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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) (USD $) | 0 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended
--- | --- | ---
May 20, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2013 registrant | Dec. 31, 2012 | Dec. 31, 2011
Basis of Presentation: |  |  |  |
Number of registrants filing combined report |  | 2 |  |
Stock split ratio | 2 |  |  |
Property and Depreciation |  |  |  |
Net credit acquisition adjustment included in utility plant |  | $ 8,800,000 |  |
Amortization period of acquisition adjustment permitted by CPUC |  | 30 years |  |
Amortization of the acquisition adjustments |  | 427,000 | 374,000 |
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets |  |  |  |
Impairment of long-lived assets |  |  | 416,000 |
Goodwill |  |  |  |
Goodwill arose from acquisition of subcontractor's business |  | 1,100,000 |  |
Sales and Use Taxes: |  |  |  |
Non-income tax assessments accounted on a gross basis |  | 15,865,000 | 15,381,000 | 14,210,000
GSWC |  |  |  |
Related Party Transactions |  |  |  |
Balance outstanding |  | 500,000 | 0 |
Property and Depreciation |  |  |  |
Amortization of the acquisition adjustments |  |  |  | 374,000
Depreciation on transportation equipment |  | 877,000 | 1,800,000 | 2,500,000
Estimated useful lives of utility plant, as authorized by the CPUC |  |  |  |
Generation |  | 40 years |  |
Interest |  |  |  |
Amount recorded in AFUDC |  | 270,000 | 299,000 |
Weighted cost of capital (as a percent) |  | 8.64% |  |
Alternative-Revenue Programs |  |  |  |
Number of months within which expected additional revenue collection is recorded |  | 24 months |  |
Advances for Construction and Contributions in aid of Constructions |  |  |  |
Period for refund of advances for construction |  | 40 years |  |
Fair Value of Financial Instruments |  |  |  |
Long-term debt-GSWC |  | 412,590,000 |  |
Sales and Use Taxes: |  |  |  |
Franchise fees billed to customers and recorded as operating revenue |  | 3,600,000 | 3,400,000 | 3,200,000
Non-income tax assessments accounted on a gross basis |  | 14,072,000 | 13,835,000 | 12,851,000
GSWC | Carrying Amount |  |  |  |
Fair Value of Financial Instruments |  |  |  |
Long-term debt-GSWC |  | 332,377,000 | 335,791,000 |
GSWC | Fair Value |  |  |  |
Fair Value of Financial Instruments |  |  |  |
Long-term debt-GSWC |  |  | 456,792,000 |
GSWC | Fair Value | Level 2 |  |  |  |
Fair Value of Financial Instruments |  |  |  |
Long-term debt-GSWC |  | 412,590,000 |  |
GSWC | Minimum |  |  |  |
Estimated useful lives of utility plant, as authorized by the CPUC |  |  |  |
Source of water supply |  | 30 years |  |
Pumping |  | 25 years |  |
Water treatment |  | 20 years |  |
Transmission and distribution |  | 25 years |  |
Other plant |  | 7 years |  |
GSWC | Maximum |  |  |  |
Estimated useful lives of utility plant, as authorized by the CPUC |  |  |  |
Source of water supply |  | 50 years |  |
Pumping |  | 40 years |  |
Water treatment |  | 35 years |  |
Transmission and distribution |  | 55 years |  |
Other plant |  | 40 years |  |
GSWC | Purchase, production, distribution and sale of water |  |  |  |
Nature of Operations: |  |  |  |
Number of customers served |  | 257,000 |  |
Property and Depreciation |  |  |  |
Aggregate composite rate for depreciation (as a percent) |  | 3.40% | 3.70% | 3.80%
GSWC | Electricity distribution |  |  |  |
Nature of Operations: |  |  |  |
Number of customers served |  | 24,000 |  |
Property and Depreciation |  |  |  |
Aggregate composite rate for depreciation (as a percent) |  | 3.40% | 3.60% | 3.70%
ASUS |  |  |  |
Sales and Use Taxes: |  |  |  |
Non-income tax assessments accounted on a gross basis |  | 864,000 | 717,000 | 718,000
ASUS | Contracts |  |  |  |
Nature of Operations: |  |  |  |
Period of fixed price contracts to operate and maintain the water and/or wastewater systems at various military bases |  | 50 years |  |
AWR |  |  |  |
Related Party Transactions |  |  |  |
Maximum borrowing capacity on line of credit |  | 100,000,000.0 |  |
AWR | Syndicated Credit Facility |  |  |  |
Related Party Transactions |  |  |  |
Maximum borrowing capacity on line of credit |  | 100,000,000.0 |  |
AWR | Promissory note |  |  |  |
Related Party Transactions |  |  |  |
Maximum borrowing capacity on debt instrument |  | 20,000,000.0 |  |
Notes Receivable | AWR | Promissory note |  |  |  |
Related Party Transactions |  |  |  |
Balance outstanding |  | $ 500,000 |  |
Commercial and residential water customers | GSWC |  |  |  |
Nature of Operations: |  |  |  |
Percentage of total revenues |  | 90.00% | 90.00% | 90.00%

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