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Global Water Resources (NASDAQ: GWRS) settles one Arizona rate case, resets another

Filing Impact
(Moderate)
Filing Sentiment
(Neutral)
Form Type
8-K

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

Global Water Resources, Inc. reports a key development in its Arizona rate proceedings. The company’s GW-Santa Cruz water rate case has been settled among the parties, while the GW-Palo Verde wastewater rate case will be withdrawn with the intention to refile in 2027 using a 2026 test year. GW-Palo Verde will also seek authorization from the Arizona Corporation Commission to increase the bill credit for customers related to the Company’s Southwest Plant under Decision No. 79424. The company expects the settlement agreement to be filed on April 28, 2026 and related settlement testimony on May 22, 2026.

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Insights

Global Water advances one Arizona rate case while resetting another for 2027.

Global Water Resources has reached a settlement in its GW-Santa Cruz water rate case, bringing regulatory clarity for that service area. Settlements in rate cases often define allowed revenues and cost recovery, though this disclosure does not specify financial terms.

For GW-Palo Verde, the company plans to withdraw its current wastewater rate case and refile in 2027 using a 2026 test year. This effectively delays comprehensive rate setting for that utility but aligns the case with more recent operating data.

GW-Palo Verde also plans to seek authorization to increase a bill credit tied to the Southwest Plant under ACC Decision No. 79424, which could modify customer credits once approved. Key upcoming milestones are the expected filing of the settlement agreement on April 28, 2026 and settlement testimony on May 22, 2026.

Item 8.01 Other Events Other
Voluntary disclosure of events the company deems important to shareholders but not covered by other items.
GW-Santa Cruz rate case status Settled as of April 14, 2026 Settlement referenced in Notice of Settlement and Request to Modify Procedural Schedule
GW-Palo Verde refile timing Refiling planned in 2027 New rate case expected to use a 2026 test year
Settlement agreement filing date April 28, 2026 Expected date to file settlement agreement with ACC
Settlement testimony filing date May 22, 2026 Expected date to file settlement testimony with ACC
Original ACC decision reference Decision No. 79424 Decision that originally approved Southwest Plant bill credit
Initial rate case filing date March 5, 2025 Date GW-Santa Cruz and GW-Palo Verde filed rate case applications
Initial testimony filing date October 1, 2025 Date ACC Utilities Division and RUCO filed initial testimonies
rate case financial
"each filed a rate case application and related schedules with the Arizona Corporation Commission"
A rate case is a formal process where a company, like a utility, asks regulators to approve higher or lower prices for its services. It matters because the decision affects how much consumers pay and how much the company can earn, impacting everyone's financial interests.
Arizona Corporation Commission regulatory
"filed a rate case application and related schedules with the Arizona Corporation Commission"
Residential Utility Consumer Office regulatory
"the ACC Utilities Division and the Residential Utility Consumer Office filed their respective initial written testimonies"
bill credit financial
"GW-Palo Verde will seek authorization to increase the bill credit for customers related to the Company’s Southwest Plant"
test year financial
"with the intent of refiling its rate case in 2027 using a 2026 test year"
forward-looking statements regulatory
"contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of federal securities laws"
Forward-looking statements are predictions or plans that companies share about what they expect to happen in the future, like estimating sales or profits. They matter because they help investors understand a company's outlook, but since they are based on guesses and assumptions, they can sometimes be wrong.
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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): April 14, 2026
 GLOBAL WATER RESOURCES, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware001-3775690-0632193
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
(Commission
File Number)
(IRS Employer
Identification No.)
21410 N. 19th Avenue #220
Phoenix,Arizona85027
(Address of principal executive offices)(Zip Code)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (480360-7775

Not Applicable
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2 below):
Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act.
Title of each classTrading SymbolName of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, par value $0.01 per shareGWRSThe NASDAQ Stock Market, LLC
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).
Emerging growth company  
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. 



