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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2023
Accounting Policies [Abstract] |
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies | Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Use of Estimates The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Depreciable Utility Plant and Equipment The major components of depreciable plant and equipment as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows:
| 2023 |  | 2022
Source of supply | $ | 207,537 |  |  | 191,082 |
Pumping plant | 284,308 |  |  | 269,246 |
Water treatment plant | 354,617 |  |  | 327,492 |
Transmission and distribution plant | 2,820,358 |  |  | 2,615,640 |
General plant | 301,091 |  |  | 257,825 |
Total depreciable plant and equipment | $ | 3,967,911 |  |  | 3,661,285 |
Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated remaining service lives of groups of assets. The estimated service lives of depreciable plant and equipment are as follows:
| Useful Lives
Source of supply | 20 to 100 years
Pumping plant | 5 to 70 years
Water treatment plant | 5 to 50 years
Transmission and distribution plant | 10 to 100 years
General plant | 4 to 61 years
For the years 2023, 2022 and 2021, depreciation expense as a percent of the beginning of the year balance of depreciable plant was 2.9%, 3.3% and 3.2%, respectively. Depreciation expense for utility plant for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 was $104,325, $99,413 and $91,906, respectively. The cost of utility plant retired (less salvage) is charged to accumulated depreciation and no gain or loss is recognized. To the extent SJW Group recovers retirement costs through rates during the life of the associated asset and before the costs are incurred, these amounts result in a regulatory liability being reported based on the amounts previously recovered through customer rates until the costs to retire those assets are incurred. Allowance For Funds Used During Construction (“AFUDC”) AFUDC represents the capitalized costs of borrowed funds or a return on equity funds used to finance utility plant under construction and is capitalized as part of construction work in progress. AFUDC is recorded to the extent approved by the respective states’ utility regulators and is recovered through water rates as the utility plant depreciates. The amount of AFUDC debt capitalized in 2023, 2022 and 2021 was $2,900, $4,703 and $4,422, respectively. Interest on long-term debt is presented net of AFUDC debt capitalized on the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income. The amount of AFUDC equity capitalized in 2023, 2022 and 2021 was $2,114, $1,551 and $1,926, respectively, reflected in “Other, net” on the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income. Intangible Assets Finite-lived intangible assets are recorded at cost and are amortized using the straight-line method over the estimated useful life of the asset, ranging from 5 to 70 years. Indefinite-lived intangibles assets are not amortized, but instead are tested for impairment annually, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that it is more likely than not that the asset is impaired. (see Note 8, “Intangible Assets”). Nonutility Properties and Real Estate Investments Nonutility properties and real estate investments are recorded at cost and consist primarily of land and buildings. Net gains and losses from the sale of nonutility properties and real estate investments are recorded as a component of other (expense) income and operating expense, respectively, in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income. Nonutility property is property that is neither used nor useful in providing water utility services to customers and is excluded from rate base for rate-setting purposes. SJWC recognizes gain or loss on the disposition of nonutility property in accordance with California Public Utilities Commission (“CPUC”) Code Section 790, whereby the net proceeds are reinvested back into property that is useful in providing water utility services to customers. CTWS and TWC do not have regulatory restrictions on the use of proceeds from the sale of nonutility property. There is no depreciation associated with Water Utility Services nonutility property as it is all undeveloped land. The major components of nonutility properties and real estate investments are as follows as of December 31:
| 2023 |  | 2022
Land | $ | 4,137 |  |  | 12,615 |
Wholesale water supply assets | 8,465 |  |  | — |
Buildings and improvements | 748 |  |  | 45,418 |
Subtotal | 13,350 |  |  | 58,033 |
Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization | 194 |  |  | 17,158 |
Total | $ | 13,156 |  |  | 40,875 |
Depreciation on buildings and improvements for real estate investments is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets, ranging from 7 to 39 years. In March 2023, SJW Land Company entered into a broker agreement to sell its warehouse buildings and land property located in Knoxville, Tennessee. The company reclassified the Tennessee properties from held-and-used to held-for-sale at March 31, 2023. The Company’s intention is to complete the sale of these assets within a twelve-month period. The company records the Tennessee properties at the lower of their carrying value or estimated fair value less cost to sell, and also stopped recording depreciation on assets held for sale. SJW Group’s broker provides the estimated fair value of the Tennessee properties. No impairment has been recorded as the estimated fair value less cost to sell exceeds carrying value. The property is classified as part of the Real Estate Services reportable segment. The sale of the Tennessee properties does not represent a strategic shift that has or will have a major effect on SJW Group; therefore, the sale does not qualify for treatment as a discontinued operation. The following represents the major components of the Tennessee warehouse building and land property recorded in assets held-for-sale on the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2023:
| 2023
Land | $ | 13,170 |
Buildings and improvements | 44,950 |
Subtotal | 58,120 |
Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization | 17,270 |
Total | $ | 40,850 |
On October 29, 2021, SJWC sold two nonutility properties located in San Jose, California for $13,150. For the year ended December 31, 2022, SJW Group recognized the pre-tax gain on the sale of nonutility properties of $7,230, after selling expenses of $277 for one of the properties sold, and a gain of $5,442 which was deferred in 2021 pending the CPUC review. On February 15, 2022, the CPUC review was complete and SJWC recognized the deferred gain on sale of nonutility property in 2022. A former wholly owned subsidiary of SJW Group, Texas Water Alliance, was sold to Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority (“GBRA”) in 2017. The sales agreement with GBRA included a holdback amount of $3,000 to be paid to SJW Group on June 30, 2021, subject to reduction under certain conditions. SJW Group received the holdback amount without reduction from the GBRA on June 29, 2021 and recognized a pre-tax gain on sale of $3,000. Also, on October 29, 2021, SJW Land sold undeveloped land located in San Jose, California for $2,600. SJW Group recognized a pre-tax gain on the sale of real estate investments of $927, after selling expenses of $121. The following schedule shows the future minimum rental payments to be received from third parties under operating leases that have remaining noncancelable lease terms in excess of one year as of December 31, 2023:
Year ending December 31: | Rental Revenue
2024 | $ | 4,758 |
2025 | 5,063 |
2026 | 5,290 |
2027 | 3,990 |
2028 | 1,679 |
Thereafter | — |
Business Combinations and Asset Acquisitions SJW Group applies the provisions of Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) ASC Topic 805— “Business Combinations” for the accounting related to business and asset acquisitions. First, SJW Group applies the guidance in Topic 805 to determine whether a transaction represents a business combination or an acquisition of assets. If the transaction is a business combination, Topic 805 requires SJW Group to recognize separately from goodwill the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed at the acquisition date fair values. Goodwill as of the acquisition date is measured as the excess of consideration transferred over the net of the acquisition date fair values of the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed. If the transaction is an acquisition of assets, the cost of the transaction, including transaction costs, is allocated to the individual assets acquired and liabilities assumed on a relative fair value basis without recognition of goodwill. While SJW Group uses best available estimates and assumptions to accurately value assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the acquisition date, such estimates are inherently uncertain and subject to refinement. For business combinations, Topic 805 provides for a measurement period from the acquisition date of up to one year, during which we may record adjustments to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed with the corresponding offset to goodwill. Upon the conclusion of the measurement period, any subsequent adjustments are recorded to our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income. Accounting for business combinations and asset acquisitions requires SJW Group to make significant estimates and assumptions, especially at the acquisition date, including estimates for intangible assets, contractual obligations assumed and pre-acquisition contingencies. Although SJW Group believes that the assumptions and estimates we make are reasonable and appropriate, they are based in part on historical experience and information obtained from the acquired company’s management and are inherently uncertain. Events and circumstances may occur that may affect the accuracy or validity of such assumptions, estimates or actual results. Examples of critical estimates in valuing certain of the intangible assets we have acquired include, but are not limited to: future expected cash flows from services; historical and expected customer attrition rates and anticipated growth in revenue from acquired customers; the expected use of the acquired assets; and discount rates. See Note 14, “Acquisitions” for further information on business combinations and asset acquisitions. Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and Goodwill In accordance with the requirements of FASB ASC Topic 360—“Property, Plant and Equipment,” the long-lived assets of SJW Group, including property, plant and equipment and finite-lived intangible assets, are reviewed for impairment when changes in circumstances or events indicate that the carrying amount of the assets may not be recoverable. In assessing qualitative factors, SJW Group considers the impact of these key factors: change in industry and competitive environment, financial performance, and other relevant company-specific events. When such changes in circumstances or events occur, the company assesses recoverability by determining whether the carrying value of such assets will be recovered through the undiscounted expected future cash flows. To the extent an impairment exists, the asset is written down to its estimated fair value with a corresponding charge to operations in the period in which the impairment is identified. No impairments occurred during 2023 and 2022. During the year ended December 31, 2021, SJW Group determined that an implementation project for a customer care billing system at TWC will no longer be pursued and accordingly wrote-off $2,211 of accumulated costs for the project that were previously recorded as construction work in progress on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Goodwill is not amortized but is tested for impairment annually on October 1st or more frequently if an event occurs or circumstances change that would more likely than not, reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying amount. Indefinite-lived intangible assets, other than goodwill, are not amortized but are tested for impairment annually on October 1 st or more frequently if an event occurs or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of indefinite-lived intangible assets below their carrying amount. In performing impairment tests of goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets, SJW Group first performs a qualitative assessment to determine whether it is necessary to perform the quantitative impairment test. In assessing the qualitative factors, SJW Group considers the impact of these key factors: change in industry and competitive environment, financial performance, macroeconomic conditions, and other relevant Company-specific events. If SJW Group determines that as a result of the qualitative assessment it is more likely than not (> 50% likelihood) that the fair value is less than carrying amount, then a quantitative test is performed. As of October 1, 2023, SJW Group performed qualitative assessments of both goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets and found no indicators of impairment and therefore did not perform quantitative impairment tests. No impairments of goodwill or indefinite-lived intangible assets occurred during 2023, 2022 or 2021. Cash and Cash Equivalents Cash and cash equivalents primarily consisted of cash on deposit with banks and short-term, highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less. Restricted funds consisted of proceeds from state revolving fund bond issuances to MWC of $4,000 on December 23, 2020, for capital expenditures. Proceeds were held by a trustee for the bonds and released when the funding conditions were met. As of December 31, 2021, $2,789 of the proceeds from the December 23, 2020, bond were released by the trustee, and the balance of $1,211 was released during the year ended December 31, 2022. Accounts Receivable Accounts receivable are recorded at the invoiced amounts. The allowance for uncollectible accounts is SJW Group’s best estimate of credit losses in its existing accounts receivable and is determined based on current expected losses. The estimate is based on historical loss information adjusted for current conditions. Accounts balances are written off against the allowance when it is probable the receivable will not be recovered or is over a certain number of days outstanding. Financial Instruments and Investments The following instruments are not measured at fair value on the company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets but require disclosure of fair values: cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, and lines of credit. The estimated fair value of such instruments approximates their carrying value as reported on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The fair value of such financial instruments are determined using the income approach based on the present value of estimated future cash flows. The fair value of these instruments would be categorized as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy, with the exception of cash and cash equivalents, which would be categorized as Level 1. The fair value of long-term debt is discussed in Note 6, “Long-Term Debt” and pension plan assets in Note 11, “Benefit Plans.” SJW Group has investments in company owned life insurance which are valued at cash surrender value of the policies as reported by the insurer. The value of these contracts is based principally on a referenced pool of investment funds that actively redeem shares, are observable and measurable, and are presented in “Investments” on SJW Group’s Consolidated Balance Sheets. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the value of the company owned life insurance was $8,220 and $7,342, respectively, of which $3,937 and $3,420, respectively, was related to assets to fund CTWS’ supplemental retirement plan agreements. See discussion on pension plans in Note 11, “Benefit Plans.” Income Taxes Income taxes are accounted for using the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the effect of temporary differences between financial and tax reporting. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using current tax rates in effect. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in the period that includes the enactment date. To the extent permitted by the regulators, investment tax credits resulting from public utility plant additions are deferred and amortized over the estimated useful lives of the related property. In addition, investment tax credits resulting from other asset additions are recognized in the year the property is put in service. Advances for Construction and Contributions in Aid of Construction In California, advances for construction received after 1981 are primarily refunded ratably over 40 years. In Connecticut and Maine, advances for construction are refunded as services are connected to the main, over periods not exceeding 15 years and in Texas advances for construction are non-refundable. Estimated refunds for the next five years and thereafter are shown below:
| Estimated Refunds
2024 | $ | 3,034 |
2025 | 2,970 |
2026 | 2,878 |
2027 | 2,793 |
2028 | 2,726 |
Thereafter | 46,574 |
As of December 31, 2023, advances for construction were $146,582 of which $55,170 was related to non-refundable advances for construction and $30,437 was related to advances which are refunded based on service connections made. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the fair value of the advances for construction refunded ratably over 40 years is $40,915 and $44,715, respectively. Contributions in aid of construction represent funds or property received from developers that are not refundable under applicable regulations. Depreciation applicable to utility plant constructed with these contributions is charged to contributions in aid of construction. Customer advances and contributions in aid of construction received subsequent to 1986 and prior to June 12, 1996, generally must be included in federal taxable income, except for CTWS. Taxes paid relating to advances and contributions are recorded as deferred tax assets for financial reporting purposes and are amortized over 40 years for advances and over the tax depreciable life of the related asset for contributions. Receipts subsequent to June 12, 1996, are generally exempt from federal taxable income, unless specifically prescribed under treasury regulations, including CTWS. Advances and contributions received subsequent to 1991 and prior to 1997 are included in state taxable income, except for CTWS. Asset Retirement Obligation SJW Group’s asset retirement obligation is recorded as a liability included in other non-current liabilities. It reflects principally the retirement costs of wells and other anticipated clean-up costs, which by law, must be remediated upon retirement. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the asset retirement obligation is as follows:
| 2023 |  | 2022
Estimated future retirement costs | $ | 4,198 |  |  | 4,426 |
Discount rate | 6 | % |  | 6 | %
Retirement obligation, present value | $ | 862 |  |  | 920 |
Revenue SJW Group recognizes revenue under ASC Topic 606—“Revenue from Contracts with Customers” for metered revenue of Water Utility Services, which includes billings to customers based on meter readings plus an estimate of water used between the customers’ last meter reading and the end of the accounting period. SJW Group satisfies its performance obligation upon delivery of water to the customer at which time the customer consumes the benefits provided by the company. The customer is generally billed on a quarterly, monthly, or bi-monthly basis after water delivery has occurred. The customer is charged both a service charge which is based upon meter size and covers a portion of the fixed costs of furnishing water to the customer and a consumption charge based on actual water usage. Unbilled revenue from the last meter reading date to the end of the accounting period is estimated based on the most recent usage patterns, production records and the effective tariff rates. As the company has the right to bill for services that it has provided, SJW Group estimates the dollar value of deliveries during the unbilled period and recognizes the associated revenue. Actual results could differ from those estimates, which may result in an adjustment to revenue when billed in a subsequent period. SJW Group also recognizes revenue under ASC Topic 980-605-25—“Alternative Revenue Programs.” Under programs established by the CPUC and Public Utilities Regulatory Authority of Connecticut (“PURA”), allowing for automatic adjustment of future rates, the company recognizes revenue when it is objectively determinable, probable of recovery and expected to be collected within 24 months of the year-end in which the revenue is recognized. A reserve, based on an estimate of actual usage over the recovery period, is recorded for any amounts SJW Group estimates will not be collected within the 24-month period. SJW Group’s alternative revenue programs include SJWC’s Water Conservation Memorandum Account (“WCMA”) and CTWS’s Water Rate Adjustment mechanism (“WRA”). See further discussion on WCMA and WRA in Note 3, “Regulatory Matters.” SJW Group’s revenues also reflect the impact of other balancing and memorandum accounts and other regulatory mechanisms that are accounted for under FASB ASC Topic 980—“Regulated Operations.” Balancing and memorandum accounts are recognized when it is probable that future recovery of previously incurred costs or future refunds that are to be credited to customers will occur through the ratemaking process. See further discussion in Note 3, “Regulatory Matters.” SJW Group also recognizes revenue from rental income, which represents lease rental income. Tenants pay monthly in accordance with lease agreements and SJW Group recognizes the income ratably over the lease term as this is the most representative of the pattern in which the benefit is expected to be derived from SJW Group’s underlying asset. Detail of SJW Group’s revenue is as follows for the years ended December 31:
| 2023 |  | 2022 |  | 2021
Revenue from contracts with customers | $ | 678,168 |  |  | 586,918 |  |  | 559,568 |
Alternative revenue programs, net | 3,634 |  |  | (1,312) |  |  | 5,304 |
Other balancing and memorandum accounts and regulatory mechanisms, net | (17,123) |  |  | 29,487 |  |  | 3,435 |
Rental income | 5,684 |  |  | 5,605 |  |  | 5,379 |
| $ | 670,363 |  |  | 620,698 |  |  | 573,686 |
Revenue also includes a surcharge collected from regulated customers that is paid to the CPUC. This surcharge is recorded both in operating revenues and administrative and general expenses. For the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, the surcharge was $4,085, $6,121 and $5,691, respectively. Share-Based Compensation SJW Group calculates the fair value of service-based and performance-based restricted stock awards based on the grant date fair value of the company’s stock price reduced by the present value of the dividends expected to be declared on outstanding shares. SJW Group utilizes the Monte Carlo valuation model, which requires the use of subjective assumptions, to compute the fair value of market-vesting restricted stock units. The compensation cost for service-based restricted stock awards are charged to income on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period, which is the vesting period. For performance-based stock awards, compensation expense is charged to income on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period based on expected attainment of performance targets. Changes in the estimates of the expected attainment of performance targets will result in a change in the number of shares that are expected to vest which may cause a cumulative catch up for the amount of share-based compensation expense during each reporting period in which such estimates are altered. Forfeitures are accounted for as they occur. Earnings per Share Basic earnings per share is calculated using income available to common stockholders, divided by the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share is calculated using income available to common stockholders divided by the weighted average number of shares of common stock including both shares outstanding and shares potentially issuable in connection with restricted common stock awards under SJW Group’s long-term incentive plans, shares potentially issuable under the performance stock plans assumed through the business combination with CTWS, and shares potentially issuable under SJW Group’s employee stock purchase plans. Restricted common stock units of 14,193, 25,127 and 16,347 as of December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively, were excluded from the dilutive earnings per share calculation as their effect would have been anti-dilutive. Reclassifications Certain reclassifications have been made to prior periods in the Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes to conform to the current presentation. New Accounting Standards In November 2023, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2023-07, “Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures.” (“ASU 2023-07”). Among other changes, the ASU requires disclosure of significant segment expenses and extends certain annual disclosures to interim periods. The ASU is effective for SJW Group beginning with its annual financial statements for the year ending December 31, 2024. Early adoption is permitted. SJW Group is currently evaluating the requirements of ASU 2023-07. In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09, “Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures.” The ASU amends certain income tax disclosure requirements, including adding requirements to present the reconciliation of income tax expense computed at the statutory rate to actual income tax expense using both percentages and amounts and providing a disaggregation of income taxes paid. Further, certain disclosures are eliminated, including the current requirement to disclose information on changes in unrecognized tax benefits in the next 12 months. The ASU is effective for SJW Group beginning with its annual financial statements for the year ending December 31, 2025. Early adoption is permitted. SJW Group is currently evaluating the requirements of ASU 2023-09.

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