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Employee Benefit Plans (Details 3) (USD $) | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2012
Employee benefit plans |  |  |  |
Defined Contribution Plan, Employer Discretionary Contribution Amount | $ 568,000 us-gaap_DefinedContributionPlanEmployerDiscretionaryContributionAmount |  | $ 394,000 us-gaap_DefinedContributionPlanEmployerDiscretionaryContributionAmount | $ 254,000 us-gaap_DefinedContributionPlanEmployerDiscretionaryContributionAmount
Estimated future benefit payments |  |  |  |
Increase (Decrease) in Pension and Postretirement Obligations | (2,356,000)us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInPensionAndPostretirementObligations |  | 4,396,000 us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInPensionAndPostretirementObligations | 5,954,000 us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInPensionAndPostretirementObligations
Healthcare Cost Trend Rate |  |  |  |
Initial health care cost for employees under age of 65 (as a percent) | 6.80%awr_DefinedBenefitPlanInitialHealthCareCostTrendRateForEmployeesUnderAgeSixtyFive |  | 7.80%awr_DefinedBenefitPlanInitialHealthCareCostTrendRateForEmployeesUnderAgeSixtyFive | 8.00%awr_DefinedBenefitPlanInitialHealthCareCostTrendRateForEmployeesUnderAgeSixtyFive
Ultimate health care cost for employees under age of 65 (as a percent) | 5.60%awr_DefinedBenefitPlanUltimateHealthCareCostTrendRateForEmployeesUnderAgeSixtyFive |  | 6.30%awr_DefinedBenefitPlanUltimateHealthCareCostTrendRateForEmployeesUnderAgeSixtyFive | 7.20%awr_DefinedBenefitPlanUltimateHealthCareCostTrendRateForEmployeesUnderAgeSixtyFive
Period within which rate reaches ultimate trend rate | 10 years |  | 10 years | 10 years
Initial Health care cost for employees of age 65 and over (as a percent) | 7.00%awr_DefinedBenefitPlanInitialHealthCareCostTrendRateForEmployeesOfAgeSixtyFiveAndOver |  | 7.00%awr_DefinedBenefitPlanInitialHealthCareCostTrendRateForEmployeesOfAgeSixtyFiveAndOver | 7.00%awr_DefinedBenefitPlanInitialHealthCareCostTrendRateForEmployeesOfAgeSixtyFiveAndOver
Ultimate health care cost for employees of age 65 and over (as a percent) | 5.10%awr_DefinedBenefitPlanUltimateHealthCareCostTrendRateForEmployeesOfAgeSixtyFiveAndOver |  | 5.70%awr_DefinedBenefitPlanUltimateHealthCareCostTrendRateForEmployeesOfAgeSixtyFiveAndOver | 5.80%awr_DefinedBenefitPlanUltimateHealthCareCostTrendRateForEmployeesOfAgeSixtyFiveAndOver
Effects of one-percentage-point change in assumed health care cost trend rates |  |  |  |
Effect on total of service and interest cost components -1 Percentage Point Increase | 80,000 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanEffectOfOnePercentagePointIncreaseOnServiceAndInterestCostComponents |  |  |
Effect on total of service and interest cost components -1 Percentage Point Decrease | (70,000)us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanEffectOfOnePercentagePointDecreaseOnServiceAndInterestCostComponents1 |  |  |
Effect on post-retirement benefit obligation -1 Percentage Point Increase | 1,438,000 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanEffectOfOnePercentagePointIncreaseOnAccumulatedPostretirementBenefitObligation |  |  |
Effect on post-retirement benefit obligation -1 Percentage Point Decrease | (1,232,000)us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanEffectOfOnePercentagePointDecreaseOnAccumulatedPostretirementBenefitObligation1 |  |  |
Defined contribution plan |  |  |  |
Employer's contribution | 1,900,000 us-gaap_DefinedContributionPlanCostRecognized |  |  |
Fixed income securities | Maximum |  |  |  |
Employer's contribution and fair value of plan assets |  |  |  |
Maturity period of investments | 20 years |  |  |
Fixed income securities | Minimum |  |  |  |
Employer's contribution and fair value of plan assets |  |  |  |
Maturity period of investments | 1 year |  |  |
GSWC |  |  |  |
Estimated future benefit payments |  |  |  |
Increase (Decrease) in Pension and Postretirement Obligations | (2,356,000)us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInPensionAndPostretirementObligations / dei_LegalEntityAxis = awr_GoldenStateWaterCompanyMember |  | 4,396,000 us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInPensionAndPostretirementObligations / dei_LegalEntityAxis = awr_GoldenStateWaterCompanyMember | 5,954,000 us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInPensionAndPostretirementObligations / dei_LegalEntityAxis = awr_GoldenStateWaterCompanyMember
Pension Benefits |  |  |  |
Regulatory Adjustment: |  |  |  |
Amount of under-collection included in the two-way pension balancing account | (1,622,000)us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOtherRegulatoryAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember |  | 1,920,000 us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOtherRegulatoryAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember | 2,305,000 us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOtherRegulatoryAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
Actual and Target Asset Allocations |  |  |  |
Actual Asset Allocations, Total (as a percent) | 100.00%us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanWeightedAverageAssetAllocations / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember |  | 100.00%us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanWeightedAverageAssetAllocations / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember |
Target Asset Allocation for 2013, Total (as a percent) | 100.00%us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanTargetPlanAssetAllocations / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember |  |  |
Employer's contribution and fair value of plan assets |  |  |  |
Total investments measured at fair value | 140,561,000 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember |  | 127,534,000 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember | 107,638,000 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
Employer contributions | 8,209,000 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanContributionsByEmployer / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember |  | 6,556,000 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanContributionsByEmployer / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember |
Expected employer's contribution in 2013 | 6,000,000 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansEstimatedFutureEmployerContributionsInNextFiscalYear / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember |  |  |
Estimated future benefit payments |  |  |  |
2014 | 5,468,000 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedFutureBenefitPaymentsNextTwelveMonths / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember |  |  |
2015 | 5,938,000 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedFutureBenefitPaymentsYearTwo / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember |  |  |
