SJW GROUP

Note 2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Use of Estimates

The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Depreciable Utility Plant and Equipment

The major components of depreciable plant and equipment as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows:

Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated remaining service lives of groups of assets. The estimated service lives of depreciable plant and equipment are as follows:

For the years 2023, 2022 and 2021, depreciation expense as a percent of the beginning of the year balance of depreciable plant was 2.9%,3.3% and 3.2%, respectively. Depreciation expense for utility plant for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 was $104,325, $99,413 and $91,906, respectively. The cost of utility plant retired (less salvage) is charged to accumulated depreciation and no gain or loss is recognized. To the extent SJW Group recovers retirement costs through rates during the life of the associated asset and before the costs are incurred, these amounts result in a regulatory liability being reported based on the amounts previously recovered through customer rates until the costs to retire those assets are incurred.

Allowance For Funds Used During Construction (“AFUDC”)

AFUDC represents the capitalized costs of borrowed funds or a return on equity funds used to finance utility plant under construction and is capitalized as part of construction work in progress. AFUDC is recorded to the extent approved by the respective states’ utility regulators and is recovered through water rates as the utility plant depreciates. The amount of AFUDC debt capitalized in 2023, 2022 and 2021 was $2,900, $4,703 and $4,422, respectively. Interest on long-term debt is presented net of AFUDC debt capitalized on the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income. The amount of AFUDC equity capitalized in 2023, 2022 and 2021 was $2,114, $1,551 and $1,926, respectively, reflected in “Other, net” on the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income.

Intangible Assets

Finite-lived intangible assets are recorded at cost and are amortized using the straight-line method over the estimated useful life of the asset, ranging from 5 to 70 years. Indefinite-lived intangibles assets are not amortized, but instead are tested for impairment annually, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that it is more likely than not that the asset is impaired. (see Note 8, “Intangible Assets”).

Nonutility Properties and Real Estate Investments

Nonutility properties and real estate investments are recorded at cost and consist primarily of land and buildings. Net gains and losses from the sale of nonutility properties and real estate investments are recorded as a component of other (expense) income and operating expense, respectively, in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income. Nonutility property is property that is neither used nor useful in providing water utility services to customers and is excluded from rate base for rate-setting purposes. SJWC recognizes gain or loss on the disposition of nonutility property in accordance with California Public Utilities Commission (“CPUC”) Code Section 790, whereby the net proceeds are reinvested back into property that is useful in providing water utility services to customers. CTWS and TWC do not have regulatory restrictions on the use of proceeds from the sale of nonutility property. There is no depreciation associated with Water Utility Services nonutility property as it is all undeveloped land.

The major components of nonutility properties and real estate investments are as follows as of December 31:

Depreciation on buildings and improvements for real estate investments is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets, ranging from 7 to 39 years.

In March 2023, SJW Land Company entered into a broker agreement to sell its warehouse buildings and land property located in Knoxville, Tennessee. The company reclassified the Tennessee properties from held-and-used to held-for-sale at March 31, 2023. The Company’s intention is to complete the sale of these assets within a twelve-month period. The company records the Tennessee properties at the lower of their carrying value or estimated fair value less cost to sell, and also stopped recording depreciation on assets held for sale. SJW Group’s broker provides the estimated fair value of the Tennessee properties. No impairment has been recorded as the estimated fair value less cost to sell exceeds carrying value. The property is classified as part of the Real Estate Services reportable segment.

The sale of the Tennessee properties does not represent a strategic shift that has or will have a major effect on SJW Group; therefore, the sale does not qualify for treatment as a discontinued operation.

The following represents the major components of the Tennessee warehouse building and land property recorded in assets held-for-sale on the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2023:

On October 29, 2021, SJWC soldtwo nonutility properties located in San Jose, California for $13,150. For the year ended December 31, 2022, SJW Group recognized the pre-tax gain on the sale of nonutility properties of $7,230, after selling expenses of $277 for one of the properties sold, and a gain of $5,442 which was deferred in 2021 pending the CPUC review. On February 15, 2022, the CPUC review was complete and SJWC recognized the deferred gain on sale of nonutility property in 2022.

A former wholly owned subsidiary of SJW Group, Texas Water Alliance, was sold to Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority (“GBRA”) in 2017. The sales agreement with GBRA included a holdback amount of $3,000 to be paid to SJW Group on June 30, 2021, subject to reduction under certain conditions. SJW Group received the holdback amount without reduction from the GBRA on June 29, 2021 and recognized a pre-tax gain on sale of $3,000.

Also, on October 29, 2021, SJW Land sold undeveloped land located in San Jose, California for $2,600. SJW Group recognized a pre-tax gain on the sale of real estate investments of $927, after selling expenses of $121.

The following schedule shows the future minimum rental payments to be received from third parties under operating leases that have remaining noncancelable lease terms in excess of one year as of December 31, 2023:

Business Combinations and Asset Acquisitions

SJW Group applies the provisions of Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) ASC Topic 805— “Business Combinations” for the accounting related to business and asset acquisitions. First, SJW Group applies the guidance in Topic 805 to determine whether a transaction represents a business combination or an acquisition of assets. If the transaction is a business combination, Topic 805 requires SJW Group to recognize separately from goodwill the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed at the acquisition date fair values. Goodwill as of the acquisition date is measured as the excess of consideration transferred over the net of the acquisition date fair values of the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed. If the transaction is an acquisition of assets, the cost of the transaction, including transaction costs, is allocated to the individual assets acquired and liabilities assumed on a relative fair value basis without recognition of goodwill. While SJW Group uses best available estimates and assumptions to accurately value assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the acquisition date, such estimates are inherently uncertain and subject to refinement. For business combinations, Topic 805 provides for a measurement period from the acquisition date of up to one year, during which we may record adjustments to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed with the corresponding offset to goodwill. Upon the conclusion of the measurement period, any subsequent adjustments are recorded to our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income. Accounting for business combinations and asset acquisitions requires SJW Group to make significant estimates and assumptions, especially at the acquisition date, including estimates for intangible assets, contractual obligations assumed and pre-acquisition contingencies. Although SJW Group believes that the assumptions and estimates we make are reasonable and appropriate, they are based in part on historical experience and information obtained from the acquired company’s management and are inherently uncertain. Events and circumstances may occur that may affect the accuracy or validity of such assumptions, estimates or actual results. Examples of critical estimates in valuing certain of the intangible assets we have acquired include, but are not limited to: future expected cash flows from services; historical and expected customer attrition rates and anticipated growth in revenue from acquired customers; the expected use of the acquired assets; and discount rates. See Note 14, “Acquisitions” for further information on business combinations and asset acquisitions.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and Goodwill

