HTO US Equity☆

sjw-20201231

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020

OR

For the transition period from to

Commission file number: 001-8966

SJW GROUP

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

110 West Taylor Street, San Jose, CA 95110

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

(408)279-7800

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Not Applicable

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class Trading Symbol(s) Name of each exchange on which registered

Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share SJW New York Stock Exchange LLC

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

None

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes☒ No ☐

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes ☐No☒

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes☒ No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes☒ No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or emerging growth company. See definition of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company,” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer☒ Accelerated filer ☐ Non-accelerated filer ☐ Smaller reporting company ☐Emerging growth company ☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report. ☒

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐ No ☒

As of June 30, 2020, the aggregate market value of the registrant’s common stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant was approximately $1,625 million based on the closing sale price as reported on the New York Stock Exchange.

As of February 24, 2021, 28,599,414 shares of the registrant’s common stock, par value, $0.001 per share, were outstanding.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Portions of the registrant’s Proxy Statement relating to the registrant’s Annual Meeting of Stockholders are incorporated by reference into Part III of this Form 10-K where indicated.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page

PART I

Forward-Looking Statements 3

Item 1. Business 4

Item 1A. Risk Factors 16

Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments 28

Item 2. Properties 29

Item 3. Legal Proceedings 30

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures 30

PART II

Item 6. Selected Financial Data 32

Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk 51

Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data 52

Item 9A. Controls and Procedures 97

Item 9B. Other Information 98

PART III

Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance 98

Item 11. Executive Compensation 98

Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services 99

PART IV

Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules 100

Exhibit Index 101

PART I

Forward-Looking Statements

This report contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws relating to future events and future results of SJW Group and its subsidiaries that are based on current expectations, estimates, forecasts, and projections about SJW Group and its subsidiaries and the industries in which SJW Group and its subsidiaries operate and the beliefs and assumptions of the management of SJW Group. Some of these forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking words including “believes”, “expects”, “estimates”, “anticipates”, “intends”, “seeks”, “approximately”, “plans”, “projects”, “may”, “should”, “will”, or the negative of those words or other comparable terminology. These forward-looking statements are only predictions and are subject to risks, uncertainties, and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Therefore, actual results may differ materially and adversely from those expressed in any forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, those discussed in this report under Item 1A, “Risk Factors,” and Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” and elsewhere, and in other reports and documents SJW Group files with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), specifically the most recent Form 10-Q and reports on Form 8-K filed with the SEC, each as it may be amended from time to time.

The accuracy of such statements is subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions including, but not limited to, the following factors:

•the effect of water, utility, environmental and other governmental policies and regulations, including actions concerning rates, authorized return on equity, authorized capital structures, capital expenditures and other decisions;

•changes in demand for water and other services;

•the impact of the Coronavirus (“COVID-19”) pandemic on our business operation and financial results;

•unanticipated weather conditions and changes in seasonality;

•climate change and the effects thereof;

•unexpected costs, charges or expenses;

•our ability to successfully evaluate investments in new business and growth initiatives;

•contamination of our water supplies and damage or failure of our water equipment and infrastructure;

•the risk of work stoppages, strikes and other labor-related actions;

•catastrophic events such as fires, earthquakes, explosions, floods, ice storms, tornadoes, hurricanes, terrorist acts, physical attacks, cyber-attacks, epidemic or similar occurrences;

•changes in general economic, political, business and financial market conditions;

•the ability to obtain financing on favorable terms, which can be affected by various factors, including credit ratings, changes in interest rates, compliance with regulatory requirements, compliance with the terms and conditions of our outstanding indebtedness, and general market and economic conditions; and

•legislative and general market and economic developments.

Actual results are subject to other risks and uncertainties that relate more broadly to our overall business, including those more fully described in our filings with the SEC, including our most recent reports on Form 10-K, Form 10-Q and Form 8-K. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of performance, and speak only as of the date made, and SJW Group undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements except as required by law.

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Item 1.Business

General Development of Business

SJW Group was initially incorporated as SJW Corp. in the state of California on February 8, 1985. SJW Group is a holding company with four wholly-owned subsidiaries:

•San Jose Water Company (“SJWC”) with its headquarters located at 110 West Taylor Street in San Jose, California 95110, was originally incorporated under the laws of the State of California in 1866. As part of a reorganization on February 8, 1985, SJWC became a wholly owned subsidiary of SJW Group. SJWC is a public utility in the business of providing water service to approximately 231,000 connections that serve a population of approximately one million people in an area comprising approximately 139 square miles in the metropolitan San Jose, California area.

•SJWNE LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, was formed in 2019, and is a wholly-owned subsidiary of SJW Group. SJWNE LLC is a special purpose entity established to hold SJW Group’s investment in Connecticut Water Service, Inc. (“CTWS”). CTWS with its headquarters located in Clinton, Connecticut was incorporated in 1974 in the state of Connecticut. As part of the merger transaction between SJW Group and CTWS on October 9, 2019, CTWS became a wholly-owned subsidiary of SJWNE LLC. CTWS is a holding company with four wholly-owned subsidiaries. The Connecticut Water Company (“Connecticut Water”) and The Maine Water Company (“Maine Water”) are public utilities in the business of providing water service to approximately 139,000 connections that serve a population of approximately 485,000 people in 81 municipalities throughout Connecticut and Maine and more than 3,000 wastewater connections in Southbury, Connecticut. The remaining two subsidiaries are Chester Realty, Inc., a real estate company in Connecticut, and New England Water Utility Services, Inc. (“NEWUS”), which provides contract water and sewer operations and other water related services. Effective September 30, 2020, The Heritage Village Water Company (“HVWC”) and The Avon Water Company (“Avon Water”) merged into Connecticut Water after receiving merger approval from the Connecticut Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (“PURA”). Prior to the merger, HVWC and Avon Water were subsidiaries of CTWS.

•SJWTX, Inc. was incorporated in the state of Texas in 2005. SJWTX, Inc. is doing business as Canyon Lake Water Service Company (“CLWSC”). CLWSC is a public utility in the business of providing water service to approximately 20,000 connections that serve approximately 59,000 people. CLWSC’s service area comprises more than 247 square miles in the southern region of the Texas Hill Country in Blanco, Comal, Hays and Travis counties, the growing region between San Antonio and Austin, Texas. SJWTX, Inc. has a 25% interest in Acequia Water Supply Corporation (“Acequia”). Acequia has been determined to be a variable interest entity within the scope of Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standard Codification (“ASC”) Topic 810, “Consolidation” with SJWTX, Inc. as the primary beneficiary. As a result, Acequia has been consolidated with SJWTX, Inc.

•SJW Land Company was incorporated in 1985. SJW Land Company owns undeveloped land and operates commercial buildings in Tennessee. SJW Land also has a 70% limited partnership interest in 444 West Santa Clara Street, L.P. The partnership owned a commercial building in California which was sold by the partnership in 2017. See Note 1 of “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” for a discussion of the sales transaction.

Together, SJWC, Connecticut Water, CLWSC, Maine Water and NEWUS, are referred to as “Water Utility Services.”

SJW Land Company and its consolidated variable interest entity, 444 West Santa Clara Street, L.P. and Chester Realty, Inc. are collectively referred to as “Real Estate Services.”

SJW Group and CTWS Merger

On October 9, 2019, SJW Group completed its previously announced acquisition of CTWS pursuant to the terms of the Second Amended and Restated Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated August 5, 2018, by and among SJW Group, Hydro Sub, Inc., a Connecticut corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of SJW Group, and CTWS. SJW Group acquired all of the outstanding stock of CTWS for $70.00 per share in cash (without interest and less any applicable withholding taxes). The total cash purchase price was approximately $838.5 million, less cash received of $3.0 million, and approximately $6.4 million related to outstanding awards of restricted stock units and deferred share units assumed in connection with the CTWS merger. SJW Group financed the acquisition with net proceeds from its December 2018 sale of 7,762,000 shares of common stock of approximately $411.1 million, and its October 2019 issuance of $427.4 million in new fixed rate term loans. SJW Group raised an additional $18.5 million in the debt financing to partially finance transaction costs incurred in connection with the CTWS acquisition. SJW Group raised an additional $60.0 million through debt financing to partially refinance certain CTWS short-term borrowings on its existing lines of credit after the CTWS acquisition closed.

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Regulation and Rates

California Regulatory Affairs

SJWC’s rates, service and other matters affecting its business are subject to regulation by the California Public Utilities Commission (“CPUC”).

Generally, there are three types of rate adjustments that affect SJWC’s revenue collection: general rate adjustments, cost of capital adjustments, and offset rate adjustments. General rate adjustments are authorized in general rate case decisions, which usually authorize an initial rate adjustment followed by two annual escalation adjustments. General rate applications are normally filed and processed during the last year covered by the most recent general rate case as required by the CPUC in order to avoid any gaps in regulatory decisions on general rate adjustments.

Cost of capital adjustments are rate adjustments resulting from the CPUC’s usual tri-annual establishment of a reasonable rate of return for SJWC’s capital investments.

The purpose of an offset rate adjustment is to compensate utilities for changes in specific pre-authorized offsettable capital investments or expenses, primarily for purchased water, groundwater extraction, purchased power and pensions. Pursuant to Section 792.5 of the California Public Utilities Code, a balancing account must be maintained for each expense item for which such revenue offsets have been authorized. Memorandum accounts track revenue impacts due to catastrophic events, certain unforeseen water quality expenses related to new federal and state water quality standards, energy efficiency, water conservation during periods of mandated water restrictions, water tariffs and other approved activities or as directed by the CPUC. The purpose of balancing and memorandum accounts is to track the under-collection or over-collection associated with such expense changes and activities for future recovery considerations.

On July 20, 2018, the California Public Utilities Commission (“CPUC”) issued an Order Instituting Investigation (“OII”) No. 18-07-007 concerning SJW Group’s then proposed merger with CTWS. A Scoping Memorandum was issued on September 7, 2018, which identified the issues to be considered in the proceeding as to whether the proposed merger is subject to CPUC approval and to evaluate the merger’s likely impacts within California. On September 14, 2018, SJW Group and SJWC submitted joint comments in response to the issues identified in accordance with the Scoping Memorandum’s adopted schedule, and reply comments were submitted on October 19, 2018. A Public Participation Hearing was held on January 31, 2019. On March 4, 2019, the CPUC suspended this proceeding due to SJW Group’s announcement of its intention to file a new merger approval application with the PURA. On April 3, 2019, SJW Group and CTWS jointly filed a new merger application with PURA. After securing the required approvals from both PURA and the Maine Public Utilities Commission (“MPUC”), SJW Group announced the close of the merger on October 9, 2019, and notified the CPUC accordingly. On August 31, 2020, the CPUC issued Decision 20-08-036 dismissing the OII and closing the proceeding.

On September 14, 2018, the CPUC issued OII No. 18-09-003 to which SJWC was named as a Respondent. The OII was to determine whether the company unlawfully overcharged customers over a 30-year period by failing to pro-rate service charges when increases occurred during a billing period, and whether the company double-billed service charges during one billing period when allegedly switching from billing such charges in advance to billing in arrears. The OII resulted from a report by the CPUC’s Consumer Protection and Enforcement Division (“CPED”), dated August 16, 2018, recommending an investigation into SJWC’s billing practice. CPED calculated a refund obligation of approximately $2.1 million for the years 2014 to 2016 that had been the subject of SJWC’s Advice Letter No. 510. CPED calculated a further refund obligation of approximately $2.0 million for the years 1987 to 2013. CPED also asserted that the company double-billed its customers during a billing period when it allegedly converted from billing in advance to billing in arrears, assumed that such double-billing occurred in January 2011, and calculated a refund obligation of approximately $4.9 million. The OII notes these estimates and identifies the proper refund amount as an issue in the proceeding. The OII also identifies the CPUC’s authority to consider imposing penalties on SJWC in amounts ranging from $500 to $50,000 per offense, per day. On July 24, 2019, SJWC and CPED jointly filed a motion for CPUC approval of a Settlement Agreement (“Agreement”) over SJWC’s past customer billing practices. The Agreement requires the company to pay approximately $2.1 million in customer credits, consisting of $1.8 million for refunds during the period from 1987 to 2011 and an additional $0.4 million in customer credits to low-income water customers, and invest $5.0 million in utility plant that is not allowed an investment return or rate recovery. The Agreement was subject to final approval by the CPUC. A CPUC Presiding Officer’s Decision approved the Agreement in December 2019, but an appeal was filed in January 2020 by a group of SJWC customers. A final CPUC decision approving the Agreement and dismissing the appeal was approved on February 27, 2020, and concluded this proceeding. Advice Letter No. 545 was filed on March 13, 2020, requesting authorization to provide refunds to customers. For a typical residential customer with a 3/4-inch meter, the one-time refund was $5.52. This advice letter was approved effective April 12, 2020, and SJWC completed issuing refunds in mid-June 2020.

On June 19, 2019, the CPUC issued its final decision resolving the remaining issues in SJWC’s general rate case for 2019. Decision 19-06-010 denied the establishment of a Water Revenue Adjustment Mechanism (“WRAM”) / Sales Reconciliation

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Mechanism (“SRM”) and authorized the recovery of the Hydro Generation Research, Development and Demonstration Memorandum Account balance as of September 30, 2016. SJWC filed Advice Letter No. 534 on August 1, 2019, to recover the $1.24 million Hydro Generation Memorandum Account balance as of September 30, 2017, via a surcharge over a three-year period. The CPUC rejected the advice letter on October 10, 2019, citing an error in the name of the memorandum account and recommended a correction and a new filing for recovery. SJWC filed to correct the record and received the CPUC’s decision on April 10, 2020. Advice Letter 548 was filed on April 24, 2020, requesting recovery of $1.22 million via a 36-month surcharge. The adjustment in the memorandum account balance reflected project costs incurred after September 30, 2016, which are not allowable per Decision 19-06-010. Per Resolution W-5228 approved on August 27, 2020 by the CPUC, further adjustments were made to the memorandum account balance resulting in an approved recovery of $1.22 million which was recognized in the company’s regulatory assets as of September 30, 2020. The recovery was approved in Advice Letter 548A effective August 31, 2020.

