Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of SJW Group, its wholly owned subsidiaries, and two variable interest entities in which two SJW Group subsidiaries are the primary beneficiaries. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.

Recently Adopted Accounting Principles Policy

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers.” The core principle of the guidance is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The new standard replaced most existing revenue recognition guidance in generally accepted accounting principles. The updated guidance also requires additional disclosures regarding the nature, timing and uncertainty of revenue transactions. SJW Group adopted the new revenue standard on January 1, 2018, using the modified retrospective method, and determined that no adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings was necessary for contracts with remaining obligations as of the effective date. In addition, SJW Group applied the “right to invoice” practical expedient. The adoption of the new standard requires certain changes to the recognition of balancing and memorandum account revenue and related costs (See Note 1, “Balancing and Memorandum Accounts”). However, the changes did not have a material impact on our consolidated results of operations, financial position, or cash flows. Concurrently, the company implemented ASU 2017-10, “Identifying the Customer in a Service Concession Arrangement.” Upon adoption of ASU 2017-10, the service concession fee paid to the City of Cupertino was determined to be an up-front payment and accordingly will be amortized as a reduction to future revenue as opposed to amortized as an expense on SJW Group’s Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income.

In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01, “Financial Instruments - Overall” which changes the recognition of changes in fair value of financial liabilities when the fair value option is elected. In addition, the standard requires equity investments to be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income instead of through other comprehensive income. The updated guidance affected the accounting for the company’s equity investment in California Water Service Group stock classified as an available-for-sale security. The new standard became effective for SJW Group beginning in the first quarter of the fiscal year ending December 31, 2018. Prior to adoption of ASU 2016-01, SJW Group recognized changes in fair value of its equity investment in California Water Service Group stock through other comprehensive income or loss on the statement of comprehensive income. Upon adoption on January 1, 2018, SJW Group began recording the change in fair value of its equity investment in other income and expense. In addition, the ASU stated that entities should apply the new standard by means of a cumulative-effect adjustment to the balance sheet as of the beginning of the fiscal year of adoption. As such, SJW Group recorded a cumulative-effect adjustment of $2,203 to beginning retained earnings to eliminate the cumulative change in fair value of its equity investment, net of tax from accumulated other comprehensive income. Subsequent to the adoption of ASU 2016-01, SJW Group sold its investment in California Water Service Group stock. See below in Note 1, “Investment in California Water Service Group” for further discussion.

In October 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-16, “Intra-Entity Transfers of Assets Other Than Inventory,” which modifies existing guidance and is intended to reduce diversity in practice with respect to accounting for the income tax consequences of intra-entity transfers of assets. The ASU requires that the current and deferred income tax consequences of intra-entity transfers of assets be immediately recognized. Prior guidance allowed the entities to defer the consolidated tax consequences of an intercompany transfer of an asset other than inventory to a future period and amortize those tax consequences over time. SJW Group adopted ASU 2016-16 effective January 1, 2018. Upon adoption of ASU 2016-16, SJW Group did not record an unamortized tax expense. As a result, the company did not record a cumulative catch-up adjustments upon adoption of this ASU.

In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-07, “Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Costs,” which requires employers to present the service cost component of the net periodic benefit cost in the same income statement line item as other employee compensation costs arising from services rendered during the period. The standard provides that only the service cost component of net periodic pension costs is eligible for asset capitalization. Companies should present the other components of net periodic benefit costs separately from the line items that include the service cost and outside of any subtotal of operating income, if one is presented. ASU 2017-07 requires retrospective presentation in the income statement of the service cost component and the other components of net periodic cost and net periodic postretirement benefit cost and prospective presentation from date of adoption for the capitalization in assets of only the service cost component of net periodic cost and net periodic postretirement benefit cost. SJW Group adopted ASU 2017-07 effective January 1, 2018. As such, the consolidated statements of comprehensive income for the periods presented have been reclassified to reflect the retrospective changes. See Note 9, “Benefit Plans” for further discussion.