In accordance with the requirements of FASB ASC Topic 360—“Property, Plant and Equipment,” the long-lived assets of SJW Group, including property, plant and equipment and finite-lived intangible assets, are reviewed for impairment when changes in circumstances or events indicate that the carrying amount of the assets may not be recoverable. In assessing qualitative factors, SJW Group considers the impact of these key factors: change in industry and competitive environment, financial performance, and other relevant company-specific events. When such changes in circumstances or events occur, the company assesses recoverability by determining whether the carrying value of such assets will be recovered through the undiscounted expected future cash flows. To the extent an impairment exists, the asset is written down to its estimated fair value with a corresponding charge to operations in the period in which the impairment is identified. No impairments occurred during 2023 and 2022. During the year ended December 31, 2021, SJW Group determined that an implementation project for a customer care billing system at TWC will no longer be pursued and accordingly wrote-off $2,211 of accumulated costs for the project that were previously recorded as construction work in progress on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Goodwill is not amortized but is tested for impairment annually on October 1st or more frequently if an event occurs or circumstances change that would more likely than not, reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying amount. Indefinite-lived intangible assets, other than goodwill, are not amortized but are tested for impairment annually on October 1 st or more frequently if an event occurs or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of indefinite-lived intangible assets below their carrying amount. In performing impairment tests of goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets, SJW Group first performs a qualitative assessment to determine whether it is necessary to perform the quantitative impairment test. In assessing the qualitative factors, SJW Group considers the impact of these key factors: change in industry and competitive environment, financial performance, macroeconomic conditions, and other relevant Company-specific events. If SJW Group determines that as a result of the qualitative assessment it is more likely than not (> 50% likelihood) that the fair value is less than carrying amount, then a quantitative test is performed. As of October 1, 2023, SJW Group performed qualitative assessments of both goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets and found no indicators of impairment and therefore did not perform quantitative impairment tests. No impairments of goodwill or indefinite-lived intangible assets occurred during 2023, 2022 or 2021.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents primarily consisted of cash on deposit with banks and short-term, highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less. Restricted funds consisted of proceeds from state revolving fund bond issuances to MWC of $4,000 on December 23, 2020, for capital expenditures. Proceeds were held by a trustee for the bonds and released when the funding conditions were met. As of December 31, 2021, $2,789 of the proceeds from the December 23, 2020, bond were released by the trustee, and the balance of $1,211 was released during the year ended December 31, 2022.

Accounts Receivable

Accounts receivable are recorded at the invoiced amounts. The allowance for uncollectible accounts is SJW Group’s best estimate of credit losses in its existing accounts receivable and is determined based on current expected losses. The estimate is based on historical loss information adjusted for current conditions. Accounts balances are written off against the allowance when it is probable the receivable will not be recovered or is over a certain number of days outstanding.

Financial Instruments and Investments

The following instruments are not measured at fair value on the company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets but require disclosure of fair values: cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, and lines of credit. The estimated fair value of such instruments approximates their carrying value as reported on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The fair value of such financial instruments are determined using the income approach based on the present value of estimated future cash flows. The fair value of these instruments would be categorized as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy, with the exception of cash and cash equivalents, which would be categorized as Level 1. The fair value of long-term debt is discussed in Note 6, “Long-Term Debt” and pension plan assets in Note 11, “Benefit Plans.”

SJW Group has investments in company owned life insurance which are valued at cash surrender value of the policies as reported by the insurer. The value of these contracts is based principally on a referenced pool of investment funds that actively redeem shares, are observable and measurable, and are presented in “Investments” on SJW Group’s Consolidated Balance Sheets. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the value of the company owned life insurance was $8,220 and $7,342, respectively, of which $3,937 and $3,420, respectively, was related to assets to fund CTWS’ supplemental retirement plan agreements. See discussion on pension plans in Note 11, “Benefit Plans.”

Income Taxes

Income taxes are accounted for using the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the effect of temporary differences between financial and tax reporting. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using current tax rates in effect. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in the period that includes the enactment date.

To the extent permitted by the regulators, investment tax credits resulting from public utility plant additions are deferred and amortized over the estimated useful lives of the related property. In addition, investment tax credits resulting from other asset additions are recognized in the year the property is put in service.

Advances for Construction and Contributions in Aid of Construction

In California, advances for construction received after 1981 are primarily refunded ratably over 40 years. In Connecticut and Maine, advances for construction are refunded as services are connected to the main, over periods not exceeding 15 years and in Texas advances for construction are non-refundable. Estimated refunds for the next five years and thereafter are shown below:

As of December 31, 2023, advances for construction were $146,582 of which $55,170 was related to non-refundable advances for construction and $30,437 was related to advances which are refunded based on service connections made. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the fair value of the advances for construction refunded ratably over 40 years is $40,915 and $44,715, respectively.

Contributions in aid of construction represent funds or property received from developers that are not refundable under applicable regulations. Depreciation applicable to utility plant constructed with these contributions is charged to contributions in aid of construction.

Customer advances and contributions in aid of construction received subsequent to 1986 and prior to June 12, 1996, generally must be included in federal taxable income, except for CTWS. Taxes paid relating to advances and contributions are recorded as deferred tax assets for financial reporting purposes and are amortized over 40 years for advances and over the tax depreciable life of the related asset for contributions. Receipts subsequent to June 12, 1996, are generally exempt from federal taxable income, unless specifically prescribed under treasury regulations, including CTWS.

Advances and contributions received subsequent to 1991 and prior to 1997 are included in state taxable income, except for CTWS.

Asset Retirement Obligation

SJW Group’s asset retirement obligation is recorded as a liability included in other non-current liabilities. It reflects principally the retirement costs of wells and other anticipated clean-up costs, which by law, must be remediated upon retirement.

As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the asset retirement obligation is as follows:

Revenue

SJW Group recognizes revenue under ASC Topic 606—“Revenue from Contracts with Customers” for metered revenue of Water Utility Services, which includes billings to customers based on meter readings plus an estimate of water used between the customers’ last meter reading and the end of the accounting period. SJW Group satisfies its performance obligation upon delivery of water to the customer at which time the customer consumes the benefits provided by the company. The customer is generally billed on a quarterly, monthly, or bi-monthly basis after water delivery has occurred. The customer is charged both a service charge which is based upon meter size and covers a portion of the fixed costs of furnishing water to the customer and a consumption charge based on actual water usage. Unbilled revenue from the last meter reading date to the end of the accounting period is estimated based on the most recent usage patterns, production records and the effective tariff rates. As the company has the right to bill for services that it has provided, SJW Group estimates the dollar value of deliveries during the unbilled period and recognizes the associated revenue. Actual results could differ from those estimates, which may result in an adjustment to revenue when billed in a subsequent period.

SJW Group also recognizes revenue under ASC Topic 980-605-25—“Alternative Revenue Programs.” Under programs established by the CPUC and Public Utilities Regulatory Authority of Connecticut (“PURA”), allowing for automatic adjustment of future rates, the company recognizes revenue when it is objectively determinable, probable of recovery and expected to be collected within 24 months of the year-end in which the revenue is recognized. A reserve, based on an estimate of actual usage over the recovery period, is recorded for any amounts SJW Group estimates will not be collected within the 24-month period. SJW Group’s alternative revenue programs include SJWC’s Water Conservation Memorandum Account (“WCMA”) and CTWS’s Water Rate Adjustment mechanism (“WRA”). See further discussion on WCMA and WRA in Note 3, “Regulatory Matters.”

SJW Group’s revenues also reflect the impact of other balancing and memorandum accounts and other regulatory mechanisms that are accounted for under FASB ASC Topic 980—“Regulated Operations.” Balancing and memorandum accounts are recognized when it is probable that future recovery of previously incurred costs or future refunds that are to be credited to customers will occur through the ratemaking process. See further discussion in Note 3, “Regulatory Matters.”

SJW Group also recognizes revenue from rental income, which represents lease rental income. Tenants pay monthly in accordance with lease agreements and SJW Group recognizes the income ratably over the lease term as this is the most representative of the pattern in which the benefit is expected to be derived from SJW Group’s underlying asset.

Detail of SJW Group’s revenue is as follows for the years ended December 31:

Revenue also includes a surcharge collected from regulated customers that is paid to the CPUC. This surcharge is recorded both in operating revenues and administrative and general expenses. For the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, the surcharge was $4,085, $6,121 and $5,691, respectively.

Share-Based Compensation

SJW Group calculates the fair value of service-based and performance-based restricted stock awards based on the grant date fair value of the company’s stock price reduced by the present value of the dividends expected to be declared on outstanding shares.

SJW Group utilizes the Monte Carlo valuation model, which requires the use of subjective assumptions, to compute the fair value of market-vesting restricted stock units.

