Southwest Water Co. said Wednesday that despite higher operating revenues, the water utility saw a wider net loss in its first quarter due to expenses related to an earlier restatement of earnings.

The Los Angeles company reported a first-quarter loss of $3.23 million (-3 cents a share) for the quarter ended March 31, compared with loss of $979,000 (-4 cents a share) a year earlier. (The per-share loss was less in the first quarter because there were many more shares outstanding.) Operating revenue rose 5.5 percent to $52.4 million, with the utilities segment revenue up 8 percent and Texas Utilities revenue rising 7 percent.

General corporate expenses rose 79 percent to $9.6 million, including $5.3 million associated with a restatement of historical financial results that was completed in July. The restatement of financial statements for 2006 and 2007 fiscal years and first two quarters of 2008 resulted in a total reduction in net income of $10.2 million. Because of the restatement, the first-quarter results were reported late.

“Texas Utilities and both of our contract service divisions experienced improved operating results in the first quarter, driven by revenue growth and operating efficiencies,” Chief Executive Mark Swatek said in a statement. Discounting one-time items, Southwest had adjusted net income from continuing operations of $649,000 (3 cents) compared with $68,000 (0 cents) a year ago.

Shares closed up 16 cents, or more than 3 percent, to $5.00 on the Nasdaq.