Use of Estimates Policy

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

Utility Plant Policy

The cost of additions, replacements and betterments to utility plant is capitalized. The amount of interest capitalized in 2018, 2017 and 2016 was $2,856, $2,807 and $2,188, respectively. Construction in progress was $68,765 and $45,851 at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

The major components of depreciable plant and equipment as of December 31, 2018 and 2017 are as follows:



	2018		2017
Equipment	$	335,358	307,938
Transmission and distribution	1,375,821		1,295,690
Office buildings and other structures	121,872		110,600
Total depreciable plant and equipment	$	1,833,051	1,714,228

Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated remaining service lives of groups of assets, ranging from 5 to 75 years. The estimated service lives of depreciable plant and equipment are as follows:



	Useful Lives
Equipment	5 to 35 years
Transmission and distribution plant	35 to 75 years
Office buildings and other structures	7 to 50 years

For the years 2018, 2017 and 2016, depreciation expense as a percent of the beginning of the year balance of depreciable plant was approximately 3.6%, 3.6% and 3.5%, respectively. A portion of depreciation expense was allocated to administrative and general expense. For the years 2018, 2017 and 2016, the amounts allocated to administrative and general expense were $2,306, $2,209 and $1,670, respectively. Depreciation expense for utility plant for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 was $53,031, $46,456 and $42,659, respectively. The cost of utility plant retired, including retirement costs (less salvage), is charged to accumulated depreciation and no gain or loss is recognized.

Utility Plant Intangible Assets Policy

All intangible assets are recorded at cost and are amortized using the straight-line method over the estimated useful life of the asset, ranging from 5 to 70 years (see Note 6, “Intangible Assets”).

Real Estate Investments Policy

Real estate investments are recorded at cost and consist primarily of land and buildings. Net gains and losses from the sale of real estate investments are recorded as a component of other (expense) income in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income. Nonutility property in Water Utility Services is also classified in real estate investments and not separately disclosed on the balance sheet based on the immateriality of the amount. Nonutility property is property that is neither used nor useful in providing water utility services to customers and is excluded from the rate base for rate-setting purposes. San Jose Water Company recognizes gain/loss on disposition of nonutility property in accordance with CPUC Code Section 790, whereby the net proceeds are reinvested back into property that is useful in providing water utility services to customers. There is no depreciation associated with nonutility property as it is all land.

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

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets Policy

In accordance with the requirements of FASB ASC Topic 360—“Property, Plant and Equipment,” the long-lived assets of SJW Group are reviewed for impairment when changes in circumstances or events require adjustments to the carrying values of the assets. When such changes in circumstances or events occur, the company assesses recoverability by determining whether the carrying value of such assets will be recovered through the undiscounted expected future cash flows. To the extent an impairment exists, the asset is written down to its estimated fair value with a corresponding charge to operations in the period in which the impairment is identified. Long-lived assets consist primarily of utility plant in service, real estate investments, intangible assets, and regulatory assets. In addition, the company tests unamortized intangible assets, which primarily relate to water rights, at least annually or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the asset may be impaired. SJW Group first performs a qualitative assessment to determine whether it is necessary to perform the quantitative impairment test. In assessing the qualitative factors, SJW Group considers the impact of these key factors: change in industry and competitive environment, financial performance, and other relevant Company-specific events. If SJW Group determines that as a result of the qualitative assessment it is more likely than not (> 50% likelihood) that the fair value is less than carrying amount, then a quantitative test is performed.

Cash and Cash Equivalents, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Cash and cash equivalents primarily consist of cash on deposit with banks and investments in a money market fund with maturities of three months or less from the date of purchase.

Financial Instruments Policy

The following instruments are not measured at fair value on the company’s consolidated balance sheets but require disclosure of fair values: cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable. The estimated fair value of such instruments approximates their carrying value as reported on the consolidated balance sheets. The fair value of such financial instruments are determined using the income approach based on the present value of estimated future cash flows. The fair value of these instruments would be categorized as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy, with the exception of cash and cash equivalents, which would be categorized as Level 1. The fair value of investment in California Water Service Group Stock is discussed in Note 1, long-term debt in Note 4 and pension plan assets in Note 9.

Financial instruments that are potentially subject to concentration of credit risk is primarily cash and cash equivalents which primarily consists of a short-term money market fund. The money market fund is managed by a reputable financial institution.

Investment in Caifornia Water Service Group Policy

SJW Group’s investment in California Water Service Group was accounted for under FASB ASC Topic 320—“Investments—Debt and Equity Securities,” as an available-for-sale marketable security. The investment was recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheet at its quoted market price with the change in unrealized gain or loss reported, net of tax, as a component of other expense (income) with the adoption of ASU 2016-01 on January 1, 2018. Prior to adoption, the changes in unrealized gain or loss, net of tax, were reported as a component of other comprehensive income.

Balancing and Memorandum Accounts Policy

For California, the CPUC has established a balancing account mechanism for the purpose of tracking the under-collection or over-collection associated with expense changes and the revenue authorized by the CPUC to offset those expense changes. San Jose Water Company also maintains memorandum accounts to 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, water tariffs, and other approved activities or as directed by the CPUC such as the memorandum account for the Tax Act.

