Global Water Resources Files Settlement Agreement in Farmers Water Rate Case
February 04 2025 - 7:31AM
Global Water Resources, Inc. (NASDAQ: GWRS), a pure-play water
resource management company, has reached a unanimous settlement
agreement related to the Global Water – Farmers Water Company, Inc.
(GW-Farmers) general rate case application it had filed with the
Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC) on June 27, 2024. The
settlement agreement was filed with the ACC on January 10, 2025,
with a hearing on the agreement scheduled to begin on February 10,
2025.
This is the first rate case submitted for GW-Farmers since
Global Water acquired the utility in 2023. The proposed new rates
are based on 2023 test-year service connections. If approved, the
new rates are expected to provide a revenue increase of
approximately $1.1 million on an annualized basis. The increase
would be implemented in three stages: 50% on May 1, 2025, 25% on
November 1, 2025, and 25% on May 1, 2026.
“We appreciate the collaboration with the Utilities Division
Staff and Residential Utility Consumer Office in reaching this
unanimous settlement,” commented Global Water chief operating
officer, Chris Krygier. “This rate case represents the next step in
our plan to improve this utility for customers and the broader
Sahuarita community.”
In addition to the rate increase, the agreement proposes a
deferral of the recovery of an acquisition premium of approximately
$3 million related to Global Water’s acquisition of GW-Farmers.
This would enable Global Water to recover that investment in a
future rate case as a regulatory asset. The agreement also proposes
a system improvement benefits (SIB) mechanism that provides for the
timely recovery of the capital costs associated with distribution
system improvement projects.
The next step in the process is for a hearing before an
Administrative Law Judge, who would then draft a Recommended
Opinion and Order for the Commission’s consideration at a future
Open Meeting.
About Global Water Resources
Global Water Resources, Inc. is a leading water resource
management company that owns and operates 32 systems which provide
water, wastewater, and recycled water services. The company’s
service areas are located primarily in growth corridors around
metropolitan Phoenix. Global Water recycles over 1 billion gallons
of water annually with 17.4 billion gallons recycled since
2004.
The company has been recognized for its highly effective
implementation of Total Water Management (TWM). TWM is an
integrated approach to managing the entire water cycle that
involves owning and operating water, wastewater and recycled water
utilities within the same geographic area in order to maximize the
beneficial use of recycled water. It enables smart water management
programs such as remote metering infrastructure and other advanced
technologies, rate designs, and incentives that result in real
conservation. TWM helps protect water supplies in water-scarce
areas experiencing population growth.
Global Water has received numerous industry awards, including
national recognition as a ‘Utility of the Future Today’ for its
superior water reuse practices by a national consortium of water
and conservation organizations led by the Water Environment
Federation (WEF). The company also received Cityworks’ Excellence
in Departmental Practice Award for demonstrating leadership and
creativity in applying public asset management strategies to daily
operations and long-term planning.
To learn more, visit www.gwresources.com.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking
Statements
Certain statements in this press release include certain
forward-looking statements which reflect the company's expectations
regarding future events. The forward-looking statements involve a
number of assumptions, risks, uncertainties, and other factors that
could cause actual results to differ materially from those
contained in the forward-looking statements. These forward-looking
statements include, but are not limited to, statements about our
strategies; expectations about future business plans, prospective
performance, growth, and opportunities; future financial
performance; technologies; plans and expectations for capital
expenditures and regulatory compliance; and other statements that
are not historical facts, as well as statements identified by words
such as "expects", "anticipates", "intends", "plans", "believes",
"seeks", "estimates", or the negative of these terms, or other
words of similar meaning. These statements are based on our current
beliefs or expectations and are inherently subject to a number of
risks, uncertainties, and assumptions, most of which are difficult
to predict and many of which are beyond our control. Actual results
may differ materially from these expectations due to changes in
political, economic, business, market, regulatory, and other
factors. Factors that may also affect future results are disclosed
under the headings “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in our
filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"),
which are available at the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. This
includes, but is not limited to, our most recently filed periodic
reports on Form 10-K and Form 10-Q and subsequent filings with the
SEC. Accordingly, investors are cautioned not to place undue
reliance on any forward-looking statements, which reflect
management’s views as of the date hereof. We undertake no
obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, except
as required by law, whether as a result of new information, future
developments or otherwise.
Company Contact:Michael Liebman CFO and SVPTel
(480) 999-5104 Email
Contact
Investor Relations Contact:Ron Both or Grant
StudeCMATel (949) 432-7566Email contact
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