The compensation cost for service-based restricted stock awards are charged to income on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period, which is the vesting period. For performance-based stock awards, compensation expense is charged to income on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period based on expected attainment of performance targets. Changes in the estimates of the expected attainment of performance targets will result in a change in the number of shares that are expected to vest which may cause a cumulative catch up for the amount of share-based compensation expense during each reporting period in which such estimates are altered. Forfeitures are accounted for as they occur.

Earnings per Share

Basic earnings per share is calculated using income available to common stockholders, divided by the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share is calculated using income available to common stockholders divided by the weighted average number of shares of common stock including both shares outstanding and shares potentially issuable in connection with restricted common stock awards under SJW Group’s long-term incentive plans, shares potentially issuable under the performance stock plans assumed through the business combination with CTWS, and shares potentially issuable under SJW Group’s employee stock purchase plans. Restricted common stock units of 14,193,25,127 and 16,347 as of December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively, were excluded from the dilutive earnings per share calculation as their effect would have been anti-dilutive.

Reclassifications

Certain reclassifications have been made to prior periods in the Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes to conform to the current presentation.

New Accounting Standards

In November 2023, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2023-07, “Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures.” (“ASU 2023-07”). Among other changes, the ASU requires disclosure of significant segment expenses and extends certain annual disclosures to interim periods. The ASU is effective for SJW Group beginning with its annual financial statements for the year ending December 31, 2024. Early adoption is permitted. SJW Group is currently evaluating the requirements of ASU 2023-07.

In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09, “Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures.” The ASU amends certain income tax disclosure requirements, including adding requirements to present the reconciliation of income tax expense computed at the statutory rate to actual income tax expense using both percentages and amounts and providing a disaggregation of income taxes paid. Further, certain disclosures are eliminated, including the current requirement to disclose information on changes in unrecognized tax benefits in the next 12 months. The ASU is effective for SJW Group beginning with its annual financial statements for the year ending December 31, 2025. Early adoption is permitted. SJW Group is currently evaluating the requirements of ASU 2023-09.

Note 3. Regulatory Matters

Regulation

Water Utility Services, excluding non-tariffed activities, are subject to rate regulation based on cost recovery and meets the criteria of accounting guidance for rate-regulated operations under ASC Topic 980, which affects the timing of the recognition of certain revenues and expenses. SJW Group’s consolidated financial statements reflect the actions of regulators in the rate-making process. The rate-making process is intended to provide revenues sufficient to recover normal operating expenses, provide funds for replacement of water infrastructure and produce a fair and reasonable return on stockholder common equity.

Water Utility Services, excluding non-tariffed activities, recognizes regulatory assets for incurred costs that are deemed probable of recovery from customers. Also, Water Utility Services recognizes regulatory liabilities for amounts expected to be refunded to customers in the rate-making process and for amounts collected in advance of the related expenditures. Regulatory assets or liabilities are also recognized for special revenue programs such as WCMA and WRA in accordance with guidance on alternative revenue programs under ASC Topic 980. Application of ASC 980, including determining whether recovery is probable, requires significant judgment by management and includes assessing evidence that may exist prior to regulatory authorization, including regulatory rules and decisions, historical ratemaking practices, and other facts and circumstances that would indicate that recovery or refund is probable.

If the regulated utility determines that it is no longer probable that regulatory assets or liabilities would be recovered or refunded through the regulatory process, or if the utility ceased to be subject to rate regulation, the affected regulatory assets and liabilities would be derecognized with a corresponding adjustment to income in the period in which that determination was made.

SJWC has established balancing accounts for the purpose of tracking the under-collection or over-collection associated with expense changes and the revenue authorized by the CPUC to offset those expense changes. In 2022, SJWC’s general rate case decision approved the use of the Full Cost Balancing Account to track the water supply costs and energy consumption. The Monterey Water Revenue Adjustment (“MWRAM”) balancing account tracks the difference between the revenue received for actual metered sales through the tiered volumetric rate and the revenue that would have been received with the same actual metered sales if a uniform rate would have been in effect.

SJWC also maintains memorandum accounts to track impacts due to catastrophic events, certain unforeseen water quality expenses related to new federal and state water quality standards, energy efficiency, water conservation, water tariffs, and other approved activities or as directed by the CPUC. The WCMA allows SJWC to track lost revenue, net of related water costs, associated with reduced sales due to water conservation and associated calls for water use reduction. SJWC records the lost revenue captured in the WCMA balancing accounts. Applicable drought surcharges collected are used to offset the revenue losses tracked in the WCMA. Mandatory water conservation requirements from Santa Clara Valley Water District (“Valley Water”) ended on April 11, 2023, which also ended SJWC’s Mandatory Conservation Plan, that included drought allocations and surcharges. On October 2, 2023, the CPUC approved the continuation of WCMA and Water Conservation Expense Memorandum Account under the voluntary call for conservation effective April 20, 2023. All balancing accounts and memorandum accounts not included for recovery or refund in current customer rates will be reviewed by the CPUC in SJWC’s next general rate case or at the time an individual account balance reaches a threshold of 2% of authorized revenue, whichever occurs first.

CWC has been authorized by PURA to utilize WRA, a decoupling mechanism, to mitigate risks associated with changes in demand. The WRA is used to reconcile actual water demands with the demands projected in the most recent general rate case and allows the company to implement a surcharge or sur-credit as necessary to recover or refund the revenues approved in the general rate case. The WRA allows the company to defer, as a regulatory asset or liability, the amount by which actual revenues deviate from the revenues allowed in the most recent general rate proceedings.

As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, SJW Group’s regulatory assets not earning a return primarily included unrecognized pensions and other postretirement benefits and business combinations debt premium. The total amount of regulatory assets not earning a return at December 31, 2023 and 2022, either by interest on the regulatory asset or as a component of rate base at the allowed rate of return was $43,141 and $66,373, respectively.

Regulatory Assets and Liabilities

Regulatory assets and liabilities are comprised of the following as of December 31:

(a)Consists primarily of temporary income tax differences that are flowed through to customers, which will be recovered in future rates as these temporary differences reverse. The company expects to recover regulatory assets related to plant depreciation income tax temporary differences over the lives of the plant assets, which are between 4 to 100 years.

(b)Represents actuarial losses and gains and prior service cost that have not yet been recognized as components of net periodic benefit cost for certain pension and other postretirement benefit plans.

(c)Consists of debt fair value adjustments recognized through purchase accounting for the completed merger with CTWS in 2019.

(d)Includes deferrals of pension and other postretirement benefit expense and cost of accrued benefits for vacation.

(e)MWRAM is described in the previous section.

(f)Represents costs associated with SJWC’s CAP.

(g)Primarily related to increased bad debt expenses associated with SJWC’s response to COVID-19. The CPUC has authorized water utilities to activate CEMA accounts in order to track savings and costs related to SJWC’s response to catastrophic events, which includes external labor and materials, increases in bad debt from suspension of shutoffs for non-payment, waived deposits and reconnection fees, and divergence from actual versus authorized usage.

(h)Represents the difference between revenues collected in interim rates in effect as of January 1, 2022 and revenues that would result from rates authorized in SJWC’s 2022 general rate case retroactive to January 1, 2022.

(i)Reflects differences in actual water supply costs compared to amounts assumed in setting rates, including applicable changes and variations in costs and quantities that affect the overall mix of the water supply.

(j)Other includes other balancing and memorandum accounts and regulatory mechanisms, deferred costs for certain information technology activities, asset retirement obligations and rate case expenses.

(k)As of December 31, 2023, primarily relates to MWRAM. As of December 31, 2022, primarily relates to the 2022 general rate case interim memorandum account.

(l)Represents amounts collected in rates from customers for estimated costs to retire assets at the end of their expected useful lives before the costs are incurred. During 2023, the Company completed a new depreciation study and as of December 31, 2023, recorded a classification adjustment of $346,418 as cost of removal regulatory liabilities. As of December 31, 2022, cost of removal regulatory liabilities of $316,647 are included in net utility plant - accumulated depreciation and amortization. Management has concluded a classification adjustment to the prior year balance sheet is not necessary because the impact is immaterial.

(m)On December 22, 2017 the Tax Act was signed into law. The Tax Act included a reduction in the federal income tax rate from 35% to 21%. The rate reduction was effective on January 1, 2018 and resulted in a regulatory liability for the excess deferred income taxes. The benefit of amortization of excess deferred income taxes flows back to the customers under current normalization rules and agreed upon methods with the commissions.

(n)Consists of WRA and WCMA, which are described in the previous section.

(o)Other includes other balancing and memorandum accounts, other regulatory mechanisms and accrued tank painting costs.

(p)As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, primarily relates to WRA.

Note 4. Capitalization

SJW Group is authorized to issue 70,000,000 shares of common stock of $0.001 par value per share. At December 31, 2023 and 2022,32,023,004 and 30,801,912, respectively, shares of common stock were issued and outstanding.

As of December 31, 2023 and 2022,1,000,000 shares of preferred stock of $0.001 par value per share were authorized for SJW Group. At December 31, 2023 and 2022, no shares of preferred stock were issued or outstanding.

In March 2023, SJW Group entered into Amendment No. 1 to the equity distribution agreement (the “Equity Distribution Agreement”), dated November 17, 2021, between SJW Group and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, Janney Montgomery Scott LLC, RBC Capital Markets, LLC and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, pursuant to which the company may offer and sell shares of its common stock, $0.001 par value per share, from time to time in “at-the-market” offerings, having an aggregate gross sales price of up to $240,000. For the year ended December 31, 2023, SJW Group issued and sold a total of 1,119,806 shares of common stock with a weighted average price of $73.68 per share and received $80,659 in net proceeds under the Equity Distribution Agreement. Since the inception of the Equity Distribution Agreement, SJW Group has issued and sold 2,004,657 shares of common stock with a weighted average price of $73.57 for a total net proceeds of $143,998 and has a remaining $92,509 under the Equity Distribution Agreement to issue into shares.

On March 8, 2021, SJW Group entered into an underwriting agreement with J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, as the representative of the several underwriters named therein (the “Underwriters”), which provided for the issuance and sale by SJW Group to the Underwriters 1,030,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share, in an underwritten public offering (the “Offering”). The shares in the Offering were sold at a public offering price of $59.00 per share. SJW Group also granted the Underwriters an option to purchase up to 154,500 additional shares of common stock, which was exercised in full. The Offering closed on March 11, 2021, and the offering of option shares closed on March 16, 2021. SJW Group received net proceeds of $66,775 from the Offering and the sale of option shares, after deducting the underwriting discounts and commissions and offering expenses.

Note 5. Lines of Credit

SJW Group and its subsidiaries have unsecured line of credit agreements where borrowings are used to refinance existing debt, for working capital, and for general corporate purposes. A summary of the line of agreements as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows:

SJW Group, SJWC, TWC, and CTWS have entered into a $300,000 credit agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent (“JP Morgan”), Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Documentation Agent, and a syndicate of banks dated August 2, 2022. Proceeds of borrowings under the Credit Agreement will be used for refinancing existing debt, working capital, and general corporate purposes. The Credit Agreement had a maturity date of August 2, 2027. On August 2, 2023, SJW Group, SJWC, TWC, and CTWS entered into the First Amendment to the Credit Agreement with JPMorgan Chase Bank which provided for, among other matters, an extension of the maturity date from August 2, 2027 to August 2, 2028.

Under the terms of the Credit Agreement, each of SJW Group, SJWC, TWC, and CTWS is a borrower with several and not joint liability. Each borrower has an initial borrowing entitlement, or sublimit, which can be periodically adjusted from time to time as set forth in the Credit Agreement. The initial sublimit of each borrower is as presented in the table above.

Borrowings under the Credit Agreement bear interest at either the Alternative Base Rate (as defined in the Credit Agreement and hereinafter referred to as “ABR”) or the Adjusted Term Secured Overnight Financing Rate (as defined in the Credit Agreement and hereinafter referred to as “SOFR”). ABR borrowings (which are borrowings bearing interest at a rate determined by reference to ABR) will bear interest at a rate per annum equal to ABR plus the applicable rate. SOFR borrowings (which are borrowings bearing interest at a rate determined by reference to SOFR) will bear interest at a rate per annum equal to SOFR plus the applicable rate. The applicable rate and pricing is variable depending on credit ratings of the borrower.

The Credit Agreement includes a financial covenant that requires each of the borrowers to maintain its funded debt to capitalization ratio at or below 70%.

On October 31, 2022, CTWS and Citizens Bank, National Association, entered into a fifth modification to the amended and restated revolving credit facility of $10,000 to update the interest rate from London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) plus the applicable rate to SOFR plus the applicable rate. In August 2023, SJW Group, SJWC, TWC, and CTWS entered into the First Amendment to Credit Agreement with JPMorgan Chase Bank which provided for, among other matters, an extension of the maturity date from August 2, 2027 to August 2, 2028.

On February 6, 2023, CTWS modified its existing $40,000 credit agreement with CoBank to update the interest rate from LIBOR plus the applicable rate to SOFR plus the applicable rate.

On February 6, 2023, CTWS entered into a third amendment to the amended and restated promissory note and supplement with CoBank to update the one of the stated terms regarding one of interest rate options from LIBOR plus the applicable rate to SOFR plus the applicable rate. CTWS previously locked the interest rate under this agreement such that this amendment has no impact.

The weighted-average interest rate on short-term borrowings outstanding at December 31, 2023 was 6.48% compared to 5.40% at December 31, 2022.

All of SJW Group’s and subsidiaries’ lines of credit contain customary representations, warranties and events of default, as well as certain restrictive covenants customary for facilities of this type, including restrictions on indebtedness, liens, acquisitions and investments, restricted payments, asset sales, and fundamental changes. The lines of credit also include certain customary financial covenants such as a funded debt to capitalization ratio and a minimum interest coverage ratio. As of December 31, 2023, SJW Group and its subsidiaries were in compliance with all covenants on the lines of credit.

Note 6. Long-Term Debt

Long-term debt as of December 31 was as follows:

(a)Senior notes held by institutional investors are unsecured obligations of SJW Group, SJWC, CWC, TWC and MWC and require interest-only payments until maturity. To minimize issuance costs, the companies’ debt has primarily been placed privately.

The following is a table of the consolidated company’s schedule of principal payments:

The estimated fair value of long-term debt as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 was $1,394,412 and $1,294,354, respectively, and was determined using a discounted cash flow analysis, based on the current rates for similar financial instruments of the same duration and creditworthiness of the company. Of the total fair value of long-term debt, $1,378,683 would be categorized as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy and $15,729 would be categorized as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy.

SJWC

On July 14, 2022, SJWC entered into a note purchase agreement with certain affiliates of New York Life Insurance, Metropolitan Life Insurance, Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance, and John Hancock Life Insurance (collectively the “Purchasers”), pursuant to which the company sold an aggregate principal amount of $70,000 of its 4.85% Senior Notes, Series P (“Series P Notes”) to the Purchasers. The Series P Notes are unsecured obligations of SJWC and are due on February 1, 2053. Interest is payable semi-annually in arrears on February 1st and August 1st of each year. The note purchase agreement contains customary affirmative and negative covenants for as long as the Series P Notes are outstanding. The Series P Notes are also subject to customary events of default. The closing of the note purchase agreement occurred on January 25, 2023.

