Financial Highlights
- Total revenue increased 5.8% year-over-year (“YoY”) to
$55.8 million . The increase was primarily due to the recent acquisition of seven water systems from Tucson Water, organic connection growth, increased consumption and higher rates. - Net income decreased to
$3.0 million or$0.11 per share, a decrease of$2.8 million or 48.9% YoY. The decrease primarily reflects the company’s capital improvement plan, which resulted in increased depreciation expense and net interest expense, and loss on asset disposals of$1.3 million related to the recommissioning of the company’s Southwest Plant. - Adjusted net income, a non-GAAP measure, decreased to
$3.9 million or$0.14 per diluted share in 2025, as compared to$6.3 million , or$0.26 per diluted share in 2024 (see definition of adjusted net income and its reconciliation to GAAP, below). - Adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP measure, decreased 0.7% YoY to
$26.5 million (see definition of adjusted EBITDA and its reconciliation to GAAP, below). - Declared three monthly cash dividends of
$0.02533 per common share or$0.30396 per common share on an annualized basis. - On
December 10, 2025 , secured a$15 million term loan at a fixed interest rate of 5.49%.
Operational Highlights
- Total active service connections at
December 31, 2025 , increased 6.3% YoY to 68,577. - Annualized active service connection growth rate excluding the recent acquisition of seven water systems was 3.2%.
- Water consumption increased 5.9% YoY to 4.28 billion gallons in 2025.
- Invested
$17.7 million in Q4 2025 in infrastructure projects to support existing utilities and continued growth, bringing the total investment for the year to$67.3 million , successfully delivering our planned capital investments. - Completed the acquisition of seven water systems from Tucson Water, the City of Tucson’s water utility. The assets were acquired at a value equivalent to approximately 1.05 times the current rate base of approximately
$7.7 million and are expected to generate approximately$1.5 million in revenue annually.
Management Commentary
“2025 included large and successful initiatives that materially grew rate base,” commented
“With respect to these initiatives, we had a near record year for capital investments that were critical to complete within 2025. These investments spanned everything from recommissioning the previously mothballed water reclamation facility in
“However, these investments increased expenses across the board, including much larger depreciation and a one-time asset write-off, which all impact income and earnings per share. This is an unfortunate yet necessary part of the historical test year environment here in
“To that point, beyond revenue and connection growth that remains strong, we continue to work through the commission’s rate case process for our two largest utilities and hope to have a fair resolution in 2026. As a reminder, 2024 was the test year, and 2025 investments are also allowed for inclusion into new rates if they meet certain post test year criteria, as a means to reduce the lag in rate recovery.
“As previously reported, our recent testimonies, filed in the fourth quarter, support a requested net annual revenue increase of approximately
“We remain committed to supporting Arizona’s long-term growth by pursuing rate cases that enable continued investment in water and wastewater infrastructure. These rate adjustments are essential to maintain safe, reliable service and to ensure that our systems keep pace with the state’s expanding economy and population.
“In the meantime, 2026 is about working hard to control expenses, and we have reduced the pace of capital investments.
“Other major developments for the company went into effect late last year, including Arizona’s new ‘Ag-to-Urban’ program that allows landowners who cease agricultural operations to convert their water rights for use in new development. The initiative aims to conserve millions of acre-feet of groundwater while addressing
“Another important development last year was the
“We believe
“Our ongoing
“In light of all these considerations, as we look ahead we are confident these efforts will provide lasting value for both our customers and shareholders.”
Financial Summary for the Years Ended
Revenue
| Year Ended | Favorable (Unfavorable) | |||||||
| 2025 vs. 2024 | ||||||||
| (in thousands) | 2025 | 2024 | % | |||||
| Water service | $ | 28,609 | $ | 26,064 | $ | 2,545 | 9.8 | % |
| Wastewater and recycled water service | 27,149 | 26,628 | 521 | 2.0 | % | |||
| Total revenue | $ | 55,758 | $ | 52,692 | $ | 3,066 | 5.8 | % |
The increase in revenue for the year ended
- Organic growth in active water and wastewater connections and growth from the acquisition of the seven water systems from the
City of Tucson inJuly 2025 . - Increased water consumption, predominantly driven by the increase in active connections and higher usage.
- Higher rates for GW-Saguaro, resulting from the GW-Saguaro general rate case, effective
July 2024 andJanuary 2025 , and higher rates for GW-Farmers, resulting from the GW-Farmers general rate case, effectiveMay 1, 2025 andNovember 1, 2025 . - The increase in wastewater and recycled water service revenue was partially offset by an increase of
$0.4 million in bill credits related to the company's Southwest Plant, which were effective beginningAugust 2024 .
Operating Expenses
| Year Ended | Favorable (Unfavorable) | ||||||||
| 2025 vs. 2024 | |||||||||
| (in thousands) | 2025 | 2024 | $ | % | |||||
| Personnel costs - operations and maintenance | $ | 5,637 | $ | 5,014 | $ | (623 | ) | (12.4 | )% |
| Utilities, chemicals and repairs | 4,671 | 3,927 | (744 | ) | (18.9 | )% | |||
| Other operations and maintenance expenses | 5,441 | 4,785 | (656 | ) | (13.7 | )% | |||
| Total operations and maintenance expense | 15,749 | 13,726 | (2,023 | ) | (14.7 | )% | |||
| Personnel costs - general and administrative | 9,119 | 9,173 | 54 | 0.6 | % | ||||
| Professional fees | 1,899 | 1,687 | (212 | ) | (12.6 | )% | |||
| Other general and administrative expenses | 6,837 | 6,022 | (815 | ) | (13.5 | )% | |||
| Total general and administrative expense | 17,855 | 16,882 | (973 | ) | (5.8 | )% | |||
| Depreciation, amortization and accretion | 14,998 | 12,720 | (2,278 | ) | (17.9 | )% | |||
| Total operating expenses | $ | 48,602 | $ | 43,328 | $ | (5,274 | ) | (12.2 | )% |
Operations and Maintenance
- Higher personnel costs were primarily attributable to hiring additional employees for the newly acquired water systems from the
City of Tucson , as well as increased medical costs. - Higher utilities, chemicals and repairs were primarily the result of increases in water treatment expenses, chemicals and purchased power. The increased water treatment expenses were significantly driven by costs to operate a new uranium water treatment facility. Increases in chemical costs were largely attributable to additional water consumption. In addition, increases to purchased power expense resulted from increased water consumption, additional processing equipment in operation as a result of our 2025 capital expenditure program and utility rate increases.
- The increase in other operations and maintenance expenses was primarily driven by expenses related to additional contracts with IT and other contract service providers as well as increased transportation costs and an increase in rent expense as a result of a new office lease in
Pima County inDecember 2024 .
General and Administrative
- Higher professional fees were primarily attributable to increased legal fees associated with the Nikola bankruptcy.
- The increase in other general and administrative expenses was primarily attributable to:
- Increased costs associated with third party service providers, significantly driven by new and expanded services, as well as additional licensing fees, resulting from organic and acquisitive growth.
- Higher general liability insurance costs.
- Higher fees from municipality licensing-type agreements related to increased revenue.
- Increased rent expense related to the renewal of our corporate office lease.
- Higher credit loss expense as a result of aging receivables.
Depreciation, Amortization and Accretion
The increase for the year ended
Total Other Expense
The increase in total other expense for the year ended
- Loss on asset disposals of
$1.3 million related to the recommissioning of our Southwest Plant for parts that were unable to be reused from the original plant. - A decrease in interest income of
$0.5 million as a result of carrying lower average cash balances. - A decrease in income associated with Buckeye growth premiums of
$0.5 million that resulted from fewer new meter connections in the area. - All of which is partially offset by higher AFUDC-Equity of
$0.3 million attributable to the 2025 capital expenditure program.
Net Income
Net income decreased
Adjusted EBITDA
Adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP measure, decreased 0.7% to
Adjusted Net Income
Adjusted net income, a non-GAAP measure, decreased 38.4% to
Dividend Policy
The company recently declared a monthly cash dividend of
Business Strategy
Connection Rates
As of
Arizona’s Growth Corridor: Positive Population and Economic Trends
The company continues to experience organic growth exhibited through its year-over-year organic increase in active connections (i.e., exclusive of acquisition related growth) of 3.2% as of
The company’s organic growth continues to be primarily influenced by the comparatively lower cost of housing in the
While new permit activity has slowed in 2025, the Phoenix MSA, and specifically the
Conference Call
Date:
Time:
Toll-free dial-in number: 1-833-816-1435
International dial-in number: 1-412-317-0527
Conference ID: 10206112
Webcast (live and replay): here
The conference call webcast is also available via a link in the Investors section of the company’s website at www.gwresources.com.
