Cal Water developed and installed treatment for the contaminant in its impacted water systems in Dixon, Oak Hills (Salinas), Las Lomas (Salinas), and Willows when the same chromium-6 MCL, which was subsequently vacated for administrative reasons, was originally set in 2014. In fact, Cal Water's treatment system design was used as a model for other water utilities. After the MCL was vacated, Cal Water continued to treat those wells to protect customer health and safety.

Cal Water plans to install treatment at a newer well that was brought online in Oak Hills, as well as at another well in Dixon that currently does not serve customers but could, if needed, within the two- to four-year compliance timeline. All other active wells above the MCL in these service areas are already being treated.

"We take our responsibility to protect our customers' health and safety very seriously; that's why we continued to treat impacted water systems after the chromium-6 MCL was temporarily vacated," said Martin A. Kropelnicki, Cal Water Chairman & CEO. "We remain committed to meeting all state and federal standards set to protect public health and safety."

Beyond removing chromium-6 from its affected water sources, Cal Water works to be a responsible steward of the environment. The utility sends the chromium-6 removed through the treatment process to be recycled for use by other industries.

The post Cal Water Will Meet New State Chromium-6 Standard appeared first on California Water Service.

Under the new PFAS regulation, EPA established maximum contaminant levels (MCL) of 4 parts per trillion (ppt) for both PFOA and PFOS; MCLs of 10 ppt for PFHxS, PFNA, and GenX; and a combined Hazard Index of 1.0 for PFBS, PFHxS, PFNA, and GenX. Generally, PFAS are manmade compounds that are found in a number of everyday products; these compounds are soluble in water and can travel long distances. Under the new PFAS regulation, water utilities with impacted water systems across the country are required to monitor for these PFAS by 2027 and to comply with the MCLs and Hazard Index by 2029.

Group's utilities Cal Water, Hawaii Water, New Mexico Water, and Washington Water have a rigorous, coordinated water quality assurance program, and the utilities have protocols in place to test and monitor the water they deliver to customers. In California and Washington, Group's utilities have been complying with previously issued PFAS guidelines issued by State regulators.

Cal Water, Hawaii Water, and New Mexico Water have tested all of their active water sources for a number of PFAS, including the six addressed in the new regulation. Washington Water Service (Washington Water) has tested all of its Group A water system sources, which are water sources subject to the new PFAS regulation. The company began monitoring all of its sources for these PFAS before it was required to do so under the new PFAS regulation, because it believed it was the right thing to do.

"Protecting our customers' health and safety is our highest priority, and we have long supported EPA's establishment of national drinking water standards for the most common PFAS," said Martin A. Kropelnicki, Group Chairman & CEO. "While we did not put the PFAS in the water, we are committed to treating it in accordance with all applicable regulations. Our team has already evaluated the impact of the EPA's proposed regulations so that we could be better prepared to comply with the final set, and we are moving forward to bring any affected sources into compliance with the new MCLs and Hazard Index."

Beyond the new PFAS regulation, Group believes that a comprehensive regulatory approach is needed to properly address PFAS entering water supplies in the United States, including measures such as point-of-use restrictions on PFAS manufacturers, legislation that prohibits the sale and use of certain PFAS-containing products, certification for accurate PFAS testing methods, and establishment of a publicly available database to monitor PFAS sources entering water supplies. Additionally, Group filed lawsuits to hold PFAS manufacturers financially responsible for the costs of monitoring and treating water for PFAS and is pursuing grant funding, where available, to help reduce the financial impact of treatment on its utilities' customers.

The full name of PFOA is perfluorooctanoic acid, of PFOS is perfluorooctane sulfonic acid, of PFHxS is perfluorohexanesulfonic acid, of PFNA is perfluorononanoic acid, of GenX is hexafluoropropylene oxide dimer acid and its ammonium salt, and of PFBS is perfluorobutane sulfonate.

