PHOENIX -- Global Water Resources, Inc. (NASDAQ: GWRS), (TSX: GWR), a pure-play water resource management company, has entered into definitive agreements to acquire two small water utility companies, Twin Hawks Utility, Inc. and Rincon Water Company. Twin Hawks is located in Pinal County and Rincon is in Pima County. The acquisitions will add approximately 93 water connections.
“We welcome Twin Hawks and Rincon to our expanding portfolio of water utilities in Arizona,” stated Global Water Resources president and CEO, Ron Fleming. “We plan to implement our industry-leading approach to utility consolidation and operations, which promotes investment, compliance and safety, and better water usage practices for the benefit of all stakeholders.”
Twin Hawks is located near an existing Global Water operational hub, facilitating an easy integration into Global Water’s platform. Twin Hawks provides water service to an airpark in Pinal County. Over 90% of Global Water’s current connections are in Pinal County.
Twin Hawks and Rincon represents the company’s fifth and sixth acquisition since 2018. They reflect the company’s renewed focus on acquisitions, given the significant opportunities and the benefits of consolidation for Arizona. The Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC) website lists more than 300 investor-owned water and wastewater utilities operating in the state.
Rincon continues Global Water’s expansion in Pima County, the same county where Global Water acquired four water utilities last year. Rincon has encountered regulatory challenges that require infrastructure evaluations and enhancements. Global Water possesses the technical expertise and state-of-the-art integrated technology solutions which can ensure regulatory compliance and that local communities have access to safe and environmentally sustainable water services.
“The close proximity of these facilities to our existing service area makes them a logical extension of our utility footprint,” noted Chris Krygier, chief strategy officer for Global Water Resources. “We see them both as low-risk tuck-in acquisitions, and we are in discussions with a number of additional utilities that also fit this profile. Over the course of the next year, we will continue to seek out additional acquisitive opportunities that are synergistic to our growing portfolio of water utility companies and our existing regional footprints, which would be beneficial for the people and communities we serve.”
The company anticipates filing for regulatory approval of these acquisitions in March 2021, with approval by the second half of the year.
