General Rate Case 2022-2024

All water companies regulated by the CPUC are required to file a General Rate Case (GRC) every three years to ensure that rates accurately reflect the cost of providing service. In the GRC process, the CPUC sets rates to cover the costs of providing water — allowing us to earn a reasonable return on our investment in the water system. Major costs to operate a water system include purchased electric power, purchased water, treatment costs, groundwater pumping fees, labor and chemicals.

On January 4, 2021, we filed a GRC application for the years 2022-2024. The application is requesting a total increase of $87,712,000. 

The goal is to ensure:

• Investment in the infrastructure needed to deliver reliable water service
• The long-term health of our region’s water supply
• Reasonable and fair rates 

Chain of events – how it works

• SJW reviews its historical costs, projected costs, and planned water system improvements and prepares a General Rate Case application for consideration by the CPUC.
• The CPUC Division of Ratepayer Advocates (DRA) analyzes our application and makes a recommendation.
• The CPUC hosts public hearings to receive input from customers on the application.
• The CPUC holds a formal hearing, presided over by an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ), which is similar to a court proceeding.
• The ALJ issues a proposed decision.
• The CPUC Commissioners vote on the proposed decision. New rates typically become effective five days later. The entire process can take 12 months or more.

FAQ & Glossary

Answers to your most commonly-asked questions and a glossary of commonly used terms.

Value of Water

SJW provides many other benefits to the community in addition to high-quality water.

Water Rates

Everything you wanted to know about rates and more. 

GRC Year 1 - November 2022

2022 rates have been approved by the California Public Utilities Commission effective Nov. 1, 2022. Learn about the new tier rates and more.

Where Your Rates Go

Learn about where your rate dollars are spent.

The California Public Utilities Commission will be hosting a Public Participation Hearing (PPH) about San Jose Water’s General Rate Case (GRC). It will be held on Thursday, May 13, 2021 at 1:30 PM and 6:00 PM.  Event details are available in the public notices listed below.

See the General Rate Case Application on the California Public Utilities Commission's website.