The post Group Utilities Prepared to Comply with New PFAS Regulations appeared first on California Water Service.

The Extended Program, administered by the State Water Resources Control Board, enables water suppliers to apply for financial support on behalf of customers. Cal Water first secured more than $20.8 million about two years ago through the original Water & Wastewater Arrearage Payment Program (Original Program) for past-due balances incurred by residential and commercial customers between March 4, 2020, and June 15, 2021. Through the Extended Program, past-due debt incurred between June 16, 2021, and December 31, 2022, became eligible.

Cal Water will apply credits to affected customers' accounts in the second quarter of 2024. Customers across all of Cal Water's service areas will be notified directly if a credit will be applied to their accounts.

Customers with remaining balances that pre-date the pandemic or were accrued after the Extended Program benefit period ended in 2022 may still take advantage of Cal Water's various interest- and penalty-free payment plans or extensions, subject to certain terms and conditions, to help prevent them from being subject to potential disruptions in water service in the future. Income-eligible customers may also enroll in Cal Water's Customer Assistance Program, which provides qualifying lower-income customers a discount on their monthly service charge.

"We wanted to apply for these funds to help customers impacted by the pandemic," said Martin A. Kropelnicki, Cal Water Chairman & CEO. "We appreciate the funding provided by the State of California to help ease our customers' burden, and we also encourage any customers who are still struggling financially to take advantage of our numerous assistance programs. We are here to help."

In total, Cal Water has secured $103,875,186 through the Original and Extended Programs on behalf of its customers from the State Water Resources Control Board using federal American Rescue Plan Act funds.

The post $83 Million in Relief for Past-Due Balances appeared first on California Water Service.

Group ranked second among water utilities nationwide, based on feedback and analysis regarding trust among customers, employees, and investors. The list spans 23 industries and recognizes the top 700 out of 3,400 of the largest public and private companies by revenue, a field nearly 10% larger than last year. Rankings were determined by market definition-companies headquartered in the United States with annual revenue over $500 million, an independent survey of residents that yielded 97,000 evaluations, and a social listening analysis of more than 532,000 company mentions.

"Our team at California Water Service Group lives by a set of core values that includes, in part, integrity, service, respect, and commitment. We are dedicated to being a leader our customers, communities, employees, and stockholders can trust, and we appreciate this recognition," said Martin A. Kropelnicki, Chairman & CEO.

The full listing is published at www.newsweek.com/rankings/most-trustworthy-companies-america-2024.

The post Group Recognized as Trustworthy Company appeared first on California Water Service.

Cal Water está incorporando un tercer tanque de almacenamiento de agua y una estación de bombas reforzadoras a su sistema, lo cual contribuirá a aumentar el suministro de agua durante los picos de demanda del verano. Construction on the 975,000-gallon tank and booster station began in November 2023 east of downtown Visalia, and is expected to be fully operational by September. So that Visalia customers experience the benefits of the new water storage tank as early as possible in summer, Cal Water will use a portable booster pump prior to completion of the booster station.

"Infrastructure improvements like this ensure that Cal Water maintains a reliable water supply for both everyday and emergency needs," said Stephen Johnson, Cal Water's Visalia District Manager. "It's part of our commitment to delivering quality, service, and value to Visalia residents and businesses."

The facility itself is located in a mostly commercial area, and the majority of the work is being performed between 7:30 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, with no traffic issues anticipated as a result of this project.

The post Infrastructure Upgrade Underway in Visalia appeared first on California Water Service.

According to Chairman, President & Chief Executive Officer Martin A. Kropelnicki, Group took a thoughtful, data-driven approach, partnering with an independent consultant to:

• Understand the target landscape and best practices.
• Analyze baseline and projected activities and emissions over the target timeframe.
• Estimate existing, planned, and potential additional emissions reduction initiatives.
• Model target scenarios and decarbonization roadmaps.
• Develop an interdisciplinary and active strategy to achieve the selected targets.

