from customers (or refunded to customers) in future rates designed to offset cost changes from suppliers. In March 2011, Cal Water filed an advice letter to recover or refund the balance in the ICBA for remaining balances in the account deriving from periods prior to July 2008 over a period of twelve months effective April 1, 2011. The cumulative net receivable in the ICBA as of September 30, 2011, was $0.8 million.

In May and June 2011, Cal Water filed advice letters to offset increased purchased water and pump tax rates in seven of its regulated districts totaling $17.8 million in annual revenue. Under CPUC advice letter processing rules, Cal Water charges the rates in expense offset advice letters to its customers upon filing. These rates were approved in May and June 2011. However, expense offsets are dollar-for-dollar increases in revenue to match increased expenses and interact with the WRAM and MCBA mechanisms so that net operating income is not affected by an offset increase.

In July 2011, Cal Water filed an advice letter to offset increased purchased water and pump tax rates in it East Los Angeles District by $0.3 million in annual revenue. Under CPUC advice letter processing rules, Cal Water charges the rates in expense offset advice letters to its customers upon filing. These rates were approved in May and June 2011. However, expense offsets are dollar-for-dollar increases in revenue to match increased expenses and interact with the WRAM and MCBA mechanisms so that net operating income is not affected by an offset increase.

In July 2011, Cal Water filed a joint petition with the City of Selma to modify the decision of the 2009 General Rate Case to allow for a phasing-in of rates in the Selma District. This petition to modify the 2009 General Rates Case for the Selma District was approved in August 2011 and Cal Water filed an advice letter to lower rates in the Selma District in accordance with this Commission decision. A total of $0.4 million in rates will be deferred until July 2012. At that time, Cal Water will file another advice letter to return rates to the pre phased-in level, which will also include a surcharge to recover this phased-in amount and interest for a three year recovery period.

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During the third quarter of 2011, Cal Water filed for and received approval to establish two additional memorandum accounts. Memorandum accounts track charges or credits that, as described in the Utilitys preliminary statement have been authorized by the Commission; however, deferred charges or credits shown in the memorandum account may be recovered in rates only after a request by the Utility, a showing of their reasonableness, and approval by the Commission. One of these accounts tracks benefits from accelerated tax depreciation due to the Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization, and Job Creation Act of 2010. The CPUC will determine the disposition of amounts recorded in the memorandum account in Cal Waters next GRC. A second account was established to track costs of pursuing litigation against the California Department of Transportation on behalf of ratepayers in the Marysville District.

During the calendar year, Hawaii Water plans to file general rate increase applications with the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission (HPUC) for certain service areas. Hawaii Water expects the HPUC to rule within twelve months on its requests. The Kaanapali Rate Case was filed in December 2010 and is expected to be complete in the fourth quarter 2011. Hawaii Water had requested an additional $1.5 million in revenues. Hawaii Water filed a general rate case for the Pukalani wastewater system in August 2011 requesting $1.3 million in additional annual revenues. At this time, Hawaii Water cannot determine the final amount of rate relief these filings will generate.

In October 2011 Washington Water filed a general rate increase application with the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (WUTC). The application requests $1.7 million in increased annual revenues. Washington Water also requested a mechanism to decouple water sales from revenues similar to the mechanism adopted for Cal Water. At this time, Washington Water cannot determine the final amount of rate relief this filing will generate or the disposition of any policy request contained in the filing.

During 2011 New Mexico Water filed short-form rate increase requests with the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission (PRC) totaling $0.3 million. Short-form filings go into effect unless protested by a significant number of customers or the PRC. These increases went into effect in August 2011.

LIQUIDITY

Cash flows from Operations

Cash flows from operations were $97.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2011. Cash flows from operations is primarily generated by net income and changes in our operating assets and liabilities. Cash generated by operations varies during the year due to the timing of customer billings, contributions to our benefit plans, vendor payments, tax payments, or refunds.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2011, the net WRAM and MCBA accounts receivable increased $22.2 million compared to an increase of $15.0 million in 2010.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2011, we made contributions to our pension and retiree health care plan of $15.9 million compared to $13.2 million paid during the nine months ended September 30, 2010. As approved in the 2009 General Rate Case, we increased the funding level of our pension and retiree health care plan from $29.1 million during 2010 to $31.5 million during 2011.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2011, we received an income tax refund of $4 million. As of September 30, 2011, we recorded a $7 million income tax receivable for our December 31, 2010 federal and state income tax returns which were filed on September 15, 2011. The recent changes to federal income tax regulations due to the Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization and Job Creation Act of 2010, providing additional deductions for assets placed in service after September 8, 2010 and before December 31, 2011, will result in significantly lower federal income tax payments during 2011 compared to the prior year.

The water business is seasonal. Revenue is lower in the cooler winter months and higher in the warm summer months. This seasonality results in the possible need for short-term borrowings under the bank lines of credit in the event cash is not available during the cooler winter months. The increase in cash flows during the summer months allows short-term borrowings to be paid down. Short-term borrowings are used to finance capital expenditures until long-term financing is arranged.

Investing Activities

During the nine months ended September 30, 2011, we had company and developer funded capital expenditures of $89.5 million. For 2011, our Company-funded capital budget is approximately $120 to $140 million.

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Financing Activities

During the first nine months ended September 30, 2011, there were no significant long-term debt or equity offerings; however, the Company and Cal Water entered into new unsecured revolving credit facilities on June 29, 2011, to increase the credit facilities to $100 million and $300 million, respectively, and extend the term for five years. The proceeds from the credit facilities may be used for working capital purposes, including the short-term financing of capital projects. The base loan rate may vary from LIBOR plus 72.5 basis points to LIBOR plus 95 basis points, depending on the Companys total capitalization ratio. Likewise, the unused commitment fee may vary from 8 basis points to 12.5 basis points based on the same ratio. Currently, the Company expects its pricing to be LIBOR plus 87.5 basis points with a 10 basis point unused commitment fee based on its current capitalization.

We borrowed $16.1 million on our bank lines of credit and advances and contributions in aid of construction increased $6.2 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2011, which was offset by refunds to developers of $4.4 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2011.

Bond principal and other long-term debt payments were $1.7 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2011, compared to $12.5 million during the same period last year.

We raised the dividend rate in January 2011 to a post-split annual rate of $0.615 from the 2010 rate of $0.595. The dividend rate has increased $0.005 each year from 2005 through 2010.

Short-Term and Long-Term Debt

Short-term liquidity is provided by the bank lines of credit described above and by internally generated funds. Long-term financing is accomplished through the use of both debt and equity. As of September 30, 2011, there were short-term borrowings of $39.9 million outstanding on the unsecured revolving line of credit compared to $23.8 million as of December 31, 2010.

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.

California Water Service Group and subsidiaries which it designates may borrow up to $100 million under its new short-term credit facility. California Water Service Company may borrow up to $300 million under its new credit facility; however, all borrowings need to be repaid within twelve months unless otherwise authorized by the CPUC.

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 and interest coverage ratio. As of September 30, 2011, we have met all of the covenant requirements and are eligible to use the full amounts of these credit agreements.

There was $0.1 million of new debt added to long-term debt during the nine months ended September 30, 2011, and we made principal payments on Cal Waters first mortgage bonds and other long-term debt of $1.7 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2011.

Long-term financing, which includes senior notes, other debt securities, and common stock, has typically been used to replace short-term borrowings and fund capital expenditures. Internally generated funds, after making dividend payments, provide positive cash flow, but have not been at a level to meet the needs of our capital expenditure requirements. Management expects this trend to continue given our capital expenditures plan for the next five years. Some capital 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 refundable. Management believes long-term financing is available to meet our cash flow needs through issuances in both debt and equity instruments.

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Dividends, Book Value and Shareholders

The third quarter common stock dividend of $0.15375 per share was paid on August 19, 2011, compared to a quarterly dividend in the third quarter of 2010 of $0.14875. This was our 266th consecutive quarterly dividend. Annualized, the 2011 dividend rate is $0.615 per common share, compared to $0.595 in 2010. For the full year 2010, the payout ratio was 66% of net income. On a long-term basis, our goal is to achieve a dividend payout ratio of 60% of net income.

At its October 26, 2011 meeting, the Board declared the fourth quarter dividend of $0.15375 per share payable on November 18, 2011, to stockholders of record on November 7, 2011. This will be our 267th consecutive quarterly dividend.

2011 Financing Plan

Cal Water is currently reviewing its financing needs for the balance of 2011 and 2012. We intend to fund our capital needs in future periods through a relatively balanced approach between long-term debt and equity. The Company and Cal Water have a five-year syndicated unsecured revolving line of credit of $100 million and $300 million, respectively for short-term borrowings. As of September 30, 2011, the Companys availability on its new unsecured revolving line of credit was $60.1 million and Cal Waters availability on its new unsecured revolving line of credit was $300 million.

New business Opportunities

The Lower Colorado River Authority LCRA announced on October 20, 2011, that it had been pursuing a memorandum of understanding with the Company among other bidders for the sale of certain water and wastewater utilities but that the criteria set by LCRA for the sale had not been met. Negotiations between the Company and LCRA have ceased. This disclosure is made in response to the statements by LCRA and does not represent a change in the Companys position that it will not comment on possible acquisitions or dispositions.

Book Value and Stockholders of Record

Book value per common share was $10.86 at September 30, 2011 compared to $10.45 at December 31, 2010.

There are approximately 2,400 (not in thousands) stockholders of record of our common stock, as of October 26, 2011.