Please call the conference telephone number five minutes prior to the start time. An operator will register your name and organization. If you require any assistance connecting to the call, please contact Encore IR at 1-949-432-7450.
A replay of the call will be available after
Toll-free replay number: 1-844-512-2921
International replay number: 1-412-317-6671
Replay ID: 10206112
About
The company has been recognized for its highly effective implementation of Total Water Management (TWM). TWM is an integrated approach to managing the entire water cycle that involves owning and operating water, wastewater and recycled water utilities within the same geographic area in order to maximize the beneficial use of recycled water. It enables smart water management programs such as remote metering infrastructure and other advanced technologies, rate designs, and incentives that result in real conservation. TWM helps protect water supplies in water-scarce areas experiencing population growth.
To learn more, visit www.gwresources.com.
Use of Non-GAAP Measures
This press release contains certain financial measures that are not recognized measures under accounting principles generally accepted in
Management believes that EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted net income, and adjusted diluted earnings per common share are useful supplemental measures of our operating performance and provide our investors meaningful measures of overall corporate performance. EBITDA is also presented because management believes that it is frequently used by investment analysts, investors, and other interested parties as a measure of financial performance. Adjusted EBITDA, adjusted net income, and adjusted diluted earnings per common share are also presented because management believes that they provide our investors additional measures of our recurring core business. However, non-GAAP measures do not have a standardized meaning prescribed by GAAP, and investors are cautioned that non-GAAP measures, such as EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted net income, and adjusted diluted earnings per common share, should not be construed as an alternative to net income or loss, diluted earnings per common share, or other income statement data (which are determined in accordance with GAAP) as an indicator of our performance or as a measure of liquidity and cash flows. Management's method of calculating EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted net income, and adjusted diluted earnings per common share may differ materially from the method used by other companies and accordingly, may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies. A reconciliation of EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA, and adjusted net income to net income, and a reconciliation of adjusted diluted earnings per common share to diluted earnings per common share, the most comparable GAAP measures, are included in the schedules attached to this press release.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements in this press release and the related conference call include certain forward-looking statements which reflect the company's expectations regarding future events. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements about our strategies; expectations about future business plans, prospective performance, growth, and opportunities, including expected growth in and around metropolitan
| Company Contact: CFO and SVP Tel (480) 999-5104 mike.liebman@gwresources.com | Investor Relations: Encore Investor Relations Tel (949) 432-7450 GWRS@encore-ir.com |
Consolidated Balance Sheets | ||||||
| (in thousands, except share and per share amounts) | ||||||
| Assets | ||||||
| Utility Plant | $ | 610,766 | $ | 515,358 | ||
| Less: accumulated depreciation | (168,915 | ) | (153,614 | ) | ||
| Net utility plant | 441,851 | 361,744 | ||||
| Current Assets | ||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | 4,080 | 9,047 | ||||
| Accounts receivable, net of allowance for credit losses of | 3,746 | 3,233 | ||||