CWC

On June 28, 2022, CWC entered into a note purchase agreement with certain affiliates of New York Life Insurance Company, pursuant to which CWC sold an aggregate principal amount of $25,000 of its 4.71% Senior Notes, Series 2022, due 2052. The closing of the note purchase agreement occurred on December 14, 2022. The Series 2022 Notes are unsecured obligations of CWC. Interest is payable semi-annually in arrears on June 15th and December 15th of each year.

On November 15, 2023, CWC entered into a note purchase agreement with certain affiliates of American United Life Insurance, The State Life Insurance, Mutual of Omaha Insurance, and United of Omaha Life Insurance, pursuant to which the company sold an aggregate principal amount of $25,000 of its 6.46% Senior Notes, Series 2023 (“Series 2023 Notes”). The Series 2023 Notes are unsecured obligations of CWC and are due on January 1, 2054. Interest is payable semi-annually in arrears on January 15th and July 15th of each year. The closing of the notes purchase agreement occurred on January 22, 2024.

TWC

On October 31, 2022, TWC entered into a credit with a commercial bank, pursuant to an existing master loan agreement under which the commercial bank issued TWC a promissory note on the same date with an aggregate principal amount of $15,000 at a fixed interest rate of 5.54% due on May 30, 2052. The notes are unsecured obligations of TWC. Interest is payable quarterly in arrears on the 20th day of January, April, July and October of each year.

TWR

In August 2023, TWR closed on an asset acquisition that included an obligation for a post-closing production payment of $29,000 to the seller over a period of up to 29 years. The repayment schedule is based on the quantity of groundwater produced from the acquired wells, subject to certain provisions in the purchase agreement. The difference between the gross obligation of $29,000 and the fair value at the date of acquisition is reflected as a debt discount and is being amortized as interest expense using the effective interest method over the life of the obligation.

MWC

On April 6, 2022, MWC entered into a credit agreement with a commercial bank, pursuant to an existing master loan agreement under which the commercial bank issued MWC a promissory note on the same date with an aggregate principal amount of $15,000 at a fixed interest rate of 4.54%, due May 31, 2042. The notes are unsecured obligations of MWC. Interest is payable quarterly in arrears on the 20th day of January, April, July and October of each year. Proceeds from the borrowing were received on May 13, 2022.

Financial Covenants

The debt and credit agreements of SJW Group and its subsidiaries contain various financial and other covenants. Non-compliance with these covenants could result in accelerated due dates and termination of the agreements. In addition, the credit agreements contain customary representations and warranties and subject to customary events of default, which may result in outstanding notes becoming immediately due and payable. As of December 31, 2023, SJW Group and its subsidiaries were in compliance with all covenants related to its long-term debt agreements.

Note 7. Income Taxes

The components of income tax expense were:

The following table reconciles income tax expense to the amount computed by applying the federal statutory rate to income before income taxes of $90,943, $82,324 and $68,847 in 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively:

The components of the net deferred tax liability as of December 31 was as follows:

Management evaluates the realizability of deferred tax assets based on all available evidence, both positive and negative. The realization of deferred tax assets is dependent on our ability to generate sufficient future taxable income during periods in which the deferred tax assets are expected to reverse. Based on all available evidence, management believes it is more likely than not that SJW Group will realize the benefits of its deferred tax assets. Net operating loss carryforwards expire beginning in 2032 and ending in 2039. As of December 31, 2023, the estimated amount of net operating loss carryforwards available to offset future taxable income for Connecticut purposes is $18,369. The estimated state tax credit carryforwards are $707 which will expire beginning in 2024 and ending in 2040.

The change in the net deferred tax liabilities of $20,373 in 2023 included other non-cash items primarily consisting of regulatory assets and liabilities relating to income tax temporary differences.

The total amount of unrecognized tax benefits, before the impact of deductions for state taxes, excluding interest and penalties was $4,511 and $9,004 as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The amount of tax benefits, net of any federal benefits for state taxes that would impact the effective rate, if recognized, is approximately $4,048 and $8,262 as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits is as follows:

The decrease in gross unrecognized tax benefits in 2023 was primarily due to the release of an uncertain tax position reserve relating to repairs tax deductions. In April 2023, the IRS issued additional tax guidance that has allowed the company to revisit certain historical income tax reserves. Pursuant to the issuance of this guidance, which provided additional clarification regarding some of the uncertain tax areas, the company re-evaluated the risk relating to repair deductions. The result of the analysis led to a release of an uncertain tax position reserve. The release relates to repairs expenditures which are more likely than not to be sustained on audit. The release due to re-evaluation of the reserve was $3,125.

SJW Group’s policy is to classify interest and penalties associated with unrecognized tax benefits, if any, in tax expense. Accrued interest expense, net of the benefit of tax deductions which would be available on the payment of such interest, is approximately $455 as of December 31, 2023. SJW Group has not accrued any penalties for unrecognized tax benefits. The amount of interest recognized in 2023 was a decrease to expense of $151.

SJW Group currently does not expect uncertain tax positions to change significantly over the next 12 months, except in the case of lapse of the statute of limitations.

SJW Group files U.S. federal income tax returns and income tax returns in various states and is subject to ordinary statute of limitation of three years for federal and three or four years for different state returns. However, due to tax attribute carryforwards, SJW Group is subject to examination for tax years 2012 forward for federal and state returns of CTWS and its subsidiaries. The statute of limitation for SJW Group returns is closed for these extended years and remains open for 2020 and forward for federal and 2019 or 2020 and forward for different states.

Note 8. Intangible Assets

Utility plant intangible assets consist of a concession fee paid to the City of Cupertino of $6,800 for operating the City of Cupertino municipal water system, $13,400 related to the purchase premium for customer relationships and other intangibles of $15,746 as of December 31, 2023. Other intangibles primarily consist of $5,984 for infrastructure related to the Cupertino service concession arrangement, $4,292 which was paid for service area and water rights by TWC, $1,400 for customer relationships and $1,040 incurred in conjunction with Valley Water water contracts related to the operation of SJWC. The nonutility other intangible asset represents water rights with an indefinite life.

Amortization expense for the intangible assets was $1,310, $3,869 and $1,553 for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively. Amortization expense for 2024 through 2028 and thereafter is anticipated to be approximately $1,310 per year.

The costs of intangible assets as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows:

Note 9. Commitments

SJWC purchases water from Valley Water under terms of a master contract expiring in 2051. Delivery schedules for purchased water are based on a contract year beginning July 1, and are negotiated every three years under terms of the master contract with Valley Water. For the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, SJWC purchased from Valley Water 18.3 billion gallons ($111,173),18.2 billion gallons ($96,793) and 19.4 billion gallons ($91,938), respectively, of contract water. On June 16, 2022, the Valley Water Board of Directors approved treated water deliveries reflecting the contractual delivery schedule reduced by 23% through June 30, 2024. Based on current prices and estimated deliveries, SJWC is committed to purchase from Valley Water a minimum of 90% of the reduced delivery schedule, or 18.9 billion gallons ($121,182) of water at the current contract water rate of $6.411 million per billion gallons for the year ending December 31, 2024. Additionally, SJWC purchases non-contract water from Valley Water on an “as needed” basis if the water supply is available.

In 1997, SJWC entered into a 25-year contract agreement, as amended, with the City of Cupertino to operate the City’s municipal water system. SJWC paid a one-time, upfront concession fee of $6,800 to the City of Cupertino and an incremental up-front payment of $5,000 to be used by the City of Cupertino for capital improvements. On February 25, 2022, SJWC received a letter from the City of Cupertino exercising their option to extend the term of the lease an additionaltwo years through October, 1, 2024. SJWC paid an additional $1,600 concession fee for the extension period. The total fees paid for the agreement is being amortized over the contract term including the extension period.

