Cal Water Selected to Negotiate Lease Agreement for City of Commerce Water System

The Commerce City Council voted unanimously at its meeting on Oct. 16, 2001, to negotiate a 15-year lease agreement for its water system with California Water Service Group subsidiary CWS Utility Services.

California Water Service Group subsidiary California Water Service Co. has operated and maintained the Commerce water system, which includes 1,085 metered connections, for the past 16 years.

"We are thrilled to be selected from among the four companies who responded to the city's request for qualifications (RFQs) and request for proposals (RFPs). We have operated the system by contract for so long that we view our Commerce customers as family. We look forward to continuing to provide them high-quality water services," said David Karraker, Cal Water's East Los Angeles district manager.

The city engaged consultant Psomas, Inc., to evaluate the RFQs and RFPs it received. CWS Utility Services was recommended as the most qualified bidder. The Council concurred and authorized staff to negotiate exclusively with CWS Utility Services. The terms of the 15-year lease agreement are expected to be reached in about a month.

Source: California Water Service Group