- Golden State Water Company filed to acquire a Norwalk water system serving nearly 900 customers for $5.25 million.
- The California Public Utilities Commission is expected to issue a proposed decision on the acquisition in the fourth quarter of 2026.
- American States Water Company was also recently named to TIME magazine’s America’s Best Companies 2026 list, one of only two investor-owned water utilities recognized.
Tuesday, July 21, 2026 — For nearly 900 households and businesses in Norwalk, a city tucked into Los Angeles County, the question of who controls their tap water may soon have a new answer. Golden State Water Company, the water utility arm of San Dimas-based American States Water Company, is moving to buy the city’s water system, and regulators appear willing to listen.
The Deal on the Table.
On July 13, 2026, Golden State Water Company and the Public Advocates Office at the California Public Utilities Commission filed a joint motion
asking state regulators to approve the deal. The acquisition, which Golden State Water Company first applied for in January 2026, carries a price tag of $5.25 million.
If approved, the Norwalk system’s roughly 900 customer connections would be folded into one of Golden State Water Company’s existing service territories. The California Public Utilities Commission is scheduled to issue a proposed decision in the fourth quarter of 2026.
The Public Advocates Office — sometimes called Cal Advocates — is the ratepayer watchdog arm of the California Public Utilities Commission. The fact that both the company and Cal Advocates filed the motion together signals a negotiated agreement, rather than a contested battle before regulators.
What This Means for Customers.
For Norwalk water customers, the practical effect of such a transfer is not always immediately obvious. Under California law, when a private water utility acquires a municipal system, rates and service standards fall under the oversight of the California Public Utilities Commission, which sets rules for how much customers can be charged and what service levels must be met.
The acquisition would extend Golden State Water Company’s footprint, which already spans more than 80 communities across Northern, Coastal and Southern California. The company currently serves approximately 265,100 customer connections statewide.
Robert J. Sprowls, President and Chief Executive Officer of American States Water Company, described the filing as a meaningful step forward.
“We are pleased to reach this milestone in our continued efforts to increase our footprint and expand our regulated water utility operations in California,” Sprowls said. “Our commitment to sustainable growth allows the company to deliver value to its customers and shareholders, while also continuing to attract capital to make the necessary investments in the utility infrastructure for the communities we serve.”
A Company on a Growing List of Accolades.
The Norwalk news comes just weeks after American States Water Company received another kind of recognition. On July 9, 2026, the company announced it had been named to TIME magazine’s America’s Best Companies 2026 list — and notably, it is one of only two investor-owned water utilities to earn a spot among the 1,000 companies recognized.
TIME partnered with the market research firm Statista to evaluate companies across three areas: financial performance, employee satisfaction, and sustainability transparency. The methodology drew on employee surveys, financial data, and an assessment of environmental, social responsibility, and corporate governance practices.
Sprowls welcomed the honor.
“This recognition reflects the company’s disciplined execution of its strategic growth plans, strong financial performance, commitment to our workforce, and robust environmental, social responsibility and governance practices,” he said.
A Company With Deep Roots.
American States Water Company has paid dividends to shareholders every year since 1931 and has increased those dividends for 71 consecutive years. The company serves more than one million people across ten states through its water, electric, and contracted military base services operations.
The next major milestone for the Norwalk deal will come when the California Public Utilities Commission issues its proposed decision, expected sometime before the end of 2026.