Balancing and memorandum accounts are recognized by San Jose Water Company when it is probable that future recovery of previously incurred costs or future refunds that are to be credited to customers will occur through the ratemaking process. In addition, in the case of special revenue programs such as the Water Conservation Memorandum Account (“WCMA”), San Jose Water Company follows the requirements of ASC Topic 980-605-25—“Alternative Revenue Programs” in determining revenue recognition, including the requirement that such revenues will be collected within 24 months of the year-end in which the revenue is recorded. A reserve is recorded for amounts SJW Group estimates will not be collected within the 24-month period. This reserve is based on an estimate of actual usage over the recovery period, offset by applicable drought surcharges. In assessing the probability criteria for balancing and memorandum accounts between general rate cases, San Jose Water Company considers evidence that may exist prior to CPUC authorization that would satisfy ASC Topic 980 subtopic 340-25 recognition criteria. Such evidence may include regulatory rules and decisions, past practices, and other facts and circumstances that would indicate that recovery or refund is probable. When such evidence provides sufficient support, the balances are recorded in SJW Group’s financial statements.

Regulatory Assets and Liabilities Policy

Generally accepted accounting principles for water utilities include the recognition of regulatory assets and liabilities as permitted by ASC Topic 980. In accordance with ASC Topic 980, Water Utility Services, to the extent applicable, records deferred costs and credits on the balance sheet as regulatory assets and liabilities when it is probable that these costs and credits will be recognized in the ratemaking process in a period different from when the costs and credits are incurred. Accounting for such costs and credits is based on management’s judgment and prior historical ratemaking practices, and it occurs when management determines that it is probable that these costs and credits will be recognized in the future revenue of Water Utility Services through the ratemaking process. The regulatory assets and liabilities recorded by Water Utility Services, in particular, San Jose Water Company, primarily relate to the recognition of deferred income taxes for ratemaking versus tax accounting purposes, balancing and memorandum accounts, postretirement pension benefits, medical costs, accrued benefits for vacation and asset retirement obligations that have not yet been passed through in rates. The Company adjusts the related asset and liabilities for these items through its regulatory asset and liability accounts at year-end, except for certain postretirement benefit costs and balancing and memorandum accounts which are adjusted monthly. The Company expects to recover regulatory assets related to plant depreciation income tax temporary differences over the average lives of the plant assets of between 5 to 75 years.

Rate-regulated enterprises are required to charge a regulatory asset to earnings if and when that asset no longer meets the criteria for being recorded as a regulatory asset. San Jose Water Company continually evaluates the recoverability of regulatory assets by assessing whether the amortization of the balance over the remaining life can be recovered through expected and undiscounted future cash flows.

Income Tax Policy

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

Regulatory Income Taxes Policy

To the extent permitted by the CPUC, investment tax credits resulting from utility plant additions are deferred and amortized over the estimated useful lives of the related property.

Advances for Construction and Contributions in Aid of Construction Policy

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

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

Advances and contributions received subsequent to 1991 and prior to 1997 are included in California state taxable income.

Asset Retirement Obligations Policy

SJW Group’s asset retirement obligation is recorded as a liability included in other non-current liabilities. It reflects principally the retirement costs of wells and other anticipated clean-up costs, which by law, must be remediated upon retirement. Retirement costs have historically been recovered through rates at the time of retirement. As a result, the liability is offset by a regulatory asset.