SJWC filed Advice Letter No. 537 with the CPUC requesting authorization to refund the balance in its 2018 Tax Accounting Memorandum Account as required by the general rate case decision on October 18, 2019. On December 3, 2019, Advice Letter 537-A was filed to refund the balance via a one-time surcredit. For a typical residential customer with a 3/4-inch meter, the one-time refund was $20.84 per customer. This advice letter was approved effective January 21, 2020, and refunds to customers began and completed in January 2020.

SJWC filed Advice Letter No. 541 on November 20, 2019, with the CPUC requesting authorization to increase its revenue requirement by $8.6 million or 2.28% in 2020 for the first escalation year authorized in our 2018 General Rate Case Decision 18-011-025 which established rates for 2019, 2020, and 2021. This advice letter was approved on December 26, 2019, and new rates became effective January 1, 2020.

On December 6, 2019, SJWC filed Application No. 19-12-002 with the CPUC requesting approval for cost recovery to deploy Advanced Metering Infrastructure throughout its service area. The application seeks revenue increases of $2.3 million or 0.61% in 2021, $4.0 million or 1.04% in 2022, $2.5 million or 0.65% in 2023, and $0.3 million or 0.09% in 2024 based on current rates in effect. A decision from the CPUC is anticipated in 2021.

On January 22, 2020, SJWC, along with three other California water utilities, filed a joint request for a one-year deferment on the Cost of Capital filings which would otherwise be due on May 1, 2020. Postponing the filing one year would alleviate administrative processing costs on the utilities as well as the CPUC staff, and provide relief for both CPUC and utility resources already strained by numerous other proceedings. The request was conditioned on no changes to the current Water Cost of Capital Mechanism in place during the one-year deferment. On March 11, 2020, the CPUC approved the request.

On March 17, 2020, the CPUC ordered its regulated water utilities to halt customer disconnection activities in connection with the COVID-19 pandemic. On April 2, 2020, Governor Gavin Newsom issued Executive Order N-42-20 suspending customer disconnection activities until further notice. On April 16, 2020, the CPUC issued Resolution M-4842 directing utilities to implement emergency customer protections to assist customers such as waiving reconnection deposits, offering payment arrangements, and suspending disconnections for nonpayment. This resolution is effective for up to one year, or April 15, 2021, with the option to extend. On February 11, 2021, the CPUC approved extending customer protections required in Resolution M-4842 through June 30, 2021, through approval of Resolution M-4849 . The resolution also requires water utilities to develop a transition plan regarding shutoffs and terminations with customers once the moratorium ends. SJWC is currently working on such plan.

On March 19, 2020, SJWC filed Advice Letter 546 to extend customer protections listed in the company’s Disaster Relief Customer Protections and Outreach Plan as required by the CPUC in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The filing also activated SJWC’s Catastrophic Event Memorandum Account (“CEMA”) to track costs related to SJWC’s response which includes labor and materials, anticipated increase in bad debt from the suspension of shutoffs for non-payment, waived deposits and reconnection fees, and divergence from actual versus authorized usage. The customer protections and CEMA were approved effective March 4, 2020. SJWC anticipates requesting recovery of the COVID-19 pandemic response costs in a future general rate case or other filings.

On April 10, 2020, SJWC filed Application No. 20-04-009 seeking authorization to issue $300 million in new debt and $50 million in new equity. A final decision authorizing our financing application was approved on November 19, 2020.

SJWC filed Advice Letter No. 552 with the CPUC requesting authorization to establish a Polyfluoroalkyl Substances Memorandum Account (“PFAS MA”) on August 18, 2020. The advice letter was approved retroactive to March 1, 2019. SJWC will track in this account incremental expenses related to PFAS monitoring, sampling, and customer outreach activities for potential future recovery.

SJWC filed Advice Letter 556 on November 16, 2020, with the CPUC requesting authorization to increase its revenue requirement by $11.8 million or 3.04% in 2021 for the final escalation year authorized in our 2018 General Rate Case Decision

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18-011-025 which established rates for 2019, 2020, and 2021. This advice letter was approved on December 17, 2020, and new rates became effective January 1, 2021.

On January 4, 2021, SJWC filed General Rate Case Application No. 21-01-003 requesting authority for an increase of revenue of $51.6 million or 13.35% in 2022, $16.9 million or 3.88% in 2023, and $19.2 million or 4.24% in 2024. The application also includes requests to recover $18.5 million from balancing and memorandum accounts, authorization for a $435.0 million capital budget, further alignment between actual and authorized usage, and a shift to greater revenue collection in the service charge. The application will undergo a year-long review process and the new rates, if approved, are expected to be effective January 1, 2022.

On January 5, 2021, SJWC, along with three other California water utilities, filed a joint request for another one-year deferment on the Cost of Capital filings which would otherwise be due on May 1, 2021. Postponing the filing another year would alleviate administrative processing costs on the utilities as well as the CPUC staff, and provide relief for both CPUC and utility resources already strained by numerous other proceedings and COVID-19. The request is conditioned on no changes to the current Water Cost of Capital Mechanism in place during the one-year deferment. The request was denied on February 22, 2021.

Connecticut Regulatory Affairs

Connecticut Water’s rates, service and other matters affecting its business are subject to regulation by the PURA. Our Connecticut regulated operations seek rate relief as necessary to achieve an authorized rate of return.

PURA allows the Connecticut regulated operations to add surcharges to customers’ bills in order to recover certain costs associated with approved eligible capital projects through the Water Infrastructure Conservation Adjustment (“WICA”) in between full rate cases, as well as approved surcharges for the Water Revenue Adjustment (“WRA”).

Connecticut Water and the HVWC division mitigate the risk associated with changes in demand through a PURA approved WRA mechanism. The WRA is used to reconcile actual water demands with the demands projected in the most recent general rate case and allows companies to implement a surcharge or surcredit as necessary to recover the revenues approved in the general rate case. The WRA removes the financial disincentive for water utilities to develop and implement effective water conservation programs. The WRA allows water companies to defer on the balance sheet, as a regulatory asset or liability, for later collection from or crediting to customers the amount by which actual revenues deviate from the revenues allowed in the most recent general rate proceedings, including WICA proceedings. Projects eligible for WICA surcharges include certain types of aging utility plant, primarily water mains, meters, and service lines. Additionally, certain energy conservation projects, improvements required to comply with streamflow regulations, and improvements to acquired systems are eligible for WICA surcharges.

As of December 31, 2020, WICA surcharges for Connecticut Water and the Avon Water division were 5.75% and 9.31%, respectively. The HVWC division does not have an approved WICA surcharge. On January 28, 2020, Connecticut Water filed a WICA application representing an additional 2.6% surcharge, for a cumulative WICA surcharge of 5.84%. Additionally, on February 7, 2020, Connecticut Water and the Avon Water division separately filed their annual WICA reconciliations which called for 0.09% and 0.05% reductions of the WICA surcharges, respectively. On March 25, 2020, in separate decisions, PURA approved a net cumulative 5.75% WICA surcharge for Connecticut Water and a net cumulative 9.26% WICA surcharge for the Avon Water division, both of which became effective on customers’ bills on April 1, 2020. On October 28, 2020, Connecticut Water filed a WICA application representing an additional 1.11% surcharge or approximately $1.0 million increase in revenues, for a cumulative WICA surcharge of 6.94% which is scheduled to become effective April 1, 2021.

On March 3, 2020, Connecticut Water filed an application, Docket No. 20-03-04, with PURA to merge Avon Water and HVWC division’s with and into Connecticut Water. The application was made to streamline borrowings, regulatory filings and internal administrative tasks associated with maintaining separate corporate entities and was approved by PURA on September 16, 2020. The merger became effective on September 30, 2020. After the approval and prior to the completion of the merger, the outstanding debt balances held at Avon Water and HVWC division’s were repaid in full. The rates and applicable surcharges for the former subsidiaries remain in effect for those operating divisions until changes are approved by PURA in the next Connecticut Water general rate case, which was filed on January 15, 2021.

On January 15, 2021, Connecticut Water filed an application with PURA to amend rates for its customer, including those of former AWC and HVWC companies. The filing requests an increase of $20.2 million in annual revenues that includes more than $265.5 million in completed infrastructure investments that are not currently in approved rates and surcharges. The proposed increase will be applied across the company but may differ by rate divisions, meter size and between customer rate categories, i.e. for residential, commercial, industrial, etc. users. The application also reflects the costs of operating and maintaining the utility, including expenditures on power and treatment additives that have increased since the company’s last

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general rate case in 2010. PURA has 200 days from the filing to review the application, and the approved rates will go into effect soon thereafter.

On March 12, 2020, PURA issued Docket No. 20-03-15 to establish a State of Emergency Utility Shut-off Moratorium for the COVID-19 pandemic. The moratorium ordered regulated utility companies to refrain from terminating utility service to residential customers, except for safety reasons until August 1, 2020, or until such other time as determined by the PURA. The moratorium was extended through October 1, 2020 at which time the company was permitted to resume standard collection practices until or unless there is further action by PURA. In the same docket, PURA directed the public service companies to offer COVID-19 payment plans for the duration of the Governor’s Emergency Order (currently through April 20, 2021), and allow customers up to 24 months for payment arrangements on their water bills. The docket directs the public service companies to maintain a detailed record of costs incurred and revenues lost as a result of implementing its orders in the docket and allows for the establishment a regulatory asset to track incurred costs. Approval for recovery of additional costs incurred and/or revenues lost relating to the COVID-19 pandemic would be considered for recovery in the Connecticut Water’s next general rate case proceeding.

The PURA statutes for utility regulation were amended by the legislature in October 2020, with the most notable changes that affect water companies were adjustments to extend the timelines for adjudication of various regulatory proceedings. In particular, the following proceeding timelines were increased: general rate case from 150 days with 30 day extension (180 days maximum) to 200 days, change in control from 120 days with 30 day extension (150 days maximum) to 200 days with an opportunity for a 30 day extension (230 days maximum), and financing from 30 days to 60 days. In addition, there is a new requirement that any future change in control or merger approvals would require the composition of the board of directors of the holding company to include a proportional percentage of Connecticut-based directors. The law also authorizes, but does not require, the PURA to consider adoption of a framework for performance-based regulation of private water companies.

Texas Regulatory Affairs

CLWSC’s rates are subject to the economic regulation of the Public Utilities Commission of Texas (“PUCT”). The PUCT authorize rate increases after the filing of an Application for a Rate/Tariff Change. Rate cases may be filed as they become necessary, provided there is no current rate case outstanding. Furthermore, rate cases may not be filed more frequently than once every 12 months.

As required, CLWSC submitted on January 27, 2020, its Water Pass-Through Charge (“WPC”) true-up report for the Canyon Lake area systems 2019 purchased water costs. This WPC is an annual filing to change the component of CLWSC’s water rates for changes in purchased water costs since the prior year annual true-up report. The 2019 WPC true-up report for the water systems located in the Canyon Lake area resulted in a reduction of the WPC usage rate from $1.05 to $0.95 per thousand gallons which became effective on February 1, 2020. The WPC filing for the Canyon Lake area was approved by the Public Utilities Commission of Texas (“PUCT”) and a new tariff with the WPC rate was issued in May 2020. The Deer Creek Ranch water system has a separate water pass-through charge. A WPC filing for Deer Creek Ranch is required only when there is a change in purchased water costs. The WPC true-up report for this system was submitted December 1, 2020, which resulted in a decrease in the usage charge from $2.02 to $1.84 per thousand gallons, and an increase in the monthly base charge of $0.51 per residential account. The Deer Creek Ranch WPC rate changes became effective October 1, 2020.

In connection with the disaster declaration in Texas, the PUCT issued Order No. 50664-106 to mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on residential water utility customers. CLWSC responded to this order by stopping disconnections for nonpayment of utility bills, and not charging fees for late payments. The PUCT allowed this order to expire on June 13, 2020. The PUCT also issued Accounting Order under No. 50664-108, which instructs utilities to record the incremental costs and lost revenues from theCOVID-19 pandemic in a regulatory tracking account for future recovery. These amounts will be considered by the PUCT for recovery during the utility’s next rate application.

Maine Regulatory Affairs

Maine Water’s rates, service and other matters affecting its business are subject to regulation by the MPUC. As with the Connecticut regulated operations, rate relief is sought as necessary to enable the company to achieve an authorized rate of return. MPUC approves rates on a division-by-division basis in Maine and allows Maine Water to add surcharges to customers’ bills in order to recover certain costs associated with capital projects through the Water Infrastructure Surcharge (“WISC”) in between general rate cases. Projects eligible for WISC surcharges include all infrastructure replacement or repair projects, excluding meters, that are necessary for the transmission, distribution or treatment of water.

In 2015, a WRA mechanism law in Maine became available to regulated water utilities. Maine’s rate-adjustment mechanism could provide revenue stabilization in divisions with declining water consumption and Maine Water expects to request usage of this mechanism in future rate filings when consumption trends support its use.

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On December 20, 2019, Maine Water filed a general a rate increase for their Skowhegan Division seeking approximately $0.2 million, or 14.7%, in additional revenue with the MPUC. On June 17, 2020, the MPUC approved a general rate increase for Skowhegan Division customers allowing $0.2 million in additional revenue. Per the MPUC decision, the increase will be implemented in two steps: an initial 9.8% rate increase effective June 15, 2020, and a 3.51% rate increase effective July 1, 2021. The combined rate increase is 13.31%.

On January 20, 2020, Maine Water filed WISC applications with the MPUC in four divisions requesting an increase between 1.76% and 3.00%, representing approximately $0.4 million in additional revenues. The WISC application was approved on February 26, 2020 and the surcharges were effective March 1, 2020.

On March 16, 2020, MPUC issued an emergency moratorium on utility disconnection activities in connection to the COVID-19 pandemic. The moratorium directed public utility companies not to engage in any disconnection activities including disconnection notices for all classes of customers until further notice from MPUC. Maine Water is tracking COVID-19 related costs for potential future recovery in rates charged to customers. On September 17, 2020, the MPUC issued an order lifting the moratorium on utility disconnections in Maine effective November 1, 2020. The Order requires specific notifications by utilities to their customers prior to resuming disconnection activities and requires a waiver of late payment fess for customers who enter into payment arrangements on or before December 31, 2020. Maine Water is providing customer notices as required and resumed utility disconnections in November, 2020.

On October 9, 2020, Maine Water filed a request for approval of a special rate contract between Maine Water and the Kennebec Water District (“KWD”). Maine Water has purchased water from KWD under a special rate contract approved by the MPUC since November 2000. The MPUC approved the request in an Order dated January 5, 2021 thatcontinues the existing relationship between the two water utilities and extends the agreement for an additional 20 years.

On November 23, 2020, Maine Water filed WISC applications with the MPUC in five divisions requesting an increase of between 1.1% and 5%, representing approximately $0.3 million in additional revenues. The WISC applications were approved on December 15 and December 22, 2020 and the surcharges became effective January 1, 2021.

Please also see Item 1A, “Risk Factors,” Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” and Note 1 of “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.”

Description of Business

General

The principal business of Water Utility Services consists of the production, purchase, storage, purification, distribution, wholesale and retail sale of water and wastewater services. SJWC provides water services to approximately 231,000 connections that serve approximately one million people residing in portions of the cities of San Jose and Cupertino and in the cities of Campbell, Monte Sereno, Saratoga and the Town of Los Gatos, and adjacent unincorporated territories, all in the County of Santa Clara in the State of California. The CTWS companies provide water service to approximately 139,000 service connections that serve a population of approximately 485,000 people in 81 municipalities with a service area of approximately 269 square miles throughout Connecticut and Maine and 3,000 wastewater connections in Southbury, Connecticut. CLWSC provides water service to approximately 20,000 connections that serve approximately 59,000 people in a service area comprising more than 247 square miles in the region between San Antonio and Austin, Texas. Together, the Water Utility Services distribute water to customers in their respective service areas in accordance with accepted water utility methods.

SJWC, Connecticut Water and Maine Water provide non-tariffed services under agreements with municipalities and other utilities. These non-tariffed services include water system operations, maintenance agreements and antenna site leases. In addition, in October 1997, SJWC commenced operation of the City of Cupertino municipal water system under the terms of a 25-year lease. The system is adjacent to the SJWC service area and has approximately 4,600 service connections. Under the terms of the lease, SJWC paid an upfront $6.8 million concession fee to the City of Cupertino that is being amortized over the contract term. SJWC assumed responsibility for all maintenance and operating costs of the system, while receiving all payments for water service. SJWC and the City of Cupertino signed an amendment to the lease agreement dated January 8, 2020. Under the terms of the amended lease agreement, SJWC agreed to make an additional up-front payment of $5 million that could be used to invest in capital improvements in Cupertino’s water system prior to the expiration of the lease in September 2022. Any unspent funds at lease termination remain the property Cupertino.

NEWUS provides contracted services to water utilities in the State of Connecticut, as well as offers Linebacker® protection plans for public drinking water customers. Linebacker plans cover a limited amount of the cost of repairs to water and wastewater service lines and in-home plumbing. Services provided are dependent on the selected plan.

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SJW Land Company owns undeveloped real estate property, commercial and warehouse properties in Tennessee and holds a 70% limited partnership interest in 444 West Santa Clara Street, L.P. Chester Realty, Inc. owns commercial properties and parcels of land in Connecticut.

Among other things, operating results from the water business fluctuate according to the demand for water, which is often influenced by seasonal conditions, such as impact of drought, summer temperatures or the amount and timing of precipitation in Water Utility Services’ service areas. Revenue, production expenses and income are affected by changes in water sales and the availability of surface water supply. Overhead costs, such as payroll and benefits, depreciation, interest on long-term debt, and property taxes, remain fairly constant despite variations in the amount of water sold. As a result, earnings are highest in the higher demand, warm summer months and lowest in the lower demand, cool winter months.

Water Supply

California Water Supply

SJWC’s water supply consists of groundwater from wells, surface water from watershed run-off and diversion, reclaimed water, and imported water purchased from the Santa Clara Valley Water District (“Valley Water”) under the terms of a master contract with Valley Water expiring in 2051. During normal rainfall years, purchased water provides approximately 40% to 50% of SJWC’s annual production. An additional 40% to 50% of its water supply is pumped from the underground basin which is subject to a groundwater extraction charge paid to Valley Water. Surface supply, which during a normal rainfall year satisfies about 6% to 8% of SJWC’s annual water supply needs, provides approximately 1% of its water supply in a dry year and approximately 14% in a wet year. In dry years, the decrease in water from surface run-off and diversion and the corresponding increase in purchased and pumped water increases production expenses substantially.

The pumps and motors at SJWC’s groundwater production facilities are propelled by electric power. SJWC has installed standby power generators at 37 of its strategic water production sites and manages a fleet of 21 portable generators deployed throughout the distribution system for power outages at remaining pumping facilities. In addition, the commercial office and operations control centers are outfitted with standby power equipment that allow critical distribution and customer service operations to continue during a power outage. Valley Water has informed SJWC that its filter plants, which deliver purchased water to SJWC, are also equipped with standby generators. In the event of a power outage, SJWC believes it will be able to prevent an interruption of service to customers for a limited period by pumping water using generator power and by using purchased water from Valley Water.

In 2020, the level of water in the Santa Clara Valley groundwater basin, which is managed by the Valley Water, experienced a decrease due to an increase in groundwater pumping by various water retailers in the region, and lower than normal local rainfall and natural recharge. As reported by Valley Water at the end of 2020, the groundwater level in the Santa Clara Plain was 15 feet lower compared to the same time in 2019, and 14 feet lower than the five-year average. The total groundwater storage at the end of 2020 was within Stage 1 (Normal) of the Valley Water’s Water Shortage Contingency Plan. On January 1, 2021, Valley Water’s 10 reservoirs were 13% of capacity with 22,201 acre-feet of water in storage. As of December 31, 2020, SJWC’s Lake Elsman was 10.7% of capacity with 657 acre-feet of water, approximately 22.1% of the five-year seasonal average. In addition, the rainfall at SJWC’s Lake Elsman was measured at 5.10 inches for the period from July 1, 2020 through December 31, 2020, which is 38.3% of the five-year average. Local surface water is a less costly source of water than groundwater or purchased water and its availability significantly impacts SJWC’s results of operations. SJWC’s Montevina Water Treatment Plant treated 3,572 acre-feet of water in 2020, which is 51.9% of the five-year average. SJWC believes that its various sources of water supply will be sufficient to meet customer demand in 2021.

California also faces long-term water supply challenges. SJWC actively works with Valley Water to meet the challenges by continuing to educate customers on responsible water use practices and conducting long-range water supply planning.

Connecticut Water Supply

As of December 31, 2020, the Connecticut water utility services’ infrastructure consisted of 65 noncontiguous water systems in the State of Connecticut. These systems, in total, consist of approximately 1,800 miles of water main and reservoir storage capacity of 2.4 billion gallons. The safe, dependable yield from our 235 active wells and 18 surface water supplies is approximately 65 million gallons per day. Water sources vary among the individual systems, but overall approximately 80% of the total dependable yield comes from surface water supplies and 20% from wells. The Connecticut water utilities supplement their water supplies with purchase water contracts with neighboring utilities.

Texas Water Supply

CLWSC’s water supply consists of groundwater from wells and purchased treated and raw water from the Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority (“ GBRA”). CLWSC has long-term agreements with the GBRA, which expire in 2037, 2040, 2044 and 2050. The agreements, which are take-or-pay contracts, provide CLWSC with an aggregate of 6,900 acre-feet of water per year from Canyon Lake at prices that may be adjusted periodically by GBRA. CLWSC also has raw water supply agreements with the

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Lower Colorado River Authority (“LCRA”) and West Travis Public Utility Agency (“WTPUA”) expiring in 2059 and 2046, respectively, to provide for 250 acre-feet of water per year from Lake Austin and the Colorado River, respectively, at prices that may be adjusted periodically by the agencies.

Maine Water Supply

As of December 31, 2020, the Maine Water infrastructure consisted of 12 noncontiguous water systems in the State of Maine. These systems, in total, consists of approximately 600 miles of water main and reservoir storage capacity of 7.0 billion gallons. The safe, dependable yield from our 14 active wells and 7 surface water supplies is approximately 120 million gallons per day. Water sources vary among the individual systems, but overall approximately 80% of the total dependable yield comes from surface water supplies and 20% from wells. Maine Water supplements their water supplies with purchase water contracts with neighboring utilities.

Please also see further discussion under Item 1A, “Risk Factors” and Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”

Franchises

Franchises granted by local jurisdictions permit Water Utility Services to construct, maintain, and operate water distribution systems within the streets and other public properties of a given jurisdiction.

SJWC holds the necessary franchises to provide water in portions of the cities of San Jose and Cupertino and in the cities of Campbell, Monte Sereno and Saratoga, the Town of Los Gatos and the unincorporated areas of Santa Clara County. None of the franchises have a termination date, other than the franchise for the unincorporated areas of Santa Clara County, which terminates in 2035.

The Connecticut Water’s utility services hold the necessary franchises to provide water in portions of the towns of Ashford, Avon, Beacon Falls, Bethany, Bolton, Brooklyn, Burlington, Canton, Chester, Clinton, Colchester, Columbia, Coventry, Deep River, Durham, East Granby, East Haddam, East Hampton, East Windsor, Ellington, Enfield, Essex, Farmington, Griswold, Guilford, Haddam, Hebron, Killingly, Killingworth, Lebanon, Madison, Manchester, Mansfield, Marlborough, Middlebury, Naugatuck, Old Lyme, Old Saybrook, Oxford, Plainfield, Plymouth, Portland, Prospect, Simsbury, Somers, Southbury, South Windsor, Stafford, Stonington, Suffield, Thomaston, Thompson, Tolland, Vernon, Voluntown, Waterbury, Westbrook, Willington, Windsor Locks and Woodstock. Additionally, HVWC division serves the Town of Southbury with wastewater services. None of the franchises of the Connecticut water utility services have a termination date.

Maine Water holds franchises in the towns served are Biddeford, Saco, Old Orchard Beach, Scarborough (Pine Point), Porter, Parsonsfield, Hiram, Freeport, Camden, Rockland, Rockport, Owls Head, Union, Thomaston, Warren, Bucksport, Skowhegan, Oakland, Hartland, Millinocket and Greenville. None of the franchises with Maine Water have a termination date.

CLWSC holds the franchises for water and wastewater services to the City of Bulverde and the City of Spring Branch, which terminate in 2029 and 2036, respectively. The unincorporated areas that CLWSC serves in Comal, Blanco, Hays, and Travis Counties do not require water service providers to obtain franchises.

Seasonal Factors

Water sales are seasonal in nature and influenced by weather conditions. The timing of precipitation and climatic conditions can cause seasonal water consumption by customers to vary significantly. Demand for water is generally lower during the cooler and rainy winter months. Demand increases in the spring when the temperature rises and rain diminishes.

Competition

The regulated operations of Water Utility Services are public utilities regulated by the CPUC in California, PURA in Connecticut, PUCT in Texas and MPUC in Maine (collectively, “the Regulators”) and operate within service areas approved by the regulators. Statutory laws provide that no other investor-owned public utility may operate in the service area of another public utility of the same class (e.g., another water utility) without first obtaining from the regulator a certificate of public convenience and necessity or similar authorization. Past experience shows such a certificate will be issued only after demonstrating that service in such area is inadequate.

California law also provides that whenever a public agency constructs facilities to extend utility service to the service area of a privately-owned public utility, like SJWC, such an act constitutes the taking of property and is conditioned upon payment of just compensation to the private utility.

Under the California law, municipalities, water districts and other public agencies have been authorized to engage in the ownership and operation of water systems. Such agencies are empowered to condemn properties operated by privately-owned public utilities upon payment of just compensation and are further authorized to issue bonds (including revenue bonds) for the purpose of acquiring or constructing water systems.

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Under Connecticut law, any condemnation of water utility property by a municipality or any unit of state government requires the payment of just compensation for the taking. Further, any condemnation of utility land by a state department, institution or agency (including a municipality) requires the approval of the PURA.

Under Texas law, municipalities, water districts and other public agencies are authorized to engage in the ownership and operation of water systems. Such entities are empowered to acquire property, whether public or private, real or personal, by the exercise of the right of eminent domain, which entails payment to the owner of the just compensation for the property taken. However, under current case law those entities may not exercise that right of eminent domain to take the entire operation of an investor-owned utility.

Under Maine law, municipalities-individually and collectively, consumer-owned and standard water districts, and other public agencies are authorized to engage in the ownership and operation of water systems. Such entities may acquire the real and personal property of a privately-owned water company, and take over the company’s operations, by exercising the power of eminent domain. In such a taking, the acquiring entity must furnish the condemnee just compensation.

To the company’s knowledge, no municipality, water district or other public agency has pending any proceeding to condemn any part of its existing water systems. The company is also unaware of any eminent domain proceeding to take any of its property or operations.

Environmental Matters

Water Utility Services produce potable water and wastewater services in accordance with all applicable county, state and federal environmental rules and regulations. Additionally, public utilities are subject to environmental regulation by various other state and local governmental authorities.

Water Utility Services is currently in compliance with all of the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s (the “EPA”) surface water treatment performance standards, drinking water standards for disinfection by-products and primary maximum contaminant levels. These standards have been adopted and are enforced by the California State Water Board, Division of Drinking Water, the Connecticut Department of Public Health, the Maine Department of Health and Human Services, and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality for SJWC, Connecticut Water, Maine Water and CLWSC, respectively.

Other state and local environmental regulations apply to our Water Utility Services’ operations and facilities. These regulations relate primarily to the handling, storage and disposal of hazardous materials and discharges to the environment, including wastewater operations in the States of Connecticut and Texas. SJWC began performing hazardous materials site assessments and remediation prior to the construction phase of capital projects in 2006. The site assessments are performed to remove any legacy materials and to obtain site closures from the Santa Clara County Department of Environmental Health under its Voluntary Cleanup Program.

SJWC is currently in compliance with all state and local regulations governing hazardous materials, point and non-point source discharges and the warning provisions of the California Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986.

CTWS and its subsidiaries are currently in compliance with all state and local public health and environmental regulations applicable to their operations.

Please also see Part II, Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”

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Human Capital Resources

In order to continue to achieve SJW Group’s mission of delivering life sustaining, high-quality water and exceptional service to families, businesses and communities, we are committed to attract, retain and develop the highest quality talent. We believe our employees are our most important asset. Throughout our organizations, our employees embrace the company’s values of integrity, respect, service, compassion, trust, teamwork and transparency in everything we do. Our employees participate in semi- annual employee engagement and satisfaction surveys providing feedback that enables the Company to continually assess and implement initiatives to enhance employee satisfaction and retention. Our human capital measures and objectives focus on providing a safe and productive work environment that has clear positive and ethical values; a culture that embraces diversity, respect and equity; jobs that offer competitive wages and benefits; and training and development opportunities that support our employees to establish and succeed in meaningful careers at SJW Group.

Basic Workforce Data

As of December 31, 2020, SJW Group had 748 full-time employees, of whom 370 were SJWC employees, 229 were Connecticut Water employees, 78 were Maine Water employees, and 71 were CLWSC employees.

At SJWC, 137 are executive, administrative or supervisory personnel, and 233 are members of unions. On November 12, 2019 and February 20, 2020, SJWC reached three-year bargaining agreements with the International Union of Operating Engineers, representing certain employees in the engineering department, and the Utility Workers of America, representing the majority of all non-administrative employees at SJWC, respectively, covering the period from January 1, 2020 through December 31, 2022. The agreements include a 3% wage increase in 2020, 3% in 2021 and 4% in 2022 for the union workers. Employees working for Connecticut Water, Maine Water and CLWSC are not represented by unions.

Employee Safety and Pandemic Response

Aiming for a “zero-harm” culture, our vision is to manage health and safety performance to become a leader in the water services industry. Protecting the health and safety of our employees is a top priority. Recently, we expanded our safety team to include safety-focused professionals from each of our new operating utilities. This significantly improved standardization of our employee health and safety programs, which focus on four core elements:

•Safety Leadership: demonstrating management commitment and support, empowering local teams to be accountable for safety;

•Participation: involving every employee in all aspects of the safety program, connecting safety initiatives to serving employees, customers, shareholders, our communities and the environment;

•Hazard Identification and Control: inspecting workplaces, identifying hazards, implementing controls, and partnering with the front-line teams responsible for delivering reliable, clean, safe drinking water and service; and,

•Training: training employees on hazards and how to protect themselves. Incident and crisis management of both known and unknown threats to employee health and safety are anticipated and planned for by our safety team.

We have implemented several management systems to plan and respond to incidents such as pandemics, wildfires, earthquakes, cyber threats and extreme weather, among others. The goal is to safeguard our employees’ health and safety during local, national, or global incidents. Locally, these hazards are identified by onsite inspections and from near-miss investigations. Proactive identification of hazards keeps us one step ahead of our constantly changing workplace conditions.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, SJW Group’s primary focus has been to protect the health and safety of employees, customers and the community from the spread of the disease in the workplace, while continuing to deliver reliable, clean and safe drinking water and service. With additional COVID-19 protections in place and beginning in March 2020, we paused all non-essential services for two months; transitioned our office employees to company-wide remote work; and dispatched field service employees from their homes to minimize transmission of the virus. As the pandemic and knowledge of the virus evolved, our safety, human resources and operations teams implemented additional guidance protocols with a focus on cleaning and disinfection of facilities, vehicles, and tools; implementing engineering and administrative control such as social distancing; and wearing face coverings to limit the transmission of the virus. In response to various stay-at-home government orders, we provided the flexibility to employees who are able to work from home and supported remote-working by upgrading technology infrastructure, enhancing IT capabilities and implementing processes to facilitate online and remote communications. We are also actively monitoring all evolving federal, state and local guidance from public health authorities to ensure that our measures are in compliance with such rules and regulations.

Diversity and Inclusion

SJW Group believes that a workplace supporting diversity and inclusion not only promotes equity, teamwork, productivity and collaboration among employees, but also enables us to provide the best services to our customers, communities, and partners and enhances value for our stockholders. We are committed to fostering and maintaining a culture of diversity and inclusion,

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and we have been tracking our workforce demographics to identify employee teams, geographies, or seniority levels where hiring of minorities or specific demographic representation needs to be addressed. In 2020, in our continued commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, SJW Group formed a National Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (“DEI”) Council, consisting of management level and front-line employees that has the full support of our Board of Directors. The DEI (i) supports and advocates for diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, (ii) promotes knowledge, skills and practices that support diversity, equity and inclusion, (iii) provides a forum for consultation on diversity issues that may arise, and (iv) takes into consideration how diversity, equity and inclusion can help us serve our external stakeholders -customers, communities, stockholders and the environment. The DEI maintains an active line of communication with our executive leadership team. In addition, our Board of Directors has adopted policies and procedures to further our efforts to create a more diverse workforce at all levels in the organization. For example, the Board adopted a Human Rights Policy that sets forth clear statements on our mission to create an environment where diversity, equity and inclusion are fundamental to everything we do. Moreover, we are fully compliant with California laws that require a minimum number of female directors and a minimum number of directors from underrepresented communities on our Board of Directors.

Competitive Wage and Benefits

SJW Group’s future success is largely dependent upon our ability to attract and retain highly-skilled and qualified employees. Our California and Connecticut subsidiaries operate in very competitive labor markets, we believe our compensation package and benefit programs allow us to recruit and retain talented and qualified personnel. Our compensation and benefits programs include:

•Competitive employee wages that are consistent with employee roles and responsibilities, skill levels, experience, knowledge and geographic location;

•Short-term incentive compensation for management level staff aligning with company financial and operational goals targeted to our stakeholders: customers, communities, employees and stockholders;

•Engagement of nationally, recognized outside compensation and benefits consulting firms to independently evaluate the appropriateness and effectiveness of compensation for our executive and other officers and to provide benchmarks for executive compensation as compared to peer companies;

•Alignment with stockholder value by utilizing equity awards linked to investment performance over time, as well as certain absolute financial results;

•A comprehensive annual review process pursuant to which we determine and communicate to employees annual merit increases, promotions and other changes to responsibilities and duties; and

•Eligibility for all employees to participate in health insurance, dental, vision, cafeteria plans, life and disability/accident coverage, retirement plans and/or salary deferral plans, an Employee Stock Purchase Plan, paid and unpaid leaves, a commuter assistance program, professional education and training, and tuition assistance.

Community Involvement

In support of our mission to serve communities and our employees’ desire to make an impact on the communities we serve, SJW Group provides various opportunities for our employees to participate in community outreach programs such as free virtual education programs for adults, winter coat donations, a specialized in-school education course for elementary school aged children, grant programs that support firefighters as well as grants to schools in certain parts of our service territories for water bottle filling stations. In addition, we hold community open houses, support the Happy Hollow Foundation, sponsor special events such as Thanksgiving in January, the Guadalupe River Park Conservancy Super Bowl Run, and participate in community service events such as Rebuilding Together. Employees are further encouraged and supported in their efforts to give back to their communities through the SJWCECF. The SJWCECF is an employee-led foundation, where employees’ tax-deductible contributions are matched by the company and distributed to organizations where employees are involved.

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Executive Officers of the Registrant

The following table summarizes the name, age, offices held and business experience for each of our senior executive officers, as of March 1, 2021:

Name Age Offices and Experience

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Principal Accounting Officer of the Registrant

The following table summarizes the name, age, offices held and business experience for our principal accounting officer, as of March 1, 2021:

Name Age Offices and Experience

Available Information

SJW Group’s Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to these reports, are made available free of charge through SJW Group’s website at http://www.sjwgroup.com, as soon as reasonably practicable, after SJW Group electronically files such material with, or furnishes such materials to, the SEC. The content of SJW Group’s website is not incorporated by reference to or part of this report.

You may obtain electronic copies of our reports filed with the SEC on the SEC internet website at http://www.sec.gov.

Item 1A.Risk Factors

Investors should carefully consider the following risk factors and warnings before making an investment decision. The risks described below are not the only ones facing SJW Group and its subsidiaries. Additional risks that SJW Group and its subsidiaries does not yet know of or that it currently thinks are immaterial may also impair its business operations. If any of the following risks actually occur, SJW Group and its subsidiaries’ business, operating results or financial condition could be materially affected. In such case, the trading price of SJW Group’s common stock could decline and you may lose part or all of your investment. Investors should also refer to the other information set forth in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, including the consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto.

Risks Relating To Regulatory and Legal Matters

Our business is regulated and may be adversely affected by changes to the regulatory environment.

Our Water Utility Services are regulated public utilities. The operating revenue of SJWC, Connecticut Water, CLWSC and Maine Water is generated primarily from the sale of water at rates authorized by the Regulators. The Regulators set rates that are 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. Please refer to Part I, Item 1, “Regulation and Rates” for a discussion of the most recent regulatory proceedings affecting the rates of SJWC and CLWSC. Consequently, our revenue and operating results depend substantially upon the rates the Regulators authorize.

In our applications for rate approvals, we rely upon estimates and forecasts to propose rates for approval by the Regulators. No assurance can be given that our estimates and forecasts will be accurate or that the Regulators will agree with our estimates and forecasts and approve our proposed rates. To the extent our authorized rates may be too low, revenues may be insufficient to cover Water Utility Services’ operating expenses, capital requirements and SJW Group’s historical dividend rate. In addition, delays in approving rate increases may negatively affect our operating results and operating cash flows.

In addition, policies and regulations promulgated by the regulators govern the recovery of capital expenditures, the treatment of gains from the sale of real utility property, the offset of production and operating costs, the recovery of the cost of debt, the optimal equity structure, and the financial and operational flexibility to engage in non-tariffed operations. If the regulators implement policies and regulations that will not allow SJWC, Connecticut Water, CLWSC and Maine Water to accomplish some or all of the items listed above, Water Utility Services’ future operating results may be adversely affected. Further, from time to time, the commissioners at the Regulators may change. Such changes could lead to changes in policies and regulations and there can be no assurance that the resulting changes in policies and regulation, if any, will not adversely affect our operating results or financial condition.

If the CPUC disagrees with our calculation of SJWC’s memorandum and balancing accounts, we may be required to make adjustments that could adversely affect our results of operations. Under a 2007 Connecticut law, PURA authorizes regulated

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water companies to use a rate adjustment mechanism, known as WICA, for eligible projects completed and in service for the benefit of the customers. Maine legislature enacted a law that allows Maine Water expedited recovery of investments in water systems infrastructure replacement, both treatment and distribution, through WISC, similar to WICA in Connecticut. Maine Water began to use the WISC during 2014. There is no guarantee that these regulatory authorities will approve our applications to recover all or a portion of our capital expenditure or infrastructure investment through such rate adjustment mechanisms, and their failure to do so will adversely affect our financial conditions and results of operations.

Recovery of regulatory assets is subject to adjustment by regulatory agencies and could impact the operating results of Water Utility Services.

Generally accepted accounting principles for water utilities include the recognition of regulatory assets and liabilities as permitted by FASB ASC Topic 980—“Regulated Operations.” In accordance with ASC Topic 980, Water Utility Services record deferred costs and credits on the balance sheet as regulatory assets and liabilities when it is probable that these costs and credits will be recovered in the ratemaking process in a period different from when the costs and credits were incurred. Please refer to Note 1 of the “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” for a summary of net regulatory assets. If the assessment of the probability of recovery in the ratemaking process is incorrect and the applicable ratemaking body determines that a deferred cost is not recoverable through future rate increases, the regulatory assets or liabilities would need to be adjusted, which could have an adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.

Streamflow Regulations in New England could potentially impact our ability to serve our customers.

In December 2011, regulations concerning the flow of water in Connecticut’s rivers and streams were adopted. As promulgated, the regulations require that certain downstream releases be made from seven of Connecticut Water’s eighteen active reservoirs no later than ten years following the adoption of stream classifications by the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (“DEEP”). Currently, downstream releases are made at two locations. No groundwater supply wells are affected by the regulations.

DEEP has finalized stream classifications in all areas of Connecticut where Connecticut Water maintains and operates sources of supply. The Company remains engaged in the process in order to minimize impact to our available water supply. Although modified from prior versions, the regulations still have the potential to lower our safe yield, raise our capital and operating expenses and adversely affect our revenues and earnings. Although costs associated with the regulations may be recovered in the form of higher rates and Connecticut law allows for a WICA surcharge to recover capital improvement costs necessary to achieve compliance with the regulations, there can be no assurance PURA would approve rate increases to enable us to recover all such costs and surcharges.

Maine also has regulations that govern the flow of water in rivers and streams and also govern lake levels on great ponds. Code of Maine Rules Chapter 587 (“Chapter 587”) regulates any activity that alters the flow or level of classified state waters after August 2007. Maine Water operates five water systems that use surface waters governed by Chapter 587. Maine Water has operated in full compliance with the chapter since its effective date and fully expects continued compliance. For public water systems, Chapter 587 allows the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (“MDEP”) to impose site specific conditions in locations where Maine’s water quality classifications are not being met. Any conditions proposed on a water withdrawal by a public water system must consider the provisions of any legislative charter, the watershed protection benefits provided by the utility and the financial viability of the utility. Further, any conditions imposed must be accommodated by the existing MPUC approved rate schedule for the utility and may not, in and of themselves, cause a utility to request a rate increase from their customers. To date, the MDEP has not imposed any withdrawal conditions on any public water system in Maine.

Water Utility Services is subject to litigation risks concerning water quality and contamination.

Although Water Utility Services is not a party to any environmental and product-related lawsuits, there is no guarantee that such lawsuits will not occur in the future. Any environmental or product-related lawsuit, may require us to incur significant legal costs and we may not be able to recover the legal costs from ratepayers or other third parties. Although Water Utility Services has liability insurance coverage for bodily injury and property damage, pollution liability is excluded from this coverage and our excess liability coverage. Pollution liability coverage is in place for the majority of the SJW Group locations and operations, but is subject to exclusions and limitations. In addition, any complaints or lawsuits against us based on water quality and contamination may receive negative publicity that can damage our reputation and adversely affect our business and trading price of our common stock.

Water Utility Services is subject to possible litigation or regulatory enforcement action concerning water discharges to Waters of the United States (“WOTUS”).

Regulatory actions and fines related to discharges of water to WOTUS against other water utilities have increased in frequency in recent years. If Water Utility Services is subject to a litigation or regulatory enforcement action, it might incur significant

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costs in fines and restoration efforts, and it is uncertain whether Water Utility Services would be able to recover some or all of such costs from ratepayers or other third parties. In addition, any litigation or regulatory enforcement action against us regarding a water discharge and/or resulting environmental impact may receive negative publicity that can damage our reputation and adversely affect our business and the trading price of our common stock.

New or more stringent environmental regulations could increase Water Utility Services’ operating costs and affect its business.

Water Utility Services are subject to water quality and pollution control regulations issued by the EPA and environmental laws and regulations administered by the respective states and local regulatory agencies.

New or more stringent environmental and water quality regulations could increase Water Utility Services’ water quality compliance costs, hamper Water Utility Services’ available water supplies, and increase future capital expenditures.

Under the federal Safe Drinking Water Act, Water Utility Services is subject to regulation by the EPA relating to the quality of water it sells and treatment techniques it uses to make the water potable. The EPA promulgates, from time to time, nationally applicable standards, including maximum contaminant levels for drinking water. Additional or more stringent requirements may be adopted by each state. There can be no assurance that Water Utility Services will be able to continue to comply with all water quality requirements.

Water Utility Services has implemented monitoring activities and installed specific water treatment improvements in order to comply with existing maximum contaminant levels and plan for compliance with future drinking water regulations. However, the EPA and the respective state agencies have continuing authority to issue additional regulations under the Safe Drinking Water Act. New or more stringent environmental standards could be imposed that will raise Water Utility Services’ operating costs and capital expenditures, including requirements for increased monitoring, additional treatment of underground water supplies, fluoridation of all supplies, more stringent performance standards for treatment plants, additional procedures to further reduce levels of disinfection by-products, and more comprehensive measures to monitor, reduce or eliminate known or newly identified contaminants such as polyfluoroalkyl substances. There are currently limited regulatory mechanisms and procedures available to us for the recovery of such costs and there can be no assurance that such costs will be fully recovered and failure to do so may adversely affect our operating results.

We may be at risk for litigation under the principle of inverse condemnation for activities in the normal course of business which have a damaging effect on private property.

Under the California legal doctrine of inverse condemnation, a public utility taking or damaging private property can be responsible to the property owners for compensation, even when damage occurs through no fault or negligence of the utility company and regardless of whether the damage could be foreseen. Based upon existing California case law, SJWC could be sued under the doctrine of inverse condemnation and held liable if its facilities, operations or property, such as mains, fire hydrants, power lines and other equipment, or wildfires in our Santa Cruz mountain watershed result in damage to private property.

A court finding of inverse condemnation does not obligate the CPUC to allow SJWC to recover damage awards or pass on costs to ratepayers. SJWC’s liquidity, earnings, and operations may be adversely affected if we are unable to recover the costs of paying claims for damages caused by the operation and maintenance of our property from customers or through insurance.

Our water utility property and systems are subject to condemnation and other proceedings through eminent domain.

State laws in jurisdictions where we operate, including California, Connecticut, Texas and Maine, allow municipalities, water districts and other public agencies to own and operate water systems. These agencies are empowered to condemn water systems or real property owned by privately owned public utilities in certain circumstances and in compliance with state and federal laws. In general, if a public agency exercises its eminent domain power to take possession of private property, the government is required to pay just compensation to owners of such property. In the event of eminent domain or condemnation proceedings against our water utility property or systems, we may incur substantial attorney’s fees, consultant and expert fees and other costs in considering a challenge to such proceeding and/or its valuation for just compensation, as well as fees and costs in any subsequent litigation if necessary. If the public agency prevailed and acquired our utility property, we would no longer have access to the condemned property or water system, neither would we be entitled to any portion of revenue generated from the use of such asset going forward. Furthermore, if public agencies succeed in acquiring our assets, there is a risk that we will not receive adequate compensation for the assets taken or be able to recover all charges associated with the condemnation of such assets, which may adversely affect our business operations and financial conditions.

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Risks Relating To Business Operations

Our business, financial condition, and results of operations have been and will continue to be negatively impacted by the Coronavirus (“COVID-19”) pandemic.

We are subject to risks related to the global pandemic associated with COVID-19. Numerous governmental jurisdictions, including the States of California, Connecticut, Maine and Texas where we maintain our water utility operations, have imposed “shelter-in-place” orders, quarantines, executive orders and similar governmental orders and restrictions for their residents to control the spread of COVID-19. Such orders or restrictions have resulted in business closures, work stoppages, slowdowns and delays in commercial activities, unprecedented and widespread unemployment, travel restrictions and cancellation of events, among other effects, thereby negatively impacting our suppliers, employees and customers, among others. While state governments have permitted some reopening of businesses and approved gradual easing of various restrictions, the pandemic continues to have a significant and negative impact on all aspects of economic activities in the U.S., and some state governments have reversed or suspended their reopening plans in response to surges of COVID-19 cases in their states, including California.

In California, Governor Gavin Newsom signed an executive order suspending water service disconnections due to non-payment by customers retroactive to March 4, 2020 and until further notice. On February 11, 2021, the CPUC approved Resolution M-4849 extending customer protections (i.e. shutoffs and collections) required in Resolution M-4842 through June 30, 2021. The resolution also requires water utilities to develop a transition plan regarding shutoffs and terminations with customers once the moratorium ends. In Connecticut, the March 12, 2020, PURA moratorium ruling to halt shutoff for nonpayment expired on October 1, 2020. In Maine, MPUC lifted the moratorium on utility disconnections effective November 1, 2020. PUCT in Texas had ordered on March 13, 2020 public utilities to suspend water service disconnections and late fees charged to customers which expired on June 13, 2020, but there is no guarantee that PUCT will not reinstate or impose similar orders in the future. The federal government may also take actions to impose a nation-wide utility termination moratorium through executive orders. These and other events associated with the COVID-19 pandemic have reduced the incentive and ability of our residential and commercial customers to pay their water services bills on time, if at all, which could negatively impact our result of operations. Furthermore, a significant portion of our revenue is derived from water usage by commercial customers. As many of these customers have suspended, altered or terminated their business operations to comply with government orders, their water usage may decline significantly or cease, which could adversely affect our revenue. While some states and counties, including Santa Clara county where our headquarters is located, have previously announced a schedule to allow more businesses to reopen, recent increases in COVID-19 cases and hospitalization rates in California and elsewhere have prompted reinstatement of restrictions and lockdown. Furthermore, even if these restrictions are eased or lifted, some of our commercial customers may decide not to open fully or at all due to their ongoing concerns with safety at the workplace. Connecticut Water has an approved regulatory mechanism for a water revenue adjustment that provides for recovery of the companies’ authorized annual revenues through a customer surcharge or credit that mitigates the impact of reduced usage but will not cover losses for non-payment or bad debt. While we expect to recover some of the revenue loss and costs through the rate-making processes, there is no guarantee that such recovery will be approved by the regulated utility authorities in a timely manner, or at all.

In addition to loss of revenue, we are subject to the following risks resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic and related events:

•we may encounter difficulties and disruptions in communication and coordination among our employees, partners, customers and others, which may reduce our productivity and interfere with our normal operations;

•our planned infrastructure improvement projects were temporarily interrupted by COVID-19 government orders, restrictions and supply shortages. This may negatively impact our ability to maintain our infrastructure and provide reliable services to customers. In addition, our expenditures on capital improvements has been reduced, which may in turn impact rate decisions by the Regulators.

•widespread COVID-19 disease could impact the health of our employees and management team, which may disrupt our business operations; and

•a recession, stock market correction, or debt market disruptions resulting from the spread of COVID-19 could materially affect our business, our results of operations, our cash flow, and the value of our common stock, which may make it more difficult for us to access capital in equity and debt markets.

•the financial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic may require us to reassess the goodwill recorded by SJW Group following the completion of our merger with CTWS in October 2019, and such reassessment may result in a future significant or material impairment of our goodwill asset;

The ultimate impact of the COVID-19 pandemic continues to be uncertain and subject to change. We cannot predict when this pandemic will end and when and to what extent various government orders and restrictions will be imposed, modified, eased or

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lifted, and any extension or prolonged implementation of these measures will further adversely affect our business and financial results. Even after such orders and restrictions are eased or lifted, the severe economic impact on the jurisdictions and areas in which we operate may last for an extended period of time and continue to adversely affect our business and financial conditions, and there is no guarantee that we will be able to quickly return to our normal operations.

Changes in water supply, water supply costs or the mix of water supply could adversely affect the operating results and business of Water Utility Services.

SJWC’s supply of water primarily relies upon three main sources: treated water purchased from Valley Water, surface water from its watershed in the Santa Cruz Mountains, and water pumped from underground. Changes and variations in quantities from each of these three sources including changes due to production assets being taken off-line for renovation or non-compliance with regulations affect the overall mix of the water supply, thereby affecting the cost of the water supply. If there is an adverse change to the mix of water supply and SJWC is not allowed by CPUC to recover the additional or increased water supply costs, its operating results may be adversely affected.

Valley Water receives an allotment of water from state and federal water projects. If SJWC has difficulties obtaining a high quality water supply from Valley Water due to availability, environmental, legal or regulatory actions or other restrictions (see also Part I, Item 1, “Water Supply”), it may not be able to fully satisfy customer demand in its service area and its operating results and business may be adversely affected. Additionally, the availability of water from SJWC’s Santa Cruz Mountains watershed depends on the weather and fluctuates with each season. In a normal year, surface water supply provides 6% to 8% of the total water supply of the system. In a season with little rainfall, such as the record drought conditions in California in 2015 and most of 2016 water supply from surface water sources may be low, thereby causing SJWC to increase the amount of water purchased from outside sources at a higher cost than surface water, thus increasing water production expenses. When drought conditions occur, we may be required to rely more heavily on purchased water than surface water, which would increase our costs and adversely affect our results of operations.

In addition, SJWC’s ability to use surface water is subject to regulations regarding water quality and volume limitations. If new regulations are imposed or existing regulations are changed or given new interpretations, the availability of surface water may be materially reduced. A reduction in surface water could result in the need to procure more costly water from other sources, thereby increasing overall water production expenses and adversely affecting our operating results.

Because the extraction of water from the groundwater basin and the operation of the water distribution system require a significant amount of energy, increases in energy prices could increase operating expenses of SJWC. The cost of energy is beyond our control and can change unpredictably and substantially based on load supply and demand. Therefore, SJWC cannot be certain that it will be able to contain energy costs into the future.

SJWC continues to utilize Pacific Gas & Electric’s time of use rate schedules to minimize its overall energy costs primarily for groundwater pumping. Optimization and energy management efficiency are achieved through the implementation of software applications that control pumps based on demand and cost of energy. An increase in demand or a reduction in the availability of surface water or import water could result in the need to pump more water during peak hours which may adversely affect the operating results of SJWC.

SJWC has been granted permission by CPUC to employ certain balancing accounts to track various water supply expenses and revenues. There is no assurance that CPUC will allow recovery or refund of these balances when submitted by SJWC.

CLWSC’s primary water supply is 6,900 acre-feet of water which is pumped from Canyon Lake at three lake intakes or delivered as treated water from GBRA’s Western Canyon Pipeline, in accordance with the terms of its contracts with the GBRA, which are long-term take-or-pay contracts. This supply is supplemented by groundwater pumped from wells. CLWSC has a small secondary water supply specific to a distinct system located in Hays and Travis counties. This supply of 250 acre-feet is also a long-term take or pay contract. While the contracts provides a committed long-term water supply for future demand, CLWSC customers currently do not use the volume of water allowed under the contracts which increases the cost of water for existing customers, and there is no assurance that future demands up to the committed supply volume will occur. Texas faces long-term water supply constraints similar to California as described above and while current water supply exceeds demand, CLWSC may not be able to obtain adequate water supply to meet customer demand or may be required to procure more costly water from other sources.