"We are committed to delivering value to customers and stockholders while pursuing our reduction targets. We project that ambitious renewable portfolio standards in the states where we operate will reduce emissions intensity of the electrical grid, which will support our targeted emissions reductions," Kropelnicki said. "At the same time, we intend to continue to pursue a portfolio of GHG emissions reduction projects focused on fleet electrification, water conservation, onsite solar installations, and renewable electricity procurement. We plan to evolve our decarbonization strategy if warranted by changes in our industry, business, and/or operating environment."

More information regarding Group's ESG strategy is available at www.calwatergroup.com/esg. Group anticipates providing additional details regarding this target and related emissions reduction initiatives in its upcoming 2023 ESG Report, which it expects to publish in May 2024.

The post Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction Target Announced appeared first on California Water Service.

“Infrastructure improvements like this ensure that Cal Water maintains a reliable water supply for both everyday and emergency needs,” said John Freeman, Cal Water's Livermore District Manager.

Installation of the iron pipe and three fire hydrants should take about two months to complete. The majority of the work will be performed between 7:30 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday; however, some work may be performed at night or during the weekends to help alleviate traffic issues.

“We will make every effort to minimize traffic delays during construction, and we will notify customers in advance in those instances when after-hours work is needed,” said Freeman, noting that customers can visit www.calwater.com to ensure that their contact information is up to date, along with their preferences on how they would like to be notified.

Temporary asphalt will be applied until permanent paving is completed.

The post Infrastructure Project Updates for Livermore appeared first on California Water Service.

“Infrastructure improvements like these ensure that Cal Water maintains a reliable water supply for both everyday and emergency needs in our community,” said Brenda Granillo, Cal Water's Salinas District Manager.

Installation of the project on Pajaro Street is expected to be complete in May. The majority of the work will be performed between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday; however, some work may be performed at night or during the weekends to help alleviate traffic issues.

"We will make every effort to minimize traffic delays during construction, and we will notify customers in advance of those instances when after-hours work is needed," said Granillo, noting that customers can visit www.calwater.com to ensure that their contact information is up to date, along with their preferences on how they would like to be notified. Temporary asphalt will be applied until permanent paving is completed.

The post Water Infrastructure Updates for Salinas appeared first on California Water Service.

“Infrastructure improvements like these ensure that Cal Water maintains a reliable water supply for both everyday and emergency needs in our community,” said Brenda Granillo, Cal Water's Salinas District Manager.

Installation of the project on Pajaro Street is expected to be complete in May. The majority of the work will be performed between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday; however, some work may be performed at night or during the weekends to help alleviate traffic issues.

“We will make every effort to minimize traffic delays during construction, and we will notify customers in advance of those instances when after-hours work is needed,” said Granillo, noting that customers can visit their online account to ensure that their contact information is up to date, along with their preferences on how they would like to be notified.

Temporary asphalt will be applied until permanent paving is completed.

The post Infrastructure Upgrades in Salinas appeared first on California Water Service.

“Infrastructure improvements like this ensure that Cal Water maintains a reliable water supply for both everyday and emergency needs,” said Dawn Smithson, Cal Water's Los Altos District Manager.

Installation will take place in the following three phases, with construction expected to take three months:

• Phase One: Starr Way to Barbara Avenue
• Phase Two: Barbara Avenue to Permanente Creek
• Phase Three: Cuesta Drive from Permanente Creek

The majority of the work will be performed between 7:30 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday; however, some work may be performed at night or during the weekends to help alleviate traffic issues.

“We will make every effort to minimize traffic delays during construction, and we will notify customers in advance in those instances when after-hours work is needed,” said Smithson, noting that customers can visit their online account to ensure that their contact information is up to date, along with their preferences on how they would like to be notified.

Temporary asphalt will be applied until permanent paving is completed.

The post Water Infrastructure Upgrade in Mountain View appeared first on California Water Service.