2016 | 6,489,000 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedFutureBenefitPaymentsYearThree / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember |  |  |
2017 | 7,030,000 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedFutureBenefitPaymentsYearFour / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember |  |  |
2018 | 7,569,000 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedFutureBenefitPaymentsYearFive / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember |  |  |
Thereafter | 48,446,000 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedFutureBenefitPaymentsFiveFiscalYearsThereafter / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember |  |  |
Total | 80,940,000 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedFutureBenefitPaymentsRemainderOfFiscalYear / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember |  |  |
Expected long-term return on plan assets (as a percentage) | 7.00%us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingNetPeriodicBenefitCostExpectedLongTermReturnOnAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember |  | 7.00%us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingNetPeriodicBenefitCostExpectedLongTermReturnOnAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember | 7.00%us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingNetPeriodicBenefitCostExpectedLongTermReturnOnAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
Pension Benefits | Level 1 |  |  |  |
Employer's contribution and fair value of plan assets |  |  |  |
Total investments measured at fair value | 140,561,000 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member |  | 127,534,000 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member |
Pension Benefits | Level 2 |  |  |  |
Employer's contribution and fair value of plan assets |  |  |  |
Total investments measured at fair value | 0 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member |  | 0 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member |
Pension Benefits | Level 3 |  |  |  |
Employer's contribution and fair value of plan assets |  |  |  |
Total investments measured at fair value | 0 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member |  | 0 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member |
Pension Benefits | Total |  |  |  |
Employer's contribution and fair value of plan assets |  |  |  |
Total investments measured at fair value | 140,561,000 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis = us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember |  | 127,534,000 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis = us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember |
Pension Benefits | Cash equivalents |  |  |  |
Actual and Target Asset Allocations |  |  |  |
Actual Asset Allocations, Total (as a percent) | 0.00%us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanWeightedAverageAssetAllocations / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsMember / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember |  | 2.00%us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanWeightedAverageAssetAllocations / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsMember / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember |
Pension Benefits | Cash equivalents | Level 1 |  |  |  |
Employer's contribution and fair value of plan assets |  |  |  |
Total investments measured at fair value | 497,000 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsMember / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member |  | 2,096,000 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsMember / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member |
Pension Benefits | Cash equivalents | Level 2 |  |  |  |
Employer's contribution and fair value of plan assets |  |  |  |
Total investments measured at fair value | 0 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsMember / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member |  | 0 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsMember / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member |
Pension Benefits | Cash equivalents | Level 3 |  |  |  |
Employer's contribution and fair value of plan assets |  |  |  |
Total investments measured at fair value | 0 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsMember / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member |  | 0 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsMember / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member |
Pension Benefits | Cash equivalents | Total |  |  |  |
Employer's contribution and fair value of plan assets |  |  |  |
Total investments measured at fair value | 497,000 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsMember / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis = us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember |  | 2,096,000 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsMember / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis = us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember |
Pension Benefits | Fixed income securities | Level 1 |  |  |  |
Employer's contribution and fair value of plan assets |  |  |  |
Total investments measured at fair value | 54,865,000 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = us-gaap_FixedIncomeFundsMember / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member |  | 47,627,000 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = us-gaap_FixedIncomeFundsMember / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member |
Pension Benefits | Fixed income securities | Level 2 |  |  |  |
Employer's contribution and fair value of plan assets |  |  |  |
Total investments measured at fair value | 0 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = us-gaap_FixedIncomeFundsMember / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member |  | 0 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = us-gaap_FixedIncomeFundsMember / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member |
Pension Benefits | Fixed income securities | Level 3 |  |  |  |
Employer's contribution and fair value of plan assets |  |  |  |
Total investments measured at fair value | 0 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = us-gaap_FixedIncomeFundsMember / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member |  | 0 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = us-gaap_FixedIncomeFundsMember / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member |
Pension Benefits | Fixed income securities | Total |  |  |  |
Employer's contribution and fair value of plan assets |  |  |  |
Total investments measured at fair value | 54,865,000 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = us-gaap_FixedIncomeFundsMember / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis = us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember |  | 47,627,000 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = us-gaap_FixedIncomeFundsMember / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis = us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember |
Pension Benefits | Equity securities |  |  |  |
Actual and Target Asset Allocations |  |  |  |
Actual Asset Allocations, Total (as a percent) | 61.00%us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanWeightedAverageAssetAllocations / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesMember / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember |  | 61.00%us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanWeightedAverageAssetAllocations / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesMember / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember |
Target Asset Allocation for 2013, Total (as a percent) | 60.00%us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanTargetPlanAssetAllocations / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesMember / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember |  |  |
Pension Benefits | Equity securities | Level 1 |  |  |  |
Employer's contribution and fair value of plan assets |  |  |  |
Total investments measured at fair value | 85,199,000 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesMember / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member |  | 77,811,000 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesMember / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member |
Pension Benefits | Equity securities | Level 2 |  |  |  |
Employer's contribution and fair value of plan assets |  |  |  |
Total investments measured at fair value | 0 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesMember / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member |  | 0 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesMember / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member |
Pension Benefits | Equity securities | Level 3 |  |  |  |
Employer's contribution and fair value of plan assets |  |  |  |
Total investments measured at fair value | 0 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesMember / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member |  | 0 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesMember / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member |
Pension Benefits | Equity securities | Total |  |  |  |
Employer's contribution and fair value of plan assets |  |  |  |
Total investments measured at fair value | 85,199,000 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesMember / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis = us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember |  | 77,811,000 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesMember / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis = us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember |
Pension Benefits | U.S. small cap stocks | Level 1 |  |  |  |
Employer's contribution and fair value of plan assets |  |  |  |
Total investments measured at fair value | 7,546,000 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = awr_USSmallCapStocksMember / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member |  | 6,576,000 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = awr_USSmallCapStocksMember / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member |
Pension Benefits | U.S. small cap stocks | Level 2 |  |  |  |
Employer's contribution and fair value of plan assets |  |  |  |
Total investments measured at fair value | 0 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = awr_USSmallCapStocksMember / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member |  | 0 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = awr_USSmallCapStocksMember / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member |
Pension Benefits | U.S. small cap stocks | Level 3 |  |  |  |
Employer's contribution and fair value of plan assets |  |  |  |
Total investments measured at fair value | 0 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = awr_USSmallCapStocksMember / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member |  | 0 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = awr_USSmallCapStocksMember / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member |
Pension Benefits | U.S. small cap stocks | Total |  |  |  |
Employer's contribution and fair value of plan assets |  |  |  |
Total investments measured at fair value | 7,546,000 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = awr_USSmallCapStocksMember / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis = us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember |  | 6,576,000 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = awr_USSmallCapStocksMember / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis = us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember |
Pension Benefits | U.S. mid cap stocks | Level 1 |  |  |  |
Employer's contribution and fair value of plan assets |  |  |  |
Total investments measured at fair value | 14,779,000 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = awr_USMidCapStocksMember / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member |  | 13,119,000 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = awr_USMidCapStocksMember / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member |
Pension Benefits | U.S. mid cap stocks | Level 2 |  |  |  |
Employer's contribution and fair value of plan assets |  |  |  |
Total investments measured at fair value | 0 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = awr_USMidCapStocksMember / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member |  | 0 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = awr_USMidCapStocksMember / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member |
Pension Benefits | U.S. mid cap stocks | Level 3 |  |  |  |
Employer's contribution and fair value of plan assets |  |  |  |
Total investments measured at fair value | 0 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = awr_USMidCapStocksMember / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member |  | 0 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = awr_USMidCapStocksMember / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member |
Pension Benefits | U.S. mid cap stocks | Total |  |  |  |
Employer's contribution and fair value of plan assets |  |  |  |
Total investments measured at fair value | 14,779,000 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = awr_USMidCapStocksMember / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis = us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember |  | 13,119,000 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = awr_USMidCapStocksMember / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis = us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember |
Pension Benefits | U.S. