Washington Water Service Enters Contract to Operate Stroh’s Water System

Rhea-AI Summary

Washington Water Service, a subsidiary of California Water Service Group, has signed an agreement with Stroh’s Water Company to operate and maintain its water system, servicing approximately 1,000 customers. This two-year contract allows for the potential purchase of the system in the future. Washington Water aims to enhance service reliability by interconnecting its East Pierce system with Stroh's. The agreement includes comprehensive operation, maintenance, billing, and customer service responsibilities.

Positive

• Agreement for operating Stroh's Water Company enhances service reliability.
• Potential for future system purchase could lead to strategic growth.

Negative

• None.

Agreement Includes Option for Purchase

GIG HARBOR, Wash., March 31, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Washington Water Service (Washington Water), a subsidiary of California Water Service Group (Group), has entered into an agreement with Stroh’s Water Company (Stroh’s Water) to operate and maintain its water system, which serves about 1,000 customer connections near Washington Water’s existing service areas.

Washington Water plans to interconnect its East Pierce system with the Stroh’s Water system to improve water service reliability to Stroh’s customers. In addition to providing full operation and maintenance (O&M) services of the water system, Washington Water will provide billing, customer service, and emergency response to local customers. The O&M agreement extends for a two-year term, with the opportunity to purchase the system in the future.

“We are committed to providing a reliable supply of safe, high-quality water and excellent service to Stroh’s Water customers, and appreciate the company’s confidence in our expertise to serve them,” said Group’s President and Chief Executive Officer Martin A. Kropelnicki. “We look forward to providing the same quality, service, and value here that we’re committed to delivering throughout our Washington service areas.” 

About Washington Water Service and California Water Service Group
Washington Water Service provides regulated water utility service to 36,000 customer connections in Clallam, Jefferson, Kitsap, Mason, Pierce, King, San Juan, and Thurston counties, as well as wastewater service on Orcas Island.  California Water Service Group is the parent company of regulated subsidiaries California Water Service, Washington Water Service, New Mexico Water Service, and Hawaii Water Service. Together, these companies employ almost 1,200 people who provide water and wastewater service to more than 2 million people in California, Washington, New Mexico, and Hawaii.  California Water Service Group’s common stock trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “CWT.” Additional information is available online at www.calwatergroup.com.

This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning established by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (“Act”). The forward-looking statements are intended to qualify under provisions of the federal securities laws for “safe harbor” treatment established by the Act. Forward-looking statements are based on currently available information, expectations, estimates, assumptions and projections, and management’s judgment about the Company, the water utility industry and general economic conditions. Such words as would, expects, intends, plans, believes, estimates, assumes, anticipates, projects, predicts, forecasts or variations of such words or similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance. They are subject to uncertainty and changes in circumstances. Actual results may vary materially from what is contained in a forward-looking statement. Factors that may cause a result different than expected or anticipated include, but are not limited to: ability to operate Stroh’s Water Company in an accretive manner; natural disasters or calamities, public health crises, pandemics, epidemics, or outbreaks of a contagious disease, such as the recent outbreak of coronavirus (COVID‐19), or any escalation or worsening of the foregoing; governmental and regulatory commissions’ decisions, including decisions on proper disposition of property; consequences of eminent domain actions relating to our water systems; changes in regulatory commissions’ policies and procedures; the timeliness of regulatory commissions’ actions concerning rate relief and other actions; changes in water quality standards; changes in environmental compliance and water quality requirements; electric power interruptions; housing and customer growth trends; the impact of opposition to rate increases; our ability to recover costs; availability of water supplies; issues with the implementation, maintenance or security of our information technology systems; civil disturbances or terrorist threats or acts; the adequacy of our efforts to mitigate physical and cyber security risks and threats; the ability of our enterprise risk management processes to identify or address risks adequately; labor relations matters as we negotiate with unions; changes in customer water use patterns and the effects of conservation; the impact of weather and climate on water quality, water availability, water sales and operating results, and the adequacy of our emergency preparedness; and, other risks and unforeseen events. When considering forward-looking statements, you should keep in mind the cautionary statements included in this paragraph, as well as the annual 10-K, Quarterly 10-Q, and other reports filed from time-to-time with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The Company assumes no obligation to provide public updates of forward-looking statements.

Contact: Yvonne Kingman, (310) 257-1434

FAQ

What is the recent agreement between Washington Water Service and Stroh’s Water Company?

Washington Water Service has entered into a two-year agreement to operate and maintain Stroh’s Water Company's system, which serves about 1,000 customer connections.

How will the operation of Stroh’s Water Company improve service?

Washington Water plans to interconnect its East Pierce system with Stroh’s Water system to enhance water service reliability for customers.

What services will Washington Water provide under the new agreement?

Washington Water will provide operation, maintenance, billing, customer service, and emergency response for Stroh’s Water customers.

Is there an option for Washington Water to purchase Stroh’s Water Company?

Yes, the agreement includes an option for Washington Water to purchase the Stroh’s Water system in the future.

What is the significance of the agreement for California Water Service Group (CWT)?

This agreement allows California Water Service Group to expand its operations and potentially increase its customer base, benefiting its overall business strategy.