Revenue Recognition Policy

On January 1, 2018, SJW Group adopted FASB Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 606 - “Revenue from Contracts with Customers.” In accordance with Topic 606, management has determined that the company has principally four categories of revenues. The first category, revenue from contracts with customers, represents metered revenue of Water Utility Services which includes billings to customers based on meter readings plus an estimate of water used between the customers’ last meter reading and the end of the accounting period. SJW Group satisfies its performance obligation upon delivery of water to the customer at which time the customer consumes the benefits provided by the company. The customer is typically billed on a bi-monthly basis after water delivery has occurred. The customer is charged both a service charge which is based upon meter size and covers a portion of the fixed costs of furnishing water to the customer and a consumption charge based on actual water usage. Unbilled revenue from the last meter reading date to the end of the accounting period is estimated based on the most recent usage patterns, production records and the effective tariff rates. As the company has the right to bill for services that it has provided, SJW Group estimates the dollar value of deliveries during the unbilled period and recognizes the associated revenue. Actual results could differ from those estimates, which may result in an adjustment to revenue when billed in a subsequent period. The second category, rental income, represents lease rental income from SJW Land Company tenants. The tenants pay monthly in accordance with lease agreements and SJW Group recognizes the income ratably over the lease term as this is the most representative of the pattern in which the benefit is expected to be derived from SJW Group’s underlying asset. The third and fourth revenue categories are other balancing and memorandum accounts and alternative revenue programs. Both are scoped out of Topic 606 and are accounted for under FASB ASC Topic 980 - “Regulated Operations.” Balancing and memorandum accounts are recognized by San Jose Water Company when it is probable that future recovery of previously incurred costs or future refunds that are to be credited to customers will occur through the ratemaking process. In addition, in the case of special revenue programs such as the WCMA, San Jose Water Company follows the requirements of ASC Topic 980-605-25, “Alternative Revenue Programs” in determining revenue recognition, including the requirement that such revenues will be collected within 24 months of the year-end in which the revenue is recorded. A reserve is recorded for amounts SJW Group estimates will not be collected within the 24-month period. This reserve is based on an estimate of actual usage over the recovery period, offset by applicable drought surcharges. In assessing the probability criteria for balancing and memorandum accounts between general rate cases, San Jose Water Company considers evidence that may exist prior to CPUC authorization that would satisfy ASC Topic 980 subtopic 340-25 recognition criteria. Such evidence may include regulatory rules and decisions, past practices, and other facts and circumstances that would indicate that recovery or refund is probable. When such evidence provides sufficient support, the balances are recorded in SJW Group’s financial statements.

From 2014 to 2016, California was in a severe drought. In response to the drought, the State Water Resources Control Board (the “State Water Board”) imposed mandatory water use restrictions and conservation targets. SCVWD, San Jose Water Company’s principal water supplier, also mandated water use restrictions along with conservation targets at levels higher than the State Water Board. While the Governor of California declared the drought over on April 7, 2017, the State Water Board made certain water use restrictions permanent while SCVWD maintained a conservation target at 20%.

On May 31, 2018, Governor Edmund G. Brown signed into law Assembly Bill 1668 and Senate Bill 606. Both bills set an initial limit for indoor water use of 55 gallons per person per day by 2022 and reduced the limit further to 50 gallons per person per day by 2030. Implementation details remain to be developed as to how local water providers will meet this mandate as well as to how the CPUC will direct its regulated utilities to comply.

To encourage conservation, San Jose Water Company received approval from the CPUC to implement a Mandatory Conservation Revenue Adjustment Memorandum Account in 2014. This account was subsequently replaced with a WCMA. The WCMA allows San Jose Water Company to track lost revenue, net of related water costs, associated with reduced sales due to water conservation and associated calls for water use reductions. San Jose Water Company records the lost revenue captured in the WCMA regulatory accounts once the revenue recognition requirements of FASB ASC Topic 980 - “Regulated Operations,” subtopic 605-25 are met. For further discussion, please see “Balancing and Memorandum Accounts” in Note 1.

The major streams of revenue for SJW Group are as follows:



	2018		2017			2016
Revenue from contracts with customers	389,302		$	381,777		328,249
Alternative revenue programs, net - WCMA	10,456		12,584			9,981
Other balancing and memorandum accounts revenue, net (1)	(7,541	)	(10,838		)	(5,241	)
Rental income	5,482		5,702			6,717
	397,699		$	389,225		339,706

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(1) For year ended December 31, 2018, $2,643 of amounts related to cost-recovery balancing accounts which upon adoption of Topic 606 are recorded as capitalized costs rather than revenue until recovery is approved by the CPUC. Prior to adoption of Topic 606, these amounts were recorded as revenue. For further discussion, please see “Balancing and Memorandum Accounts” above.

Revenue also includes a surcharge collected from regulated customers that is paid to the CPUC. This surcharge is recorded both in operating revenues and administrative and general expenses. For the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, the surcharge was $5,013, $5,017 and $3,770, respectively.

Share-based Payment Policy

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

The compensation cost charged to income is recognized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period, which is the vesting period.

Maintenance Expense Policy

Planned major maintenance projects are charged to expense as incurred.

Earnings Per Share Policy

Basic earnings per share is calculated using income available to common stockholders, divided by the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the year. The two-class method in computing basic earnings per share is not used because the number of participating securities as defined in FASB ASC Topic 260—“Earnings Per Share” is not significant. The two-class method is an earnings allocation formula that determines earnings per share for each class of common stock and participating security. Diluted earnings per share is calculated using income available to common stockholders divided by the weighted average number of shares of common stock including both shares outstanding and shares potentially issuable in connection with deferred restricted common stock awards under SJW Group’s Long-Term Incentive Plan and shares potentially issuable under the Employee Stock Purchase Plans.