CWC is able, but under no obligation, to purchase up toone million gallons of water per day, from the South Central Connecticut Regional Water Authority (“RWA”), at the then current wholesale rates per the agreement, $3.1 million per billion gallons as of December 31, 2023. CWC has an agreement with The Metropolitan District (“MDC”) to purchase water from MDC to serve the Unionville system. The agreement became effective on October 6, 2000 and has a term offifty years beginning May 19, 2003, the date the water supply facilities related to the agreement were placed in service. CWC agrees to purchase 0.28 billion gallons of water annually from MDC. The rate charged by the MDC at December 31, 2023 was three dollars and eighty cents per hundred cubic feet.

TWC has long-term contracts with the GBRA. The terms of the agreements expire in 2037, 2040, 2044 and 2050, respectively. The agreements, which are take-or-pay contracts, provide TWC with 7,650 acre-feet per year of water supply from Canyon Lake. The water rate may be adjusted by GBRA at any time, provided they give TWC a 60-day written notice on the proposed adjustment. TWC also has raw water supply agreements with the Lower Colorado River Authority and West Travis Public Utility Agency expiring in 2059 and 2046, respectively, to provide for 350 acre-feet of water per year from Lake Austin and the Colorado River, respectively, at prices that may be adjusted periodically by the agencies.

MWC has an agreement with the Kennebec Water District for potable water service. The agreement has been in place for 20 years and was extended on November 7, 2020 for a new term of up to 20 years. MWC guarantees a minimum consumption of 0.05 billion gallons of water annually. Water sales to MWC are billed at a wholesale discount of twenty cents per hundred cubic feet of water below Kennebec Water District's tariffed rates. The current tariff rate was one dollar and fifty-one cents per hundred cubic feet as of December 31, 2023.

As of December 31, 2023, SJWC had 387 employees, of whom 240 were members of unions. In the first quarter of 2023, SJWC executed three-year bargaining agreements with the International Union of Operating Engineers (“OE”), representing certain employees in the engineering department, and the Utility Workers of America (“UWUA”), representing the majority of all nonadministrative employees at SJWC covering the period from January 1, 2023 through December 31, 2025. The agreements include a 6% wage increase provided in 2023,3.5% in 2024 and 5.5% in 2025 for union employees.

Note 10. Contingencies

SJW Group and its subsidiaries are subject to ordinary routine litigation incidental to its business. There are no pending legal proceedings to which SJW Group or any of its subsidiaries is a party, or to which any of its properties is the subject, that are expected to have a material effect on SJW Group’s business, financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Note 11. Benefit Plans

Pension Plans

SJW Group maintains noncontributory defined benefit pension plans for its eligible employees. SJWC employees hired before March 31, 2008 and CWC and MWC employees hired before January 1, 2009 are entitled to benefits under the pension plans based on the employee’s years of service and compensation. For SJWC employees hired on or after March 31, 2008, benefits are determined using a cash balance formula based upon compensation credits and interest credits for each employee. Effective January 1, 2023, TWC employees became eligible to participate under SJWC’s cash balance plan. Interest is credited based on the annual yield on 30-year Treasury bonds as of October for the preceding plan year with a minimum annual rate of 3.25% and a maximum annual rate of 6.00%. For the year ended December 31, 2023, interest credits assumption was 4.00%. Certain employees hired before March 1, 2012, and covered by a plan merged into the CWC plan in 2013 are also entitled to benefits based on the employee’s years of service and compensation. CTWS employees hired on or after January 1, 2009 are entitled to an additional 1.5% of eligible compensation to their company sponsored savings plan. SJW Group does not have multi-employer plans.

The pension plans are administered by their respective committees where the investment strategy of the investments of the various pension and postretirement benefit plans are reviewed and approved to achieve the goals of income generation and long-term capital preservation. SJW Group engages third-party investment consultants and managers to assist with, among other things, asset allocation strategy, investment policy advice, performance monitoring, and investment manager due diligence. Individual investment decisions have been delegated by the pension plan committees to the investment managers who are also monitored by an investment consultant. Investment managers are not permitted to invest outside of the asset class or strategy under the pension plans’ investment guidelines. The committees ensure that the plans establish a target mix that is expected to achieve its investment objectives, by assuring a broad diversification of investment assets among investment types, while minimizing volatility of the target asset mix, unless market conditions make such a change appropriate to reduce risk. The pension plans require a minimum portion of plan assets to be allocated to fixed income securities and provide guidelines and restrictions on equity investments for the assets.

Plan assets are marked to market at each measurement date, resulting in unrealized actuarial gains or losses. Unrealized actuarial gains and losses on pension assets are amortized over the expected future working lifetime of participants for actuarial expense calculation purposes.

Generally, it is expected of the investment managers that the performance of the assets held in the pension plans, computed on a total annual rate of return basis, should meet or exceed specific performance standards over athree-to-five-year period and/or full market cycle. These standards include specific absolute and risk-adjusted performance standards over athree-to-five-year period and/or full market cycle. The expected long-term rate of return on the pension plan assets is between 6.00% and 6.75% for the year ended December 31, 2023.

SJW Group calculates the market-related value of defined benefit pension plan assets, which is defined under FASB ASC Topic 715—“Compensation—Retirement Benefits” as a balance used to calculate the expected return on plan assets, using fair value. The fair value is based on quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and significant observable inputs.

Certain senior management hired before March 31, 2008 for SJWC and January 1, 2009 for CWC are eligible to receive additional retirement benefits under the supplemental executive retirement plans and retirement contracts (collectively, “SERP”). SJWC’s senior management hired on or after March 31, 2008 are eligible to receive additional retirement benefits under SJWC’s Cash Balance Executive Supplemental Retirement Plan (“Cash Balance Executive Supplemental Retirement Plan”). Both of the plans are non-qualified plans in which only senior management and other designated members of management may participate. The annual cost of the plans has been included in the determination of the net periodic benefit cost shown below. The SERP and Cash Balance Executive Supplemental Retirement Plan had a projected benefit obligation of $43,001 and $39,455 as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, and net periodic pension cost of $3,257, $4,400 and $4,456 for 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively. For the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, the amounts not recognized as a component of net periodic benefit cost was $314, $1,640, and $901, respectively, recorded as other comprehensive income on the consolidated financial statements. SJWC’s non-qualified plans are unfunded while CTWS’s SERP is funded through investments consisting primarily of life insurance contracts and assets in a Rabbi Trust. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, total investments made to fund CWC’s SERP was $6,843 and $6,395, respectively, which is included in “Investments” in SJW Group’s Consolidated Balance Sheets. The life insurance contracts are valued at cash surrender value of the policies as reported by the insurer. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the value of the life insurance contracts was $3,937 and $3,420, respectively.

The following tables summarize the fair values of the Rabbi Trust investment assets to fund CWC’s SERP by major categories as of December 31, 2023 and 2022:

Other Postretirement Benefits

In addition to providing pension and savings benefits, the company also provides health care and life insurance benefits for eligible retired employees under the respective employer-sponsored postretirement benefits other than pension plans. The benefits are paid by the company and not from plan assets due to limitations imposed by Internal Revenue Service.

Flexible Spending Plan

SJW Group sponsors flexible spending account plans for its employees for the purpose of providing eligible employees with the opportunity to choose from among the fringe benefits available under the plans. The flexible spending plan is intended to qualify as a cafeteria plan under the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code Section 125. The flexible spending plan allows employees to save pre-tax income in a Health Care Spending Account (“HCSA”) and/or a Dependent Care Spending Account (“DCSA”) to help defray the cost of out-of-pocket medical and dependent care expenses. The annual maximum limit under the HCSA and DCSA plans is $3.1 and $5, respectively.

Savings Plans for Employees

SJW Group also sponsors salary deferral plans which are defined contribution plans that allow employees to defer and contribute a portion of their earnings to the plan. Contributions, not to exceed set limits, are matched by the company. SJW Group contributions were $3,902, $3,003 and $2,822 in 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively. All of the company’s contributions are invested at the direction of the employees in funds offered under the plans.

Special Deferral Election Plans and Deferral Election Program

SJW Group maintains a special deferral election plan and a deferred compensation plan and agreements for senior management and a deferral election program for non-employee directors allowing for the deferral of a portion of their earnings each year and to realize an investment return on those funds during the deferral period. Senior management and non-employee directors have to make an election on the deferral and distribution method of the deferrals before services are rendered. CWC’s deferred compensation plan allows the company to make discretionary contributions. Senior management and non-employee directors had deferred $8,148 and $6,197 under the plans as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, $6,223 and $4,508, respectively, of the total amount deferred is related to CWC agreements.

Assumptions Utilized on Actuarial Calculations

Net periodic cost for the defined benefit plans and other postretirement benefits was calculated using the following assumptions:

The expected rate of return on plan assets was determined based on a review of historical returns, for the pension plans and for medium- to large-sized defined benefit pension funds with similar asset allocations. This review generated separate expected returns for each asset class. These expected future returns were then blended based on the pension plans’ target asset allocations.

Benefit obligations for the defined benefit plans and other postretirement benefits were calculated using the following weighted-average assumptions as of December 31:

SJW Group utilized each plan’s projected benefit stream in conjunction with the FTSE Pension Discount Curve in determining the discount rate used in calculating the pension and other postretirement benefits liabilities at the measurement date.

SJW Group has adopted MP-2021, Mortality Improvement Scales to determine mortality assumptions. The tables and scales reflect increasing life expectancies of participants in the United States. See also “Reconciliation of Funded Status” below.

For other postretirement benefits, the assumed healthcare cost trend rate for 2024 is 8.00%, grading down gradually to 4.50% by 2030.

Net Periodic Pension Costs

Net periodic costs for the defined benefit plans and other postretirement benefits for the years ended December 31 was as follows:

Reconciliation of Funded Status

For the defined benefit plans and other postretirement benefits, the benefit obligation is the projected benefit obligation and the accumulated benefit obligation, respectively. The projected benefit obligations and the funded status of the defined benefit pension and other postretirement plans as of December 31 were as follows:

For the year ended December 31, 2023, the net actuarial loss on the benefit obligation was related primarily to a loss from changes in the discount rate of $1,188, a $1,993 loss from pension data changes, and a loss from mortality changes of $168. For the year ended December 31, 2022, the net actuarial gain of the benefit obligation was related primarily to a gain from changes of discount rate of $116,372, a $12,422 loss from pension data changes, and a gain from mortality changes of $4.

The amounts recognized on the balance sheet as of December 31 were as follows:

As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the accumulated benefit obligation of the defined benefit pension plans was $270,209 and $259,838, respectively.

The following table provides selected information about plans with projected benefit obligation and accumulated benefit obligation in excess of plan assets as of December 31:

SJW Group recognizes regulatory assets and liabilities that represent actuarial losses and gains and prior service cost that have not yet been recognized as components of net periodic benefit cost for certain of its pension and other postretirement benefit plans. In accordance with ASC 980. SJW Group recorded regulatory assets of $24,593 and $45,799 as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively and regulatory liabilities of $20,196 and $14,307 as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the amounts deferred in regulatory assets that have not yet been recognized as components of net periodic benefit cost include net loss of $24,552 and $45,743, respectively, and prior service cost of $41 and $56, respectively. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the amounts deferred in regulatory liabilities that have not yet been recognized as components of net periodic benefit cost include net gain of $20,196 and $14,307, respectively.

Plan Assets

Plan assets as of December 31 were as follows:

The following tables summarize the fair values of plan assets by major categories as of December 31, 2023 and 2022:

(a)Actively managed portfolio of equity securities with the goal to exceed the benchmark performance.

(b)Actively managed portfolio of fixed income securities with the goal to exceed the benchmark performance

In 2024, SJW Group expects to make required and discretionary cash contributions of up to $8,744 to the pension plans and other postretirement benefit plans.

Benefits expected to be paid in the next five years and in the aggregate for the five years thereafter are:

Note 12. Equity Plans

Common Stock

SJW Group’s long-term incentive plans provide employees, non-employee board members or the board of directors of any parent or subsidiary, consultants, and other independent advisors who provide services to the company or subsidiary the opportunity to acquire an equity interest in SJW Group. SJW Group also maintains stock plans in connection with its acquisition of CTWS which are no longer granting new stock awards. In addition, shares are issued to employees under SJW Group’s employee stock purchase plan.

On April 26, 2023, SJW Group adopted the successor plans, the 2023 Long-Term Incentive Plan and the 2023 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, to replace the Amended and Restated Long-Term Incentive Plan (the, “Predecessor Incentive Plan”) and the 2014 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the, “Predecessor ESPP”), respectively. The Predecessor Incentive Plan terminated on April 23, 2023 and the Predecessor ESPP terminated on July 31, 2023. Each outstanding award under the Predecessor Incentive Plan will remain outstanding under the Predecessor Incentive Plan and shall be governed solely by the terms of the documents evidencing such awards. The 2023 Long-Term Incentive Plan reserves a total of 1,142,000 shares of SJW Group’s common stock for issuance to employees, non-employee board members or the board of directors of any parent or subsidiary, consultants, and other independent advisors who provide services to the SJW Group and its subsidiaries. The 2023 Employee Stock Purchase Plan reserves for a total of 500,000 shares of SJW Group’s common stock for issuance for eligible employees to purchase common stock at a discount through accumulated payroll deductions. Remaining reserves for both of the predecessor plans were terminated with the adoption of the successor plans.

The plans allow SJW Group to provide employees, non-employee Board members or the board of directors of any parent or subsidiary, consultants, and other independent advisors who provide services to the company or any parent or subsidiary the opportunity to acquire an equity interest in SJW Group.

A participant in the plans generally may not receive plan awards covering an aggregate of more than 600,000 shares of common stock in any calendar year. Additionally, awards granted under the plans may be conditioned upon the attainment of specified Company performance goals. The types of awards included in the plans are restricted stock awards, restricted stock units, performance shares, or other share-based awards. In addition, shares are issued to employees under the employee stock purchase plan (“ESPP”) that was approved by SJW Group stockholders.

As of December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021,1,080,759,1,013,782 and 946,086 shares have been issued pursuant to the plans, and 150,704,162,502 and 168,721 shares are issuable upon the vesting of outstanding restricted stock units, performance-based stock units, and deferred restricted stock units for the years ended 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively. The remaining shares available for issuance under the plans are 1,136,979 as of December 31, 2023. The compensation costs charged to income is recognized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period.

A summary of compensation costs charged to income and proceeds from share-based compensation, which are recorded to additional paid-in capital and common stock, by award type, are presented below for the years ended December 31:

Restricted Stock and Deferred Restricted Stock

A summary of SJW Group’s outstanding restricted and deferred restricted stock awards under the Plan as of December 31, 2023, and changes during the year ended December 31, 2023, are presented below:

A summary of the status of SJW Group’s nonvested restricted and deferred restricted stock awards under the plans as of December 31, 2023, and changes during the year ended December 31, 2023, are presented below:

Total fair value of restricted stock awards for all plans that were vested for the years ended 2023, 2022 and 2021 were $4,170, $4,369 and $3,332, respectively. As of December 31, 2023, the total unrecognized compensation costs related to restricted and deferred restricted stock plans amounted to $4,587. This cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.67 years.

For the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021,15,955,11,551 and 7,327, respectively, of performance-based and market-based restricted stock awards were issued upon the attainment of certain performance metrics and service-based vesting under the Plan. Based upon actual attainment relative to the target performance metric, the number of shares issuable can range between 0% to 150% of the target number of shares for performance-based restricted stock awards, or between 0% and 200% of the target number of shares for market-based restricted stock awards. As of December 31, 2023,24,726 performance-based and market-based restricted stock awards vested and 61,763 remained outstanding.

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

The ESPP allows eligible employees to purchase shares of SJW Group’s common stock at 85% of the fair value of shares on the purchase date. Under the ESPP, employees can designate up to a maximum of 10% of their base compensation for the purchase of shares of common stock, subject to certain restrictions. A total of 500,000 shares of SJW Group’s common stock have been reserved for issuance under the ESPP. The remaining shares available for issuance under the ESPP are 500,000 as of December 31, 2023.

For the year ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, a total of 34,122,36,585 and 35,304 shares, respectively, were issued under the ESPP. The plan has no look-back provisions.

For the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, SJW Group’s recorded expenses were $380, $377 and $361, respectively, related to the ESPP. The total unrecognized compensation costs related to the semi-annual offering period that ended January 31, 2024, for the ESPP is approximately $27.

Note 13. Segment and Non-Tariffed Businesses Reporting

SJW Group is a holding company with four subsidiaries: (i) SJWC, (ii) SJWTX Holdings, Inc., a holding company for TWC, its consolidated variable interest entity, Acequia Water Supply Corporation, TWOS and TWR, (iii) SJW Land Company, and (iv) SJWNE LLC, a holding company for CTWS and its subsidiaries, CWC, MWC, NEWUS and Chester Realty, Inc. The first segment provides water utility and utility-related services to its customers through SJW Group’s subsidiaries, SJWC, CWC, TWC, MWC, and NEWUS together referred to as “Water Utility Services.” Water Utility Services’ activities are water utility operations with both regulated and non-tariffed businesses. The second segment consists of property management and investment activity conducted by SJW Land Company and Chester Realty, Inc., referred to as “Real Estate Services.”

SJW Group’s reportable segments have been determined based on information used by the chief operating decision maker. SJW Group’s chief operating decision maker includes the Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, and his executive staff. The executive staff reviews financial information presented on a consolidated basis that is accompanied by disaggregated information about operating revenue, net income and total assets, by subsidiary.

The following tables set forth information relating to SJW Group’s reportable segments and distribution of regulated and non-tariffed business activities within the reportable segments. Certain allocated assets, such as goodwill, revenue and expenses have been included in the reportable segment amounts. Other business activity of SJW Group not included in the reportable segments is included in the “All Other” category.

(1) The “All Other” category for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, includes the accounts of SJW Group, SJWNE LLC, CTWS, and SJWTX Holdings, Inc. on a stand-alone basis.

(2) As of December 31, 2023, the company has performed an allocation of goodwill associated with the acquisition of CTWS to two reporting units, Connecticut and Maine, which are both aggregated within the Regulated Water Utility Services reportable segment.

SJW Group’s assets by segment are as follows as of December 31:

Note 14. Acquisitions

KT Water

On January 13, 2023, TWC reached an agreement to acquire KT Water Development Ltd. (“KT Water Development”) and SJWTX Holdings, Inc. reached an agreement to acquire KT Water Resources L.P. (“KT Water Resources”). The agreement between SJWTX Holdings, Inc. and KT Water Resources, LP, was assigned to TWR prior to closing. KT Water Development was an investor-owned water utility providing water to approximately 1,725 people through over 570 service connections in the Rockwall Ranch subdivision in southern Comal County, Texas. KT Water Resources was a wholesale groundwater resource supplier to KT Water Development formed to develop wholesale water supplies for the fast-growing utilities of Comal County, Texas. The Public Utility Commission of Texas (“PUCT”) approved the proposed KT Water Development acquisition on July 24, 2023. The acquisition of KT Water Resources did not require PUCT approval. Both transactions closed on August 14, 2023. Further information regarding each of the acquisitions is set forth below.

KT Water Development

The purchase price of KT Water Development was $7,338, all of which was cash, and was determined in accordance with a fair market value process defined under the Texas Water Code. The transaction was accounted for as a business combination in accordance with ASC Topic 805. Based on the preliminary purchase price allocation, the transaction consideration was allocated to utility plant. The final allocation will be completed within one year from the acquisition date. Transaction costs were not material. The results of KT Water Development are included in SJW Group’s consolidated statements of comprehensive income since the acquisition date and were not material. Pro forma financial information has not been presented because the acquisition was not material to SJW Group’s consolidated financial statements.

KT Water Resources

The total purchase price of KT Water Resources of $39,891 consisted of a $24,491 up-front cash payment and an obligation for a post-closing production payment with an acquisition date fair value of $15,400. Considering transaction costs of $170, the total cost of the acquisition was $40,061. The KT Water Resources acquisition was accounted for as an asset acquisition in accordance with ASC Topic 805.

The total cost was allocated as follows based on the fair values of the assets acquired: $28,386 to other intangible asset, $11,684 to nonutility property, and $9 to other current liabilities. The other intangible asset represents indefinite-life water rights. The nonutility property consists of wells, land, easements, and construction work in progress.

The post-closing production payment represents an obligation to pay a total amount of $29,000 to the seller over a period up to 29 years. The repayment schedule is based on the quantity of groundwater produced from the acquired wells, subject to certain provisions in the purchase agreement. The fair value of the post-closing payment as of the acquisition date was determined by discounting forecasted repayments based on management’s estimates of future groundwater production. The difference between the fair value of $15,400 and the gross obligation of $29,000 was recorded as a debt discount and is being amortized as interest expense using the effective interest method over the life of the obligation. The post-closing production payment obligation is classified as long-term debt in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Kendall West Utility and Bandera East Utility

On December 17, 2021, TWC completed its acquisition of Kendall West Utility and Bandera East Utility, companies that provide water services, including wastewater and recycled water services, in Kendall, Bandera and Medina counties which are located in south central Texas. Kendall West Utility and Bandera East Utility, together, added approximately 5,000 people through 1,600 service connections in a service area approximately 19 square miles to TWC’s operations. The total net cash price was $23,587. The preliminary purchase price allocation for these acquisitions primarily consisted of acquired utility plant of approximately $9,400 and goodwill of approximately $12,300. The results of Kendall West Utility and Bandera East Utility are included in SJW Group’s Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income since the acquisition date, including revenues and net loss, and were not material. During the measurement period in 2022, TWC reduced goodwill previously recognized by $161 primarily related to additional regulatory assets recognized. The final purchase price allocation resulted in goodwill of $12,167 for the transaction. Pro forma financial information has not been presented because the acquisition was not material to SJW Group’s consolidated financial statements.

CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)

Restrictions on Dividends and Other Distributions

SJW Group is a legal entity separate and distinct from its various subsidiaries. As a holding company with no significant operations of its own, SJW Group’s principal sources of funds are dividends or other distributions from its operating subsidiaries, borrowings and the issuance of equity. The rights of SJW Group and, consequently, its creditors and shareholders, to participate in any distribution of assets of any of its subsidiaries are subject to certain prior claims of creditors of such subsidiary.

The abilities of certain of SJW Group’s subsidiaries to transfer funds to SJW Group in the form of cash dividends, loans or advances are subject to certain contractual and regulatory restrictions. SJW Group and its subsidiaries are subject to debt covenants that could limit their respective abilities to pay dividends. For a discussion on these covenants, see Note 6, “Long-term Debt” to SJW Group and Subsidiaries Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. In addition, CTWS and its regulated subsidiaries are prohibited from paying dividends if not in compliance with minimum equity requirements under commitments made by SJW Group as part of the approval granted by the PURA and the Maine Public Utilities Commission in connection with the acquisition of CTWS.

As of December 31, 2023, the restricted net assets of SJW Group’s subsidiaries were approximately $408,244 or 33% of consolidated net assets of SJW Group.

Schedule II

VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS AND RESERVES

(in thousands)