Exhibit 23.1

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S CONSENT


The Board of Directors and Stockholders
California Water Service Group

We consent to incorporation  by reference in the  registration  statements ( No.
333-103721  on Form  S-3 and No.  333-60810  on Form  S-8) of  California  Water
Service  Group of our  report  dated  January  27,  2004,  with  respect  to the
consolidated  balance sheets of California  Water Service Group and subsidiaries
as of December 31, 2003 and 2002,  and the related  consolidated  statements  of
income, common stockholders' equity and comprehensive income, and cash flows for
each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2003, which report
appears in or is  incorporated  by reference  in the  December 31, 2003,  annual
report on Form 10-K of California Water Service Group.

                                                     /s/ KPMG LLP


Mountain View, California
February 25, 2004