Item 8.01    Other Events.
As previously reported, on March 5, 2025, two of the regulated subsidiaries of Global Water Resources, Inc. (the “Company”), Global Water – Santa Cruz Water Company, Inc. (“GW-Santa Cruz”) and Global Water – Palo Verde Utilities Company, Inc. (“GW-Palo Verde”), each filed a rate case application and related schedules with the Arizona Corporation Commission (the “ACC”) for, among other things, increased water and wastewater rates, respectively. On October 1, 2025, the ACC Utilities Division and the Residential Utility Consumer Office filed their respective initial written testimonies with the ACC in connection with the rate cases, with subsequent rebuttal, surrebuttal, and rejoinder testimonies having been filed by the parties.
On April 14, 2026, the parties filed a Notice of Settlement and Request to Modify Procedural Schedule. The parties have agreed to bifurcate the two rates cases pursuant to which (i) the GW-Santa Cruz rate case has settled; (ii) GW-Palo Verde will file a Motion to Withdraw its rate case application with the intent of refiling its rate case in 2027 using a 2026 test year; and (iii) GW-Palo Verde will seek authorization to increase the bill credit for customers related to the Company’s Southwest Plant that was originally approved in connection with Decision No. 79424 issued by the ACC. The Company expects the settlement agreement and the settlement testimony to be filed with the ACC on April 28, 2026 and May 22, 2026, respectively.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This Current Report on Form 8-K contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of federal securities laws and which reflect the Company’s expectations regarding future events. The forward-looking statements involve a number of assumptions, risks, uncertainties, and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements concerning the GW-Santa Cruz and GW-Palo Verde rate case filings, including the Company’s plans and expectations in connection with the contemplated settlement agreement to be entered into between the parties, as well as expected timing. These statements may be identified by the use of words such as “could,” “would,” “may,” “might,” “will,” “expect,” “likely,” “believe,” “continue,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “intend,” “plan,” “project” and other similar expressions to identify some forward-looking statements, but not all forward-looking statements include these words. All forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements, such as those described in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), including the Company’s most recently filed periodic reports on Form 10-K and Form 10-Q and subsequent filings with the SEC. Accordingly, investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which reflect management’s views as of the date of this Current Report on Form 8-K. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, except as required by law, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.



SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
 
  GLOBAL WATER RESOURCES, INC.
  
Date: April 15, 2026 /s/ Michael J. Liebman
  Michael J. Liebman
  Chief Financial Officer

FAQ

What did Global Water Resources (GWRS) announce about its Arizona rate cases?

Global Water Resources announced that its GW-Santa Cruz water rate case has been settled among the parties, while its GW-Palo Verde wastewater rate case will be withdrawn and is expected to be refiled in 2027 using a 2026 test year, subject to Arizona Corporation Commission processes.

How is the GW-Santa Cruz rate case being resolved for Global Water Resources (GWRS)?

The GW-Santa Cruz rate case has been settled among the parties, according to Global Water Resources. The settlement will be documented in a settlement agreement expected to be filed with the Arizona Corporation Commission on April 28, 2026, followed by settlement testimony on May 22, 2026.

What is happening with the GW-Palo Verde rate case for Global Water Resources (GWRS)?

Global Water Resources plans for GW-Palo Verde to file a motion to withdraw its current rate case application, with the intent to refile a new rate case in 2027 using a 2026 test year. This shifts comprehensive wastewater rate review to a later regulatory cycle.

What bill credit changes is GW-Palo Verde seeking for Global Water Resources (GWRS) customers?

GW-Palo Verde will seek authorization from the Arizona Corporation Commission to increase the bill credit for customers related to the company’s Southwest Plant. That bill credit was originally approved in connection with ACC Decision No. 79424 and could be revised if the new request is granted.

What are the next key dates in Global Water Resources’ (GWRS) rate case settlement process?

Global Water Resources expects to file the settlement agreement with the Arizona Corporation Commission on April 28, 2026. Settlement testimony is expected to be filed on May 22, 2026, providing additional detail on the agreed terms for the GW-Santa Cruz rate case resolution.

Does this Global Water Resources (GWRS) update include forward-looking statements?

Yes. The company notes that statements about the GW-Santa Cruz and GW-Palo Verde rate cases, the contemplated settlement agreement, and expected timing are forward-looking. These depend on assumptions and involve risks described in its most recent Form 10-K, Form 10-Q, and other SEC filings.

Filing Exhibits & Attachments

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