| Unbilled revenue | 3,409 | 3,109 | ||||
| Prepaid expenses and other current assets | 3,388 | 4,080 | ||||
| Total current assets | 14,623 | 19,469 | ||||
| Other Assets | ||||||
| 6,512 | 9,486 | |||||
| Intangible assets, net | 6,062 | 6,062 | ||||
| Regulatory assets | 7,003 | 4,032 | ||||
| Restricted cash | 2,755 | 2,109 | ||||
| Right-of-use assets, net | 3,990 | 2,157 | ||||
| Other noncurrent assets | 117 | 78 | ||||
| Total other assets | 26,439 | 23,924 | ||||
| Total Assets | $ | 482,913 | $ | 405,137 | ||
| Capitalization and Liabilities | ||||||
| Capitalization | ||||||
| Common stock, | $ | 285 | $ | 240 | ||
| (2 | ) | (2 | ) | |||
| Additional paid-in capital | 87,294 | 47,366 | ||||
| Retained deficit | (961 | ) | — | |||
| Total shareholders’ equity | 86,616 | 47,604 | ||||
| Long-term debt, net | 129,756 | 118,518 | ||||
| Total Capitalization | 216,372 | 166,122 | ||||
| Current Liabilities | ||||||
| Accounts payable | 2,251 | 2,051 | ||||
| Customer and meter deposits | 1,725 | 1,609 | ||||
| Long-term debt, current portion | 3,942 | 3,926 | ||||
| Leases, current portion | 850 | 871 | ||||
| Accrued expenses and other current liabilities | 10,457 | 13,801 | ||||
| Total current liabilities | 19,225 | 22,258 | ||||
| Other Liabilities | ||||||
| Long-term lease liabilities | 3,741 | 1,450 | ||||
| Deferred revenue - ICFA | 22,772 | 21,517 | ||||
| Regulatory liabilities | 5,214 | 5,386 | ||||
| Advances in aid of construction | 155,414 | 126,467 | ||||
| Contributions in aid of construction, net | 37,857 | 36,834 | ||||
| Deferred income tax liabilities, net | 9,699 | 9,698 | ||||
| Other noncurrent liabilities | 12,619 | 15,405 | ||||
| Total other liabilities | 247,316 | 216,757 | ||||
| Total Capitalization and Liabilities | $ | 482,913 | $ | 405,137 | ||
Consolidated Statements of Operations | ||||||
| Years Ended | ||||||
| (in thousands, except share and per share amounts) | 2025 | 2024 | ||||
| Revenue | ||||||
| Water service | $ | 28,609 | $ | 26,064 | ||
| Wastewater and recycled water service | 27,149 | 26,628 | ||||
| Total revenue | 55,758 | 52,692 | ||||
| Operating Expenses | ||||||
| Operations and maintenance | 15,749 | 13,726 | ||||
| General and administrative | 17,855 | 16,882 | ||||
| Depreciation, amortization and accretion | 14,998 | 12,720 | ||||
| Total operating expenses | 48,602 | 43,328 | ||||
| Operating Income | 7,156 | 9,364 | ||||
| Other Income (Expense) | ||||||
| Interest income | 446 | 946 | ||||
| Interest expense | (5,964 | ) | (6,098 | ) | ||
| Other, net | 2,345 | 3,650 | ||||
| Total other expense | (3,173 | ) | (1,502 | ) | ||
| Income Before Income Taxes | 3,983 | 7,862 | ||||
| Income Tax Expense | (1,026 | ) | (2,073 | ) | ||
| Net Income | $ | 2,957 | $ | 5,789 | ||
| Basic earnings per common share | $ | 0.11 | $ | 0.24 | ||
| Diluted earnings per common share | $ | 0.11 | $ | 0.24 | ||
| Dividends declared per common share | $ | 0.30 | $ | 0.30 | ||
| Weighted average number of common shares used in the determination of: | ||||||
| Basic | 27,028,936 | 24,204,706 | ||||
| Diluted | 27,076,437 | 24,303,340 | ||||
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows | ||||||
| Years Ended | ||||||
| (in thousands) | 2025 | 2024 | ||||
| Cash Flows from Operating Activities: | ||||||
| Net income | $ | 2,957 | $ | 5,789 | ||
| Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: | ||||||
| Depreciation, amortization and accretion | 14,998 | 12,720 | ||||
| Share-based compensation | 861 | 1,029 | ||||
| Deferred income tax expense | 58 | 1,473 | ||||
| AFUDC-Equity | (1,156 | ) | (892 | ) | ||
| Loss on disposal of fixed assets | 1,251 | $ | 309 | |||
| Operating lease expense | 367 | 384 | ||||
| Other adjustments | 254 | 125 | ||||
| Changes in assets and liabilities | ||||||
| Accounts receivable and other current assets | 85 | (1,986 | ) | |||
| Accounts payable and other current liabilities | 151 | (915 | ) | |||
| Other noncurrent assets | (195 | ) | 565 | |||
| Other noncurrent liabilities | 537 | 3,184 | ||||
| Net cash provided by operating activities | 20,168 | 21,785 | ||||
| Cash Flows from Investing Activities: | ||||||
| Capital expenditures | (67,321 | ) | (32,324 | ) | ||
| Cash paid for acquisitions, net of cash acquired | (8,098 | ) | (150 | ) | ||
| Other cash flows used in investing activities | — | (4 | ) | |||
| Net cash used in investing activities | (75,419 | ) | (32,478 | ) | ||
| Cash Flows from Financing Activities: | ||||||
| Dividends paid | (8,201 | ) | (7,298 | ) | ||
| Advances and contributions in aid of construction | 6,165 | 10,627 | ||||
| Refunds of advances for construction | (1,427 | ) | (1,355 | ) | ||
| Principal payments under finance lease | (401 | ) | (273 | ) | ||
| Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt | 15,222 | 22,357 | ||||
| Repayments of long-term debt | (3,933 | ) | (3,923 | ) | ||
| Revolver borrowings | 10,950 | — | ||||
| Revolver repayments | (10,950 | ) | (2,315 | ) | ||
| Issuance of common stock, net of issuance costs | 44,130 | — | ||||
| Financing costs of debt and equity transactions | (443 | ) | (418 | ) | ||
| Other financing activities | (182 | ) | (316 | ) | ||
| Net cash provided by financing activities | 50,930 | 17,086 | ||||
| Increase (Decrease) in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash | (4,321 | ) | 6,393 | |||
| Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash — Beginning of period | 11,156 | 4,763 | ||||
| Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash — End of period | $ | 6,835 | $ | 11,156 | ||
| Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information: | ||||||
| Years Ended | ||||||
| (in thousands) | 2025 | 2024 | ||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 4,080 | $ | 9,047 | ||
| Restricted cash | 2,755 | 2,109 | ||||
| Total cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash | $ | 6,835 | $ | 11,156 | ||
A reconciliation of net income to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA is as follows:
| Years Ended | ||||||
| (in thousands) | 2025 | 2024 | ||||
| Net Income | $ | 2,957 | $ | 5,789 | ||
| Income tax expense | 1,026 | 2,073 | ||||
| Interest income | (446 | ) | (946 | ) | ||
| Interest expense | 5,964 | 6,098 | ||||
| Depreciation, amortization and accretion | 14,998 | 12,720 | ||||
| EBITDA | 24,499 | 25,734 | ||||
| Loss on disposal of fixed assets1 | 1,256 | 308 | ||||
| Restricted stock expense | 713 | 767 | ||||
| Acquisition gain resulting from regulatory decision | — | (37 | ) | |||
| Gain on adjustment of contingent consideration liability | — | (119 | ) | |||
| Storm-related expenses2 | 11 | — | ||||
| EBITDA adjustments | 1,980 | 919 | ||||
| Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 26,479 | $ | 26,653 | ||
A reconciliation of net income to adjusted net income and diluted earnings per common share to adjusted diluted earnings per common share is as follows:
| Years Ended | ||||||
| (in thousands, except share and per share amounts) | 2025 | 2024 | ||||
| Net Income | $ | 2,957 | $ | 5,789 | ||
| ICFA intangible amortization expense | — | 280 | ||||
| Loss on disposal of fixed assets1 | 1,256 | 308 | ||||
| Gain on adjustment of contingent consideration liability | — | (119 | ) | |||
| Acquisition gain loss resulting from regulatory decision | — | (37 | ) | |||
| Storm-related expenses2 | 11 | — | ||||
| Income tax effect of items above | (319 | ) | 114 | |||
| Adjusted Net Income | $ | 3,905 | $ | 6,335 | ||
| Diluted weighted average common shares | 27,076,437 | 24,303,340 | ||||
| Diluted earnings per common share | $ | 0.11 | $ | 0.24 | ||
| Adjustments to diluted earnings per common share | 0.03 | 0.02 | ||||
| Adjusted diluted earnings per common share | $ | 0.14 | $ | 0.26 | ||
1Asset disposals related to the recommissioning of our Southwest Plant for parts that were unable to be reused from the original plant.
2Represents one-time expenses related to severe weather events, net of reimbursement received from responsible third parties.
Source: 