California Water Service (CWT) Authorized for 3% Interim Rate Increase Effective Jan 1, 2026
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Dec 29 2025
0mins
Source: Newsfilter
- Interim Rate Approval: California Water Service has received authorization from the California Public Utilities Commission to temporarily increase rates by 3% in most districts effective January 1, 2026, enabling continued infrastructure investments to ensure safe, clean, and reliable water supply for customers.
- Ongoing Infrastructure Investment: This interim rate increase will allow Cal Water to proceed with essential infrastructure improvements during the review of its 2024 General Rate Case, mitigating the financial burden on customers due to delayed decisions.
- Customer Burden Mitigation: The CPUC's approval aims to reduce the compounded effects of delayed recovery, ensuring that customers do not face higher retroactive surcharges before final rates are established.
- Strategic Stability for the Company: Martin A. Kropelnicki, Chairman and CEO of California Water Service Group, emphasized that this interim adjustment will help maintain affordability for customers while continuing necessary infrastructure improvements, thereby enhancing the company's competitive position in the water utility sector.
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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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