Utility Plant Expenditures

During the nine months ended September 30, 2011, capital expenditures totaled $89.5 million for company-funded and developer-funded projects. The planned 2011 company-funded capital expenditure budget is approximately $120 to $140 million. The actual amount may vary from the budget number due to timing of actual payments related to current year projects and prior year projects. We do not control third-party-funded capital expenditures and therefore are unable to estimate the amount of such projects for 2011.

At September 30, 2011, construction work in progress was $107.0 million compared to $141.0 million at September 30, 2010. 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 managements knowledge, we are meeting water quality, environmental, and other regulatory standards for all company-owned systems.

Californias 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 Waters 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 replenish underground water aquifers and fill reservoirs, providing the water supply for subsequent delivery to customers. To date, snowpack water content and rainfall accumulation during the 2010 2011 water year is 145% of normal (as of October 1, 2011 per the California Department of Water Resources). Management believes that supply pumped from underground aquifers and purchased from wholesale suppliers will be adequate to meet customer demand during 2011 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.

Table of Contents

CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS

During the nine months ended September 30, 2011, there were no material changes in contractual obligations outside the normal course of business.

Item 3.

QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURE ABOUT MARKET RISK

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

Historically, the CPUCs balancing account or offsetable expense procedures allowed for increases in purchased water and purchased power costs to be passed on to consumers. Traditionally, a significant percentage of our net income and cash flows comes from California regulated operations; therefore the CPUCs actions have a significant impact on our business. See Item 2, Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations Critical Accounting Policies -Expense Balancing and Memorandum Accounts and 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) under the Exchange Act) that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commissions rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our CEO and CFO, as appropriate, to allow for timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

In designing and evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, management 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 CEO and our CFO, evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of September 30, 2011. Based on that evaluation, we concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective at the reasonable assurance level.

(b) Changes to Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

There was no change in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the last fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

PART II OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.

LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

Information with respect to this item may be found under the subheading Contingencies in Note 10 to the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 1 of Part 1 hereof, which is incorporated herein by reference.

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Item 1A.

RISK FACTORS

There have been no material changes to the Companys risk factors set forth in Part I, Item 1A of the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year-ended December 31, 2010, filed with the SEC on March 1, 2011.

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Item 6.

EXHIBIT INDEX

Incorporated by Reference

Exhibit
Number

Exhibit Title

Form

File No.

Exhibit
No.

Filing
Date

Provided
Herewith

3.1

Certificate of Amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation.

8-K

001-13883

3.1

6/10/2011

3.2

Amended & Restated Bylaws

8-K

001-13883

3.2

10/26/2011

10.1

Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of June 29, 2011 among California Water Service Group and certain of its subsidiaries from time to time party thereto, as borrowers, Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent, swing line lender and letter of credit issuer, Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, as sole lead arranger and sole book manager, CoBank, ACB, as syndication agent, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, Bank of China, Los Angeles Branch, and U.S. Bank National Association, as co-documentation agents, and the other lender parties thereto.

8-K

001-13883

10.1

7/1/2011

10.2

Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of June 29, 2011 among California Water Service Company, as borrower, Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent, swing line lender and letter of credit issuer, Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner& Smith Incorporated, as sole lead arranger and sole book manager, CoBank, ACB, as syndication agent, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, Bank of China, Los Angeles Branch, and U.S. Bank National Association, as co-documentation agents, and the other lender parties thereto.

8-K

001-13883

10.2

7/1/2011

31.1

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

31.2

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

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

101.INS

XBRL Instance Document

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 Document

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SIGNATURES

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

	CALIFORNIA WATER SERVICE GROUP
	Registrant

November 4, 2011

	By:	/s/ Martin A. Kropelnicki
		Martin A. Kropelnicki
		Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

Table of Contents

EXHIBIT INDEX

Incorporated by Reference

Exhibit
Number

Exhibit Title

Form

File No.

Exhibit
No.

Filing
Date

Provided
Herewith

3.1

Certificate of Amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation.

8-K

001-13883

3.1

6/10/2011

3.2

Amended & Restated Bylaws

8-K

001-13883

3.2

10/26/2011

10.1

Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of June 29, 2011 among California Water Service Group and certain of its subsidiaries from time to time party thereto, as borrowers, Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent, swing line lender and letter of credit issuer, Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner& Smith Incorporated, as sole lead arranger and sole book manager, CoBank, ACB, as syndication agent, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, Bank of China, Los Angeles Branch, and U.S. Bank National Association, as co-documentation agents, and the other lender parties thereto.

8-K

001-13883

10.1

7/1/2011

10.2

8-K

001-13883

10.2

7/1/2011

31.1

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

31.2

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

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

101.INS

XBRL Instance Document

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 Document

Form: 10-Q

Documents