California Water Service Approved for 3% Rate Increase Effective January 1, 2026
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Dec 29 2025
0mins
California Water Service has been authorized to implement interim rate adjustments for nearly all of its service areas, effective Jan. 1, 2026, as the California Public Utilities Commission continues its review of the utility's 2024 General Rate Case and Infrastructure Improvement Plan. The CPUC's approval allows Cal Water to temporarily increase rates by 3% in most districts. Cal Water, the largest subsidiary of California Water Service Group, filed its triennial, required GRC and Infrastructure Improvement Plan in July 2024. According to the CPUC's 18-month GRC cycle, any changes in rates determined by the CPUC for the period of 2026 through 2028 were to take effect Jan. 1, 2026.
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Analyst Views on CWT
Wall Street analysts forecast CWT stock price to rise over the next 12 months. According to Wall Street analysts, the average 1-year price target for CWT is 53.00 USD with a low forecast of 51.00 USD and a high forecast of 55.00 USD. However, analyst price targets are subjective and often lag stock prices, so investors should focus on the objective reasons behind analyst rating changes, which better reflect the company's fundamentals.
2 Analyst Rating
2 Buy
0 Hold
0 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 43.620
Low
51.00
Averages
53.00
High
55.00
Current: 43.620
Low
51.00
Averages
53.00
High
55.00
About CWT
California Water Service Group is a holding company that provides water utility and other related services in California, Washington, New Mexico, Hawaii and Texas through its subsidiaries. Its business is conducted through its operating subsidiaries and provides utility services. Its business consists of the production, purchase, storage, treatment, testing, distribution, and sale of water for domestic, industrial, public, and irrigation uses, and the provision of domestic and municipal fire protection services. It provides wastewater collection and treatment services, including treatment which allows water recycling. It also provides non-regulated water-related services under agreements with municipalities and other private companies. The non-regulated services include full water system operation, meter reading, and billing services. Non-regulated operations also include the lease of communication antenna sites, lab services and promotion of other non-regulated services.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
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