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Contingencies | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2013
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract] |
Contingencies | 14 - Contingencies GSWC Destruction of Well: On September 12, 2013, GSWC contractors discovered methane gas and water flowing from one of GSWC's out-of-service wells which was in the process of being destroyed. As a precaution, residents and businesses near the well site were evacuated. On September 25, 2013, residents were allowed to return to their homes. The costs incurred to cap the well and stop the flow of water and methane gas have been recorded as cost of removal. Disruption of business claims and costs incurred to relocate residents have not been significant and have been expensed as incurred during 2013. Although GSWC believes the measures taken to stop the flow of water and gas have been effective and the capping of the well is substantially complete, at this time, management is unable to predict whether any other claims will be filed against GSWC as a result of this unusual well situation. Barstow Perchlorate Contamination: On March 8, 2013, GSWC was served with four toxic tort lawsuits arising out of the November 19, 2010 detection of perchlorate in one of GSWC’s active production wells in the Barstow service area. The plaintiffs asserted that they were affected by the perchlorate and sought punitive and compensatory damages. In August 2013, GSWC filed a motion for summary judgment on the basis that GSWC has complied with the rules and regulations of the CPUC regarding its compliance with the safe drinking water standards. On October 23, 2013, the judge granted GSWC's motion for summary judgment and dismissed the lawsuits. The plaintiffs did not appeal this decision. Condemnation of Properties: The laws of the State of California provide for the acquisition of public utility property by governmental agencies through their power of eminent domain, also known as condemnation, where doing so is necessary and in the public interest. In addition, these laws provide: (i) that the owner of utility property may contest whether the condemnation is actually necessary and in the public interest, and (ii) that the owner is entitled to receive the fair market value of its property if the property is ultimately taken. The City of Claremont (“Claremont”) located in GSWC’s Region III, has expressed various concerns to GSWC about rates charged by GSWC and the effectiveness of the CPUC’s rate-setting procedures. In November 2012 and again in September 2013, Claremont made an offer to acquire GSWC’s water system servicing Claremont. GSWC rejected both offers and informed the City that the system is not for sale. Claremont continues to express a desire to potentially take the system by eminent domain. GSWC serves approximately 11,000 customers in Claremont. In April 2011, an organization called Ojai FLOW ("Friends of Locally Owned Water") started a local campaign for the Casitas Municipal Water District (“CMWD”) to purchase GSWC’s Ojai water system. In March 2013, CMWD passed resolutions authorizing the establishment of a Community Facilities District, an entity authorized pursuant to the Mello-Roos Community Facilities District Act of 1982 (“Mello-Roos Act”) and to issue bonds to finance the potential acquisition of GSWC’s Ojai system by eminent domain. In August 2013, Ojai residents approved the levying of a special tax to satisfy the planned bond obligations. GSWC has filed a petition in the Superior Court, Ventura County which, among other things, challenges the legality of CMWD’s effort to utilize the Mello-Roos Act to acquire property by eminent domain and to fund legal and expert costs of the planned condemnation. Ojai FLOW members filed a motion with the Superior Court asking that all residents of GSWC’s Ojai service area be certified as class defendants in GSWC's pending action. They contend that the class would later be entitled to sue GSWC for damages if GSWC's challenge is denied. Without deciding whether a later lawsuit would be permitted, the Court granted the motion for class certification. At this time, GSWC is unable to predict the outcome of the pending Mello-Roos action, which is scheduled for decision in the second quarter of 2014. GSWC serves approximately 3,000 customers in Ojai. Environmental Clean-Up and Remediation: Chadron Plant: GSWC has been involved in environmental remediation and clean-up at a plant site (“Chadron Plant”) that contained an underground storage tank which was used to store gasoline for its vehicles. This tank was removed from the ground in July 1990 along with the dispenser and ancillary piping. Since then, GSWC has been involved in various remediation activities at this site. Recent monitoring results show gasoline has been reduced to a sheen on top of the groundwater surface. Testing has recently been conducted to determine if alternative remediation will be effective in reducing the contamination further. As of December 31, 2013, the total spent to clean-up and remediate GSWC’s plant facility was approximately $3.5 million, of which $1.5 million has been paid by the State of California Underground Storage Tank Fund. Amounts paid by GSWC have been included in rate base and approved by the CPUC for recovery. As of December 31, 2013, GSWC has an accrued liability for the estimated additional cost of $1.0 million to complete the clean-up at the site. The ultimate cost may vary as there are many unknowns in remediation of underground gasoline spills and this is an estimate based on currently available information. Management also believes it is probable that the estimated additional costs will be approved in rate base by the CPUC. Other Litigation: Registrant is also subject to other ordinary routine litigation incidental to its business. Management believes that rate recovery, proper insurance coverage and reserves are in place to insure against property, professional and general liability and workers’ compensation claims incurred in the ordinary course of business. Registrant is unable to predict an estimate of the loss, if any, resulting from any pending suits or administrative proceedings, but does not believe the impact, if any, would be material.

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