Newsweek selected 57 companies to be honored in the energy and utilities category, with Group being one of only five water utilities recognized. The 2024 list recognizes 1,000 of the largest stock exchange-listed companies by revenue and spans 23 industries and 20 countries. Newsweek considered companies with annual revenues over $500 million USD, and rankings were determined through both an independent survey of more than 70,000 participants submitting 230,000 evaluations and a social listening analysis of more than 995,000 company mentions. Group was previously named one of “America's Most Trustworthy Companies” in March 2024.

"Doing the right thing for our customers, communities, employees, and stockholders-and striving daily to be a company they can trust-has always been part of our DNA," said Martin A. Kropelnicki, Group Chairman & CEO. "We are humbled that our customers, investors, and employees believe in us and honored that Newsweek has again named California Water Service Group one of the World's Most Trustworthy Companies.”

The full listing and more information about the award are published online at
www.newsweek.com/rankings/worlds-most-trustworthy-companies-2024.

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Cal Water opened its sixth annual Firefighter Grant Program today to fire departments in its districts, as part of its ongoing commitment to-and partnership with-local first responders. Cal Water encourages professional and volunteer fire departments that serve any part of Cal Water's service areas to apply for funding that will offset costs for fire protection efforts, equipment, training, and education.

Cal Water's Firefighter Grant Program has provided more than $854,000 in grants to local fire departments since the program started in 2019. Grants last year ranged from $5,400 to $36,900 to fund equipment such as ballistic helmets and vests, bleeding control supplies, new hoses and nozzles, thermal imaging cameras, medical emergency training equipment, and water-tight batteries that power Jaws of Life rescue equipment.

"As a trusted water provider and community partner, we strive to go beyond providing the water supply and pressure our fire departments count on during an emergency," said Martin A. Kropelnicki, Cal Water Chairman and CEO. "With so many fire departments' budgets stretched thin and lacking the dollars needed to purchase newer, safer, or more advanced personal protective equipment and supplies, we're pleased to be able to help our first responders as they help save lives and property."

For more information about the Firefighter Grant Program or to apply, applicants can visit www.calwater.com/firefightergrant or email firefightergrant@calwater.com. The application period for this year's cycle will be open through the end of September. Cal Water plans to notify grant recipients in late fall.  

The grants are part of California Water Service Group's stockholder-funded philanthropic giving program and do not affect customers' rates.

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These two new wells replace wells that have been out of service over the past few years due to declining natural water quality. They will provide water to existing customers and help meet customers' peak hourly and maximum daily demands. Cal Water will also install 100 feet of new water main to help each well deliver water to the existing water system. "Infrastructure improvements like these help Cal Water maintain a reliable water supply for both everyday and emergency needs, and they enable us to keep providing quality, service, and value to our customers," said Brenda Granillo, Salinas District Manager.

Construction on the two wells is expected to begin in September or October: one near the intersection of East Romie Lane and Alameda Avenue, and the other near the intersection of Harris Road and Abbott Street. Each will be built in two phases; the first four-month phase will be a well-drilling operation, which will mostly take place Monday through Friday during normal between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. Customers will be notified separately of any work that will need to take place after-hours. After the wells are constructed, there may be several months of standby time in which no active work will be completed onsite. During this time, the necessary equipment will be purchased before transitioning to the second phase of construction. During phase two, several improvements will take place including the construction of a concrete block building and installation of station piping; purchased equipment; onsite utilities; new sidewalk; and landscaping. Phase two will take place Monday through Friday between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Both projects are expected to be completed by December 2026, weather permitting.

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The Great Place to Work award is based wholly on current, full-time employees' feedback about their experience working at the company. The certification includes two parts: a Culture Audit© and a Trust Index©. Results were then compared to other top U.S. workplaces to determine the company's placement.

Beyond its existing benefits package and employee programs, over the past year, the company worked to enhance engagement with team members through increased communications, in-person events, and a newly implemented at-risk pay program that allows participating team members to share financially in the success of the company when certain performance metrics-including areas such as safety, water quality, and customer service-are achieved.

"We are honored to earn the Great Place to Work certification for the ninth year in a row, particularly because it affirms that our employees appreciate our efforts to support them," said Martin A. Kropelnicki, Group Chairman and CEO. "At California Water Service Group, we believe that when we take care of our employees, they can focus on taking care of our customers and communities, and we will continue working hard to be a great place for our employees to work."

California Water Service Group invites job seekers to pursue a career with a purpose-driven company, dedicated to improving the quality of life for the more than 2 million people it serves, by visiting www.calwatergroup.com/careers.

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"Infrastructure improvements like this help Cal Water maintain a reliable water supply for both everyday and emergency needs and enable us to keep providing quality, service, and value to our customers," said Tavis Beynon, Marysville District Manager. Installation of the new pipe took about four months to complete. Temporary asphalt has been applied until permanent paving is completed, which can be up to 30 days after project completion.

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Beyond Cal Water's long-standing efforts to support employees-which include a competitive compensation and benefits package, opportunities for growth, emotional wellness resources, and more-the utility has taken numerous steps to elevate the employee experience. These steps include keeping team members more informed of direction and decisions, seeking more two-way communication and feedback, and introducing an at-risk pay program that enables team members to share in the company's success when certain metrics are achieved.

Top Workplace rankings are determined through survey data gathered by an independent research company specializing in employee engagement and retention. Employees are asked for feedback on various topics, including company leadership, compensation and training, diversity and inclusion, values and ethics, career development, and family-friendly flexibility.

"Our purpose is to enhance the quality of life for not only our customers and communities, but also our employees, because we believe that when we take care of our team members, they can focus on taking care of the more than 2 million people we serve," said Martin A. Kropelnicki, Group Chairman and CEO. "After the pandemic prompted us to be physically farther apart and suspend some of the activities that make our employees feel more connected, we have undertaken significant efforts to recapture the one-team culture our employees have long felt makes our company special. And, while we will strive to continue improving the employee experience, I am pleased that our efforts are making a meaningful difference to our team members."

The largest regulated water utility in the western United States, Cal Water employs nearly 400 employees in the Bay Area through its Bayshore, Bear Gulch, Livermore, and Los Altos districts, along with its Customer Support Services office in San Jose. The utility serves about 393,500 people through 125,000 customer connections in Atherton, Cupertino, Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, Livermore, Menlo Park, Mountain View, Portola Valley, Redwood City, San Carlos, San Mateo, South San Francisco, Sunnyvale, and Woodside. Statewide, Cal Water serves more than 2 million people through 497,700 customer connections.

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Currently, construction of a fifth water storage tank and booster station, along with installation of 3,350 feet of new 12-inch and 16-inch water main to support the project, are underway just east of downtown Visalia. In coming weeks, Visalia customers will experience the benefits of the 975,000-gallon water tank and booster station, which is a major expansion of the system's capacity to provide water amid the peak demands of summer.

"Infrastructure improvements like these ensure that Cal Water maintains a reliable water supply for both everyday and emergency needs," said Stephen Johnson, Cal Water Visalia District Manager. "We continually modernize and upgrade our water system so that we can provide safe, clean, and reliable tap water to our customers and community-any time they need it."

The storage tank and booster station are expected to be fully operational in September, which is also when Cal Water is set to begin construction to install granular-activated carbon treatment on two wells to address the state's new water quality standard for two manmade compounds, PFOS (perfluorooctane sulfonate) and PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid).

In October, Cal Water will begin work on another main replacement project in downtown Visalia, which will include the installation of about 2,600 feet of new 8-inch and 4-inch main on Acequia Avenue, from Clarke to Bridge streets, and on Santa Fe Street, from Willow to Main streets.

The projects are part of Cal Water's efforts to continually modernize and upgrade its water system for customers. Cal Water's investment in infrastructure is spelled out in its Infrastructure Improvement Plan (IIP), which it is required to file every three years with the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC). Cal Water filed its most recent IIP on July 8, beginning an approximately 18-month review process by the CPUC, an independent state agency. The CPUC will analyze the plans to establish water rates for 2026-2028 that reflect the actual cost of providing safe, reliable water service. Associated rates set by the CPUC would become effective no sooner than January 2026.

In Visalia, Cal Water proposes to make future upgrades that will strengthen reliability, safety, and supply through projects such as:

• Replacing 48,965 feet of water main to prevent failure of aging and high-risk pipelines.
• Installing new treatment sites and enhancing existing facilities to expand capacity to deliver safe, clean water.
• Rehabilitating existing wells to improve water supply and reliability.
• Identifying locations for new wells and groundwater recharge locations.

For these important upgrades and costs to maintain and operate this system, under this proposal, the typical customer using 8,228 gallons of water per month would have an increase of 25 cents per day beginning in 2026, followed by 10 cents per day in 2027, and 12 cents per day in 2028.

"Rate adjustments help fund critical water infrastructure projects such as new pipes, treatment facilities, pumps, and fire hydrants, along with improving water supply and storage," Johnson said. "Even with our strong record of system upgrades, our delivery of safe, clean tap water, and our commitment to exceptional customer service, our customers pay about a penny per gallon."

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The nine winning submissions were carefully, and thoughtfully, created by student artists attending grades K-12 within Cal Water service areas across the state. Using crayons, markers, colored pencils, and even paint, students showed others the importance of water conservation. Splash of Creativity, formerly known as the H₂O Challenge's Individual Challenge, is designed to foster a deeper understanding of water issues while offering students an opportunity to gain recognition for their artistic talents.

The winners of this year's competition are:

Grades 3-5

• Grand Prize in Art: Clara, Chico-Save Water, Save the Otters
• Excellence in Art: Tlalli, Chico-Rainfall
• Special Recognition: Anelly, Stockton-Save Water
• Honorable Mention: Marielly, Chico-Every Drop Counts

Grades 6-8

• Grand Prize in Art: Tiffany, Los Angeles-Inside or Out Water is Important
• Excellence in Art: Arabella, Los Angeles-Save Water, Save Our Planet Eye
• Special Recognition: Mia, Los Angeles-The Lonely Ocean
• Honorable Mention: Valeria, Los Angeles-Help Save the Ocean Life

Grades 9-12

• Grand Prize in Art: Jodie, Torrance-Life's Sustenance

"We are thrilled to see such a high level of creativity and dedication from students across California," said Ken Jenkins, Cal Water's Chief Water Resource Sustainability Officer. "The artwork submitted this year showcases the passion and commitment of our young artists to preserving and valuing our water resources."

The Tap Into Learning program, a collaboration between Cal Water and DoGoodery, continues to engage students through various educational activities, including Aqua Adventures, Water Smart Grants, and the H₂Oath initiative. For more information about the Tap Into Learning program, visit challenge.calwater.com.

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El distrito completó recientemente la construcción para instalar el tratamiento TCP en un pozo fuera de línea para cumplir con el estándar de calidad del agua del estado en su estación en South Leonard Avenue. The installation allows Cal Water to bring Selma's third-largest producing well back online for customer use during the peak demands of summer.

“Infrastructure improvements like this ensure that Cal Water maintains a safe, clean, and reliable water supply for both everyday and emergency needs,” said Stuart Skoglund, Cal Water's Selma Operations Manager.

The Selma District also has TCP treatment at two other sites, which enables the water to comply with the maximum contaminant level (MCL) for TCP of 5 parts per trillion (ppt) set by the State Water Resources Control Board.

"Treating five parts per trillion is essentially like removing a few drops of water from an Olympic-sized swimming pool; it is a very complex process to remove these trace amounts," Skoglund said. "But, our commitment is to provide a reliable supply of high-quality water to our customers and we intend to keep fulfilling that commitment."

TCP, a manmade organic chemical used mostly as a soil fumigant until the 1980s, seeped into some groundwater supplies, including those in Cal Water's Selma service area. No longer used in soil fumigants today, the constituent has been found to cause potential health risks when consumed in high volumes.

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“Infrastructure improvements like these help Cal Water maintain a reliable water supply for both everyday and emergency needs, while also preventing water loss from aging pipes,” said Ross Moilan, Bayshore District Manager.

Work will continue through the remainder of the year in the Central South San Francisco Mayfair Village subdivision (bordered by West Orange Avenue on the west, Mayfair Avenue on the north, South Spruce Avenue on the east, and Myrtle Avenue on the south) and includes Toyon Avenue, Sycamore Avenue, Cherry Avenue, South Magnolia Avenue, Manzanita Avenue, Fir Avenue, and Redwood Avenue. The majority of the work will be performed Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.; however, some work may be performed at night or during the weekends to help alleviate traffic issues. Temporary asphalt will be applied until permanent paving is completed, which can be up to 30 days after project completion.

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