The Connecticut regulated operations derive their rights and franchises to operate from state laws that are subject to alteration, amendment or repeal. Our franchises are free from restrictions, are unlimited as to time, and authorize us to sell potable water in all towns we now serve. Under Connecticut law, these rights and franchises are transferred to the surviving corporation in any merger. None of the Connecticut regulated operations were parties in the recent merger between the parent companies CTWS and SJW Group and no conditions were imposed that would adversely impact those rights and franchises. The companies further rely on environmental permits or registrations authorizing the use of water supplies in Connecticut, and those

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were not altered as a result of the merger with SJW Group. There is a possibility that the state could revoke our franchises and allow a governmental entity to take over some or all of our systems or could modify laws related to water supply use. From time to time such legislation has been contemplated in the past. The Connecticut regulated operations do not face long-term water supply constraints, but in times of persistent dry weather and continued drought conditions, Connecticut Water has requested that customers voluntarily reduce water usage, which may negatively affect its results of operations.

Maine Water Company relies on legislatively granted water rights in order to serve customers. In some instances, these rights were granted to predecessor water companies specially chartered by the Maine legislature many decades ago, with those entities later having been merged into Maine Water. The legislation incorporating these predecessor water companies did not address whether chartered rights may be transferred to another entity without special legislative action. The Maine Business Corporation Act generally provides that property and contract rights of a merged corporation are vested in the surviving corporation without reversion or impairment. In the MPUC proceedings that approved the mergers of these Maine Water predecessor companies, the survivorship of water rights was not contested and Maine Water has not sought specific legislation to reaffirm the transfer of chartered rights granted to predecessor water companies. Maine Water does not face long-term water supply constraints. (See also Part I, Item 1, “Water Supply”).

Climate change may also impact water supply. For example, severity of drought conditions may impact the availability of water to all Water Utility Services and rising sea levels may impact the availability of groundwater available to SJWC and CLWSC.

Fluctuations in customer demand for water due to seasonality, restrictions of use, weather, and lifestyle can adversely affect operating results.

Water Utility Services are seasonal, thus quarterly fluctuation in results of operations may be significant. Rainfall and other weather conditions also affect Water Utility Services. Water consumption typically increases during the third quarter of each year when weather tends to be warm and dry. In periods of drought, if customers are encouraged or required to conserve water due to a shortage of water supply or restriction of use, revenue tends to be lower. Similarly, in unusually wet periods, water supply tends to be higher and customer demand tends to be lower, again resulting in lower revenues. Furthermore, certain lifestyle choices made by customers can affect demand for water. For example, a significant portion of residential water use is for outside irrigation of lawns and landscaping. If there is a decreased desire by customers to maintain landscaping for their homes or restrictions are placed on outside irrigation, residential water demand would decrease, which would result in lower revenues.

Conservation efforts and construction codes, which require the use of low-flow plumbing fixtures, could diminish water consumption and result in reduced revenue. In addition, in time of drought, water conservation may become a regulatory requirement that impacts the water usage of our customers. For example, in response to the continuing severe drought conditions in 2016 and 2017 in California, Valley Water adopted Resolution 17-43 to encourage making water conservation a way of life in California through recommendations on watering schedules and a call for customers to achieve a 20% reduction in water use as compared to 2013.

The implementation of mandatory conservation measures has resulted and is expected to result in lower water usage by our customers which may adversely affect our results of operation. If the current conservation measures continue, or if new measures are imposed in response to drought conditions in the future, we may experience fluctuations in the timing of or a reduction in customer revenue. Furthermore, the CPUC may approve memorandum accounts, such as a Water Conservation Memorandum Account (“WCMA”), to allow companies to recover revenue reductions due to water conservation activities and certain conservation related costs. However, collection of such memorandum accounts are subject to a review and approval process by CPUC, which can be lengthy, and there is no assurance that we will be able to recover in a timely manner all or some of the revenue and costs recorded in the memorandum accounts. When drought conditions ease and the State Water Board and Valley Water no longer mandate water conservation, the Company may no longer be allowed to recover revenue lost due to continued conservation activities under the WCMA account and would therefore be exposed to differences between actual and authorized usage. This could result in lower revenues. In December 2019, the CPUC denied SJWC’s request in Advice Letter No. 532 to recover the 2018 balances of WCMA and was ordered to remove the WCMA accounts. As a result of this decision, during the year ended December 31, 2019, SJWC wrote off a total balance of $9.4 million recorded in the 2018 WCMA and $0.6 million recorded in the 2019 WCMA memorandum accounts. (See also Note 1, “Summary of Accounting Principles” in the consolidated financial statements).

Similar to SJWC, Connecticut Water and Maine Water have also been impacted by increased water conservation, as well as the use of more efficient household fixtures and appliances among residential users. There has been a trend of declining per customer residential water usage in Connecticut and Maine over the last several years. CTWS’s regulated businesses at Maine Water are heavily dependent on revenue generated from rates it charges to its residential customers for the volume of water they use. The rates Connecticut Water and Maine Water charge for its water is regulated by PURA in Connecticut and MPUC in Maine, and CTWS’s water services subsidiaries may not unilaterally adjust their rates to reflect changes in demand. A

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declining volume of residential water usage may have a negative impact on our operating revenues in the future if regulators do not reflect usage declines in the rate setting design process. Although the legislatures in Maine and Connecticut have provided enabling legislation for water utilities to implement revenue adjustment mechanisms to allow for recovery of authorized rates where conservation has occurred and consumption has declined and such a mechanism has been approved by PURA for Connecticut Water, this mechanism has yet to be implemented at Maine Water.

A contamination event or other decline in source water quality could affect the water supply of Water Utility Services and therefore adversely affect our business and operating results.

Water Utility Services is required under environmental regulations to comply with water quality requirements. Through water quality compliance programs, Water Utility Services monitors for contamination and pollution of its sources of water. In addition, a watershed management program provides a proactive approach to minimize potential contamination activities. There can be no assurance that Water Utility Services will continue to comply fully with all applicable water quality requirements or detect contamination timely or at all. In the event a contamination is detected, Water Utility Services must either commence treatment to remove the contaminant or procure water from an alternative source. Either of these results may be costly, may increase future capital expenditures and there can be no assurance that the regulators would approve a rate increase to enable us to recover the costs arising from such remedies. In addition, we could be held liable for consequences arising from hazardous substances or contamination in our water supplies or other environmental damages. Our insurance policies may not cover or may not be sufficient to cover the costs of these claims.

CTWS’s wastewater operations, wastewater collection and treatment and septage pumping and sludge hauling also involve various unique risks that could impact our company. If collection or treatment systems fail or do not operate properly, or if there is a spill, untreated or partially treated wastewater could discharge onto property or into nearby streams and rivers, causing various damages and injuries, including environmental damage and health hazards. These risks are most acute during periods of substantial rainfall or flooding, which are the main causes of wastewater overflow and system failure. Liabilities resulting from such damages and injuries could harm our business, financial condition, and results of operations. Our insurance policies may not cover or may not be sufficient to cover the costs of these claims.

CTWS’s source water quality could be negatively impacted by a contamination event or a decline in source water quality beyond the capacity of existing treatment systems, causing the treated water to no longer meet state and federal drinking water standards. On a temporary basis, such an event could result in a Do Not Drink or Do Not Use order by state regulators. On a permanent basis, such an event could require additional treatment or the replacement of the source water supply. In either case, such an event or occurrence could cause a decline in consumer trust, significant investment or expense and potential claims from customers. Our insurance policies may not cover or may not be sufficient to cover the costs of these claims.

Operating under contract water and waste systems in Maine and Connecticut subject us to risks.

CTWS operates a number of water and wastewater systems under operation and maintenance contracts. Pursuant to these contracts, such systems are operated according to the standards set forth in the applicable contract, and it is generally the responsibility of the owner of the system to undertake capital improvements over which we may not have control. We may not be able to convince the owner to make needed improvements in order to maintain compliance with applicable regulations. Although violations and fines incurred by water and wastewater systems may be the responsibility of the owner of the system under these contracts, such non-compliance events may reflect poorly on us as the operator of the system and harm our reputation, and in some cases, may result in liability to the same extent as if we were the owner.

Water Utility Services rely on information technology and systems that are key to business operations. A system malfunction, security breach, cyber-attacks or other disruptions could compromise our information and expose us to liability, which could adversely affect business operations.

Information technology is key to the operation of Water Utility Services, including but not limited to payroll, general ledger activities, outsourced bill preparation and remittance processing, providing customer service and the use of Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition systems to operate our distribution system. Among other things, system malfunctions, computer viruses and security breaches could prevent us from operating or monitoring our facilities, billing and collecting cash accurately and timely analysis of financial results. In addition, we collect, process, and store sensitive data from our customers and employees, including personally identifiable information, on our networks. Despite our security measures, our information technology and infrastructure may be vulnerable to attacks by hackers or breached due to employee error, malfeasance or other disruptions. Any such breach could compromise our networks and the information stored there could be accessed without our authorization, publicly disclosed, lost or stolen which could result in legal claims or proceedings, violation of privacy laws or damage to our reputation and customer relationships. Our profitability and cash flow could be affected negatively in the event these systems do not operate effectively or are breached. In addition, we may not be able to develop or acquire information technology that is

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competitive and responsive to the needs of our business, and we may lack sufficient resources to make the necessary upgrades or replacements of our outdated existing technology to allow us to continue to operate at our current level of efficiency.

A failure of our reservoirs, storage tanks, mains or distribution networks could result in losses and damages that may adversely affect our financial condition and reputation.

We distribute water through an extensive network of mains and store water in reservoirs and storage tanks located across our service areas. The Water Utility Services’ distribution systems were constructed during the period from the early 1900’s through today. A failure of major mains, reservoirs, or tanks could result in injuries and damage to residential and/or commercial property for which we may be responsible, in whole or in part. The failure of major mains, reservoirs or tanks may also result in the need to shut down some facilities or parts of our water distribution network in order to conduct repairs. Such failures and shutdowns may limit our ability to supply water in sufficient quantities to our customers and to meet the water delivery requirements prescribed by governmental regulators, which could adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations, cash flow, liquidity and reputation. We also own and operate numerous dams throughout Connecticut and Maine, and a failure of such dams could result in losses and damages that may adversely effect our financial condition and reputation. Any business interruption or other losses might not be covered by existing insurance policies or be recoverable in rates, and such losses may make it difficult for us to secure insurance in the future at acceptable rates. Our insurance policies may not cover or may not be sufficient to cover the costs of these claims.

SJW Land Company and Chester Realty, Inc. have real estate holdings that are subject to various business and investment risks.

SJW Land Company owns real estate in Tennessee and Chester Realty, Inc. owns real estate in Connecticut. The risks in investing directly in real estate vary depending on the investment strategy and investment objective and include the following:

•Market and general economic risks—real estate investment is tied to overall domestic economic growth and, therefore, carries market risk which cannot be eliminated by diversification. Generally, all property types benefit from national economic growth, though the benefits range according to local factors, such as local supply and demand and job creation. Because real estate leases are typically staggered and last for multiple years, there is generally a delayed effect in the performance of real estate in relation to the overall economy. This delayed effect can insulate or deteriorate the financial impact to SJW Land Company and Chester Realty, Inc. in a downturn or an improved economic environment.

•Vacancy rates can climb and market rents can be impacted and weakened by general economic forces, therefore affecting income to SJW Land Company and Chester Realty, Inc.

•A decrease in the value of a real estate property or increase in vacancy could result in reduced future cash flows to amounts below the property’s current carrying value and could result in an impairment charge.

The value of real estate can decrease materially due to a deflationary market, decline in rental income, market cycle of supply and demand, long lag time in real estate development, legislative and governmental actions, environmental concerns, increases in rates of returns demanded by investors, and fluctuation of interest rates, eroding any unrealized capital appreciation and, potentially, invested capital.

The success of SJW Land Company and Chester Realty, Inc.’s real estate investment strategy depend largely on ongoing local, state and federal land use development activities and regulations, future economic conditions, the development and fluctuations in the sale of the undeveloped properties, the ability to identify the developer/potential buyer of the available-for-sale real estate, the timing of the transaction, favorable tax law, and the ability to maintain and manage portfolio properties. There is no guarantee that we will be able to execute the strategy successfully and failure to do so may adversely affect our operating results and financial condition.

Work stoppages, other labor relations matters and epidemic or pandemic illness events could adversely affect our business and operating results.

As of December 31, 2020, 233 of our 748 total employees were union members. Most of our unionized employees are represented by the Utility Workers of America, except certain employees in the engineering department who are represented by the International Union of Operating Engineers. Only employees at SJWC are union members.

We may experience difficulties and delays in the collective bargaining process to reach suitable agreements with union employees, particularly in light of increasing healthcare and pension costs. In addition, changes in applicable law and regulations could have an adverse effect on management’s negotiating position with the unions. Labor actions, work stoppages or the threat of work stoppages, and our failure to obtain favorable labor contract terms during future negotiations may adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and liquidity.

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Our business has inherently dangerous workplaces. If we fail to maintain safe work sites, we can be exposed to not only people impacts but also to financial losses such as penalties and other liabilities.

Our safety record is critical to our reputation because our business operation involves inherently dangerous activities. We maintain health and safety standards to protect our employees, customers, vendors and the public. Although we intend to adhere to such health and safety standards and aim for zero injuries, it is difficult to avoid accidents at all times.

Our business sites, including construction and maintenance sites, often place our employees and others in close proximity with large pieces of heavy equipment, moving vehicles, pressurized water, underground trenches and vaults, chemicals and other regulated materials. On many sites we are responsible for safety and, accordingly, must implement safety procedures. If we fail to implement such procedures or if the procedures we implement are ineffective or are not followed by our employees or others, or if accidents occur outside of our control, our employees and others may be injured or die. Unsafe work sites also have the potential to increase employee turnover and raise our operating costs. Any of the foregoing could result in financial losses, which could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

In addition, our operations can involve the handling and storage of hazardous chemicals, which, if improperly handled, stored or disposed of, could subject us to penalties or other liabilities. We are also subject to regulations dealing with occupational health and safety. Although we maintain functional employee groups whose primary purpose is to ensure we implement effective health, safety, and environment work procedures throughout our organization, including construction sites and maintenance sites, the failure to comply with such regulations or procedures could subject us to a liability.

Risks Relating To Our Finances and Corporate Matters

We may not have sufficient cash flow or capital resources to fund capital expenditures of our water utility business.

The water utility business is capital-intensive. Expenditure levels for renewal and modernization of the system will grow at an increasing rate as components reach the end of their useful lives. SJW Group’ subsidiaries fund capital expenditures through a variety of sources, including cash received from operations, funds received from developers as contributions or advances, borrowings through lines of credit and debt financings, as well as equity financings by SJW Group. We cannot provide any assurance that the historical sources of funds for capital expenditures will continue to be adequate or that the cost of funds will remain at levels permitting us to earn a reasonable rate of return. A significant change in any of the funding sources could impair the ability of Water Utility Services to fund its capital expenditures, which could impact our ability to grow our utility asset base and earnings. Any increase in the cost of capital through higher interest rates or otherwise could adversely affect our results of operations.

Our ability to raise capital through equity or debt may be affected by the economy and condition of the debt and equity markets. Disruptions in the capital and credit markets or deteriorations in the strength of financial institutions could adversely affect SJW Group’s ability to draw on its lines of credit, issue long-term debt or sell its equity. In addition, government policies, the state of the credit markets and other factors could result in increased interest rates, which would increase SJW Group’s cost of capital. Furthermore, equity financings may result in dilution to our existing stockholders and debt financings may contain covenants that restrict the actions of SJW Group and its subsidiaries.

We incurred substantial additional indebtedness to finance our operations, which may reduce our business and operational flexibility and increase our borrowing costs.

To finance the merger, we incurred an aggregate of $510 million of additional indebtedness, a substantial increase compared to our indebtedness prior to the merger. Our increased indebtedness and higher debt-to-equity ratio in comparison to that of our recent historical basis may have the effect, among other things, of: reducing our flexibility to respond to changing business, industry and economic conditions; increasing borrowing costs; placing us at a competitive disadvantage relative to other companies in our industry with less debt; potentially having an adverse effect on our issuer and issue ratings; requiring additional cash flow to be used to service debt instead of for other purposes; and potentially impairing our ability to obtain other financing.

In addition, the terms and conditions of such indebtedness, including financial covenants and restrictive covenants, may reduce our business flexibility and adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects. The agreements governing the indebtedness incurred in connection with the merger contain covenants that impose significant operating and financial limitations and restrictions on us, including restrictions on the ability to enter particular transactions and engage in other activities that we may believe will be advisable or necessary for the combined company’s business. In addition, failure to comply with any of the covenants in our existing or future debt agreements could result in a default under those agreements and under other existing agreements containing cross-default provisions. A default would permit lenders to accelerate the maturity of indebtedness under these agreements and to foreclose upon any collateral securing such indebtedness.

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Under certain circumstances, we may not have sufficient funds or other resources to satisfy all of our obligations under our indebtedness, including principal and interest payments, which, if not cured, may cause an event of default.

The senior note borrowings of SJW Group, SJWC and CLWSC include certain financial covenants regarding a maximum debt to equity ratio and an interest coverage requirement. In the event the relevant borrower exceeds the maximum debt to equity ratio or interest coverage requirement, we may be restricted from issuing future debt. In addition, the pollution control revenue bonds issued on behalf of SJWC contain affirmative and negative covenants customary for a loan agreement relating to revenue bonds, including, among other things, certain disclosure obligations, the tax exempt status of the interest on the bonds, and limitations and prohibitions on the transfer of projects funded by the loan proceeds and assignment of the loan agreement.

CTWS and its subsidiaries are required to comply with certain covenants in connection with their various long term loan agreements. The most restrictive of these covenants is to maintain a consolidated debt to capitalization ratio of not more than 60%.Additionally, Maine Water has restrictions on cash dividends paid based on restricted net assets.In the event that we violate any of these covenants, an event of default may occur and all amounts due under such bonds may be called by the Trustee, which would have an adverse effect on our business operations and financial conditions.

The phaseout of the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”), or the replacement of LIBOR with a different reference rate, may adversely affect interest rates.

On July 27, 2017, the Financial Conduct Authority (the authority that regulates LIBOR) announced that it would phaseout LIBOR by the end of 2021. It is unclear whether new methods of calculating LIBOR will be established such that it continues to exist after 2021, or if alternative rates or benchmarks will be adopted. Changes in the method of calculating LIBOR, or the replacement of LIBOR with an alternative rate or benchmark, may adversely affect interest rates and result in higher borrowing costs for both our existing debt agreements that include LIBOR interest rates and future loan agreements that we may enter into. In addition, we have not engaged in discussions with our existing lenders regarding the LIBOR transition and we cannot predict how such transition will impact the interest rates and other terms of our existing debt agreements. This could materially and adversely affect the SJW Group’s results of operations, cash flows and liquidity. We cannot predict the effect of the potential changes to LIBOR or the establishment and use of alternative rates or benchmarks.

SJW Group has committed to certain “ring-fencing” measures which will enhance CTWS’s separateness from SJW Group, which may limit SJW Group’s ability to influence the management and policies of CTWS (beyond the limitations included in other existing governance mechanisms).

Pursuant to the agreements related to the Merger and commitments made by SJW Group as part of the application for PURA and MPUC approval of the merger with CTWS, SJW Group has instituted certain “ring-fencing” measures to enhance CTWS’s separateness from SJW Group and to mitigate the risk that CTWS would be negatively impacted in the event of a bankruptcy or other adverse financial developments affecting SJW Group or its non-ring-fenced affiliates. These commitments became effective upon the closing of the Merger.

In order to satisfy the ring-fencing commitments, SJW Group formed SJWNE, LLC a wholly-owned special purpose entity (“SPE”) to own the capital stock of CTWS. The SPE, CTWS and its subsidiaries (collectively, the “CTWS Entities”) adopted certain measures designed to enhance their separateness from SJW Group, with the intention of mitigating the effects on the CTWS Entities of any bankruptcy of SJW Group and its affiliates other than the CTWS Entities (collectively, the “Non-CTWS Entities”). As a result of these ring-fencing measures, in certain situations, SJW Group will be restricted in its ability to access assets of the CTWS Entities as dividends or intracompany loans to satisfy the debt or contractual obligations of any Non-CTWS Entity, including any indebtedness or other contractual obligations of SJW Group. In addition, the ring-fencing structure may negatively impact SJW Group’s ability to achieve certain benefits, including synergies and economies of scale to reduce operating costs of the combined entity, that it anticipates will result from the merger. This ring-fencing structure also subjects SJW Group and the CTWS Entities to certain governance, operational and financial restrictions since the closing of the merger. Accordingly, SJW Group may be restricted in its ability to direct the management, policies and operations of the CTWS Entities, including the deployment or disposition of their respective assets, declarations of dividends, strategic planning and other important corporate issues. Further, the CTWS Entities’ directors have considerable autonomy and, as described in our commitments, have a duty to act in the best interest of the CTWS Entities consistent with the ring-fencing structure and applicable law, which may be contrary to SJW Group’s best interests or be in opposition to SJW Group’s preferred strategic direction for the CTWS Entities. To the extent they take actions that are not in SJW Group’s interests, our financial condition, results of operations and prospects may be materially adversely affected.

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Our business strategy, which includes acquiring water systems and expanding non-tariffed services, will expose us to new risks which could have a material adverse effect on our business.

Our business strategy focuses on the following:

(1)Regional regulated water utility operations;

(2)Regional non-tariffed water utility related services provided in accordance with the guidelines established by the Regulators; and

(3)Out-of-region water and utility related services.

As part of our pursuit of the above three strategic areas, we consider from time to time opportunities to acquire businesses and assets, for example the merger with CTWS in 2019. However, we cannot be certain we will be successful in identifying and consummating any strategic business combination or acquisitions relating to such opportunities. In addition, the execution of our business strategy will expose us to different risks than those associated with the current utility operations. We expect to incur costs in connection with the execution of this strategy and any integration of an acquired business could involve significant costs, the assumption of certain known and unknown liabilities related to the acquired assets, the diversion of management’s time and resources, the potential for a negative impact on SJW Group’s financial position and operating results, entering markets in which SJW Group has no or limited direct prior experience and the potential loss of key employees of any acquired company. Any strategic combination or acquisition we decide to undertake may also impact our ability to finance our business, affect our compliance with regulatory requirements, and impose additional burdens on our operations. Any businesses we acquire may not achieve sales, customer growth and projected profitability that would justify the investment. Any difficulties we encounter in the integration process, including the integration of controls necessary for internal control and financial reporting, could interfere with our operations, reduce our operating margins and adversely affect our internal controls. SJW Group cannot be certain that any transaction will be successful or that it will not materially harm operating results or our financial condition.

Adverse investment returns and other factors may increase our pension costs and pension plan funding requirements.

A substantial number of our employees are covered by a defined benefit pension plan. Our pension costs and the funded status of the plan are affected by a number of factors including the discount rate, applicable mortality tables, mortality rates of plan participants, investment returns on plan assets, and pension reform legislation. Any change in such factors could result in an increase in future pension costs and an increase in our pension liability, requiring an increase in plan contributions which may adversely affect our financial conditions and results of operations.

SJW Group’s dividend policy is subject to the discretion of our board of directors and may be limited by legal and contractual requirements.

We anticipate to continue to pay a regular quarterly dividend, though any such determination to pay dividends will be at the discretion of our board of directors and will be dependent on then-existing conditions, including our financial condition, earnings, legal requirements, including limitations under Delaware law, restrictions in our credit agreements and other debt instruments that limit our ability to pay dividends to stockholders and other factors the board of directors deems relevant. The board of directors of SJW Group may, in its sole discretion, change the amount or frequency of dividends or discontinue the payment of dividends entirely. In addition, our subsidiaries may be subject to restrictions on their ability to pay dividends to us, including under state law, pursuant to regulatory commitments and under their credit agreements and other debt instruments. In this regard, the CTWS Entities are limited from paying dividends to us in certain circumstances under PURA and MPUC regulatory commitments. Any inability of our subsidiaries to pay us dividends may have a material and adverse effect on our ability to pay dividends to our stockholders.

Our charter documents and Delaware law could prevent a takeover that stockholders consider favorable and could also make it more difficult for stockholders to influence our policies or may reduce the rights of stockholders.

SJW Group’s Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws contain provisions that could delay or prevent a change in control of SJW Group. These provisions could also make it more difficult for our stockholders to elect directors and take other corporate actions. These provisions include, but are not limited to, the following:

•Authorizing Board of Directors to issue “blank check” preferred stock;

•Prohibiting cumulative voting in the election of directors;

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•Limiting the ability of stockholders to call a special meeting of stockholders to only stockholders holding not less than 20% of outstanding voting power; and

•Requiring advance notification of stockholder nomination of directors and proposals.

These provisions may frustrate or prevent any attempts by stockholders of SJW Group to replace or remove its current management by making it more difficult for stockholders to replace members of the Board of Directors, which is responsible for appointing the members of management. In addition, the provisions of Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporate Law (“DGCL”) govern SJW Group. These provisions may prohibit large stockholders, in particular those owning 15% or more of our outstanding voting stock, from merging or combining with us for a certain period of time without the consent of the Board of Directors.

Furthermore, SJW Group’s Certificate of Incorporation provides that a state or federal court located within Delaware is the sole and exclusive forum (unless the company consents in writing to the selection of an alternate forum) for (i) any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of SJW Group, (ii) any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any director, officer or other employee of SJW Group to the company or its stockholders, (iii) any action asserting a claim arising pursuant to any provision of the DGCL, or (iv) any action asserting a claim governed by the internal affairs doctrine. Such “exclusive forum” provision may limit a stockholder’s ability to bring a claim in a judicial forum that it finds favorable for disputes with SJW Group or its directors, officers or other employees, which may discourage such lawsuits against us and our directors, officers and other employees.

We may not be able to maintain adequate insurance coverage at reasonable costs, or at all, to cover all losses incurred in our operations

We maintain insurance coverage as part of our overall legal and risk management strategy to minimize potential liabilities arising from our operations. Our insurance programs have varying coverage limits, deductibles, exclusions and maximums, and our insurance coverages include, worker’s compensation, employer’s liability, damage to our property, general liability, pollution liability, cybersecurity, and automobile liability. Each policy includes either deductibles or self-insured retentions and policy limits for covered claims. As a result, we may sustain losses that exceed or are excluded from our insurance coverage or for which we are self-insured. The insurance companies may also seek to challenge, reduce or deny any claims we submit, which may prevent us from recovering fully the losses we incurred. In addition, insurance companies may increase premium or deductible or reduce coverage limit based on factors that are beyond our control, including industry trends, financial conditions of insurance companies and catastrophic events such as wildfire, earthquake and pandemic. There can be no assurance that we can secure all necessary or appropriate insurance in the future, or that such insurance can be obtain at reasonable cost, or at all.

General Risk Factors

We operate in areas subject to natural disasters or that may be the target of terrorist activities.

We operate in areas that are prone to earthquakes, fires, floods, extreme weathers and other natural disasters. A significant seismic event in northern California, where the majority of our operations are concentrated, or other natural disaster in northern California, Connecticut, Texas or Maine could adversely impact our ability to deliver water to our customers and our costs of operations. A major disaster could damage or destroy our capital assets, harm our reputations and adversely affect our results of operations. For example, the recent extreme cold weather and winter storm in Texas have caused disruptions to water services to our CLWSC customers due to power outages, water main breaks and delays in repair efforts. The Regulators have historically allowed utilities to establish catastrophic event memorandum accounts as a possible mechanism to recover costs, such as the CEMA memorandum account in California. However, we can give no assurance that our regulators, or any other commission would allow any such cost recovery mechanism in the future.

In light of the potential threats to the nation’s health and security due to terrorist attacks, we have taken steps to increase security measures at our facilities and heighten employee awareness of threats to our water supply. We have also tightened our security measures regarding the delivery and handling of certain chemicals used in our business. We have and will continue to bear increased costs for security precautions to protect our facilities, operations and supplies. These costs may be significant.

While some of these costs are likely to be recovered in the form of higher rates, there can be no assurance that the Regulators will approve a rate increase to recover all or part of such costs and, as a result, our operating results and business may be adversely affected. Further, despite these tightened security measures, we may not be in a position to control the outcome of terrorist events should they occur.

Our operations, liquidity, and earnings may be adversely affected by wildfires and risk of fire hazards.

It is possible that wildfires and other fire hazards may occur more frequently, be of longer duration or impact larger areas as a result of drought-damaged plants and trees, lower humidity or higher winds that might be occurring as result of changed

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weather patterns. The effects of these natural disasters in California’s drought-prone areas, such as the Santa Cruz Mountains, the watershed where SJWC obtains up to 10% of its water supply, may temporarily compromise its surface water supply resulting in disruption in our services and litigation which could adversely affect our business, operating results, and financial condition.

If our surface water supply is compromised, we may have to interrupt the use of that water supply until we are able to substitute the flow of water from an alternative water source. If there is an adverse change to the mix of water supply, it may cause an increase in our purchased and pumped water and increase our production expenses substantially, which would adversely affect the operating results of SJWC. There can be no assurance that the CPUC will allow SJWC to recover the additional or increased production expenses.

In addition, we may incur significant costs in order to treat the impacted source through expansion of our current treatment facilities, or development of new treatment methods. If we are unable to substitute water supply from an alternative water source, or to adequately treat the impacted water source in a cost-effective manner, there may be an adverse effect on our revenues, operating results, and financial condition. The costs we incur to secure an alternative water source or an increase in draws from our underground water system could be significant and may not be recoverable in rates.

Wildfires may destroy or cause damage to properties, facilities, equipment and other assets owned and operated by SJWC or result in personal injuries to our employees and personnel, which may cause temporary or permanent disruption to our water services. In such a case, we may be required to incur significant expenses to repair, replace or upgrade our assets, or to defend against costly litigation or disputes with third parties, any of which may adversely affect our business operations or financial conditions.

While we maintain a business insurance policy, such policy includes limitation and retention that may reduce, or in some cases eliminate, our ability to recover all or a substantial portion of the losses and damages due to wildfire. Our inability to rely fully on insurance coverage may negatively impact our results of operations. Losses by insurance companies resulting from wildfires in California may also cause insurance coverage for wildfire risks to become more expensive or unavailable under reasonable terms, and our insurance may be inadequate to recover all our losses incurred in a wildfire. Furthermore, we might not be allowed to recover in our rates any increased costs of wildfire insurance or the costs of any uninsured wildfire losses.

The price of our common stock may be volatile and may be affected by market conditions beyond our control.

The trading price of our common stock may fluctuate in the future based on a variety of factors, many of which are beyond our control and unrelated to our financial results. Factors that could cause fluctuations in the trading price of our common stock include volatility of the general stock market or the utility index, regulatory developments, public announcement of material development in strategic transactions general economic conditions and trends, actual or anticipated changes or fluctuations in our results of operations, actual or anticipated changes in the expectations of investors or securities analysts, actual or anticipated developments in our competitors’ businesses or the competitive landscape generally, litigation involving us or our industry, and major catastrophic event(s) or sales of large blocks of our stock. Furthermore, we believe that stockholders invest in public stocks in part because they seek reliable dividend payments. If there is an over supply of stock of public utilities in the market relative to demand by such investors, the trading price of our common stock may decrease. Additionally, if interest rates rise above the dividend yield offered by our common stock, demand for our stock and its trading price may also decrease.

We must continue to attract and retain qualified technical and managerial personnel in order to succeed.

Our future success depends largely upon our ability to attract and retain highly skilled technical, operational and financial managers. There is a significant competition for such personnel in our industry. The loss of the services of any member of our management team or the inability to hire and retain experienced management personnel could have an adverse effect on our business, as our management team has knowledge of our industry and customers and would be difficult to replace. We try to ensure that we offer competitive compensation and benefits as well as conduct success planning and provide opportunities for continued development, and we continually strive to recruit and train qualified personnel and retain key employees. There can be no assurance, however, that we will continue to be successful in attracting and retaining the personnel we require to grow and operate profitably.

Item 1B.Unresolved Staff Comments

None.

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Item 2.Properties

The properties of SJWC consist of a unified water production system located in the County of Santa Clara in the State of California. In general, the property is comprised of franchise rights, water rights, necessary rights-of-way, approximately 7,000 acres of land held in fee (which is primarily non-developable watershed), impounding reservoirs with a capacity of approximately 2.256 billion gallons, 2,481 miles of transmission and distribution mains, distribution storage of approximately 223 million gallons, wells, boosting facilities, diversions, surface water treatment plants, equipment, office buildings and other property necessary to provide water service to its customers.

SJWC maintains all of its properties in good operating condition in accordance with customary practice for a water utility. SJWC’s groundwater pumping stations have a production capacity of approximately 256 million gallons per day and the present capacity for taking purchased water is approximately 109 million gallons per day. The surface water collection system has a physical delivery capacity of approximately 35 million gallons per day. During 2020, a maximum and average of 147 million gallons and 106 million gallons of water per day, respectively, were delivered to the system.

The properties of CTWS consist of land, easements, rights (including water rights), buildings, reservoirs with a capacity of approximately 9.4 billion gallons, standpipes, dams, wells, supply lines, water treatment plants, pumping plants, 2,317 miles of transmission and distribution mains and other facilities and equipment used for the collection, purification, storage and distribution of water throughout Connecticut and Maine. In certain cases, Connecticut Water and Maine Water are or may be a party to limited contractual arrangements for the provision of water supply from neighboring utilities.

Sources of water supply owned, maintained and operated by CTWS include 25 surface water reservoirs and 108 well fields. In addition, Connecticut Water and Maine Water have agreements with various neighboring water utilities to provide water, at negotiated rates, to our water systems. Collectively, these sources have the capacity to deliver approximately 84 million gallons of potable water daily to the 27 major operating systems. CTWS also owns, maintains and operates 50 small, non-interconnected satellite and consecutive water systems, that combined, have the ability to deliver about 3.5 million gallons of additional water per day to their respective systems. For some small consecutive water systems, purchased water supplier may comprise substantially all the of the total available supply of the system. CTWS’s 30 water treatment plants have a combined treatment capacity of approximately 52 million gallons per day.

CLWSC maintains a service area that covers approximately 247 square miles located in the southern region of the Texas hill country in Blanco, Comal, Hays and Travis counties. The majority of the service area surrounds an 8,200 surface acre reservoir (Canyon Lake). CLWSC production wells have the ability to pump a combined 5.8 billion gallons annually. CLWSC has contracts for 2 billion gallons of untreated surface water and 235 million gallons of treated surface water from the GBRA annually, and 81 million gallons of treated surface water from LCRA. CLWSC owns and operates three surface water treatment plants with a combined production capacity of 9 million gallons per day. CLWSC has 663 miles of transmission and distribution mains and maintains 65 storage tanks with a total storage capacity of 7.8 million gallons. CLWSC owns and operates three wastewater treatment plants with a combined capacity of 96,500 gallons per day.

Water Utility Services hold all of its principal properties in fee simple, subject to current tax and assessment liens, rights-of-way, easements, and certain minor defects in title which do not materially affect their use. A substantial portion of treatment, storage and distribution properties owned by Maine Water are subject to liens of mortgage or indentures that secure bonds, notes and other evidences of long-term indebtedness.

As of December 31, 2020, SJW Land Company owns approximately 55 acres of property in the state of Tennessee. SJW Land Company also owns a 70% limited partnership interest in 444 West Santa Clara Street, L.P. SJW Land Company consolidates its limited partnership interest in 444 West Santa Clara Street, L.P. as a variable interest entity within the scope of ASC Topic 810. In 2017, 444 West Santa Clara Street, L.P. sold all of its interests in a commercial building and land the partnership owned and operated. The limited partnership is expected to dissolve in 2021. See also Note 1 of “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements”.

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The following table is a summary of SJW Land Company properties described previously:

% for Year Ended December 31, 2020of SJW Land Company

Description Location Acreage Square Footage Revenue Expense

Commercial building Knoxville, Tennessee 15 135,000 53 % 59 %

Undeveloped land and parking lot Knoxville, Tennessee 10 N/A N/A N/A

Undeveloped land San Jose, CA 103 N/A N/A N/A

As of December 31, 2020, Chester Realty, Inc. owns 23 acres of property in the State of Connecticut.

Item 3.Legal Proceedings

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.

Item 4.Mine Safety Disclosures

None.

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PART II

Item 5.Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

Market Information

SJW Group’s common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “SJW”. As of December 31, 2020, there were 312 record holders of SJW Group’s common stock, excluding those shares in street or nominee name.

Five-Year Performance Graph

The following performance graph compares the changes in the cumulative stockholder return on SJW Group’s common stock with the cumulative total return on a Water Utility Index and the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index during the last five years ended December 31, 2020. The comparison assumes $100 was invested on December 31, 2015 in SJW Group’s common stock and in each of the foregoing indices and assumes reinvestment of dividends.

COMPARISON OF FIVE YEAR CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN

Among SJW Group, a Water Utility Index and the S&P 500 Index

The following descriptive data of the performance graph is supplied in accordance with Rule 304(d) of Regulation S-T (numbers represent U.S. dollars ($)):

The Water Utility Index is the 9 water company Water Utility Index (including CTWS up to the time of its merger with SJW Group) prepared by Wells Fargo Securities, LLC. The above performance graph and related information shall not be deemed “soliciting material” or to be “filed” with the SEC, nor shall such information be incorporated by reference into any future filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or Securities Exchange Act of 1934, each as amended, except to the extent that the company specifically incorporates it by reference into such filing.

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Item 6.Selected Financial Data

FIVE YEAR FINANCIAL AND STATISTICAL REVIEW

SJW Group and Subsidiaries

CONSOLIDATED RESULTS OF OPERATIONS(in thousands)

Operating expense:

Less net income attributable to the noncontrolling interest — 224 — 1,896 —

CONSOLIDATED PER SHARE DATA

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET (in thousands)

Capitalization:

OTHER STATISTICS—WATER UTILITY SERVICES

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Item 7.Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

(Dollar amounts in thousands, except where otherwise noted)

Description of Business

SJW Group is a publicly traded company and is a holding company with four subsidiaries:

SJWC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of SJW Group, is a public utility in the business of providing water service to approximately 231,000 connections that serve a population of approximately one million people in an area comprising approximately 139 square miles in the metropolitan San Jose, California area.

SJWNE LLC is a wholly-owned subsidiary of SJW Group. On October 9, 2019, CTWS became a wholly-owned subsidiary of SJWNE LLC. CTWS is a holding company whose subsidiaries are primarily public utilities providing water service to approximately 139,000 service connections that serve a population of approximately 485,000 people in 81 municipalities with a service area of approximately 269 square miles throughout Connecticut and Maine and 3,000 wastewater connections in Southbury, Connecticut.

SJWTX, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of SJW Group, doing business as Canyon Lake Water Service Company, is a public utility in the business of providing water service to approximately 20,000 connections that serve approximately 59,000 people. CLWSC’s service area comprises more than 247 square miles in Blanco, Comal, Hays and Travis County in the growing region between San Antonio and Austin, Texas. SJWTX, Inc. has a 25% interest in Acequia Water Supply Corporation. Acequia has been determined to be a variable interest entity within the scope of ASC Topic 810 with SJWTX, Inc. as the primary beneficiary. As a result, Acequia has been consolidated with SJWTX, Inc.

SJW Land Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of SJW Group, owns undeveloped land in the states of California and Tennessee, owns and operates commercial buildings in Tennessee and has a 70% limited partnership interest in 444 West Santa Clara Street, L.P. 444 West Santa Clara Street, L.P. has been determined to be a variable interest entity within the scope of ASC Topic 810 with SJW Land Company as the primary beneficiary. As a result, 444 West Santa Clara Street L.P. has been consolidated with SJW Land Company. In 2017, 444 West Santa Clara Street, L.P. sold all of its interests in the commercial building and land the partnership owned and operated and SJW Land Company also sold certain undeveloped land located in San Jose, California. The limited partnership is expected to dissolve in 2021.

Business Strategy for Water Utility Services

SJW Group focuses its business initiatives in three strategic areas:

(1)Regional regulated water utility operations;

(2)Regional non-tariffed water utility related services provided in accordance with the guidelines established by the CPUC in California, PURA in Connecticut, PUCT in Texas, and MPUC in Maine; and

(3)Out-of-region water and utility related services.

Regional Regulated Activities

SJW Group’s regulated utility operation is conducted through SJWC, Connecticut Water, CLWSC and Maine Water. SJW Group plans and applies a diligent and disciplined approach to maintaining and improving its water system infrastructures and also seeks to acquire regulated water systems adjacent to or near its existing service territory. Connecticut Water also provides regulated wastewater services.

The United States water utility industry is largely fragmented and is dominated by municipal-owned water systems. The water industry is regulated, and provides a life-sustaining product. This makes water utilities subject to lower business cycle risks than non-tariffed industries.

Regional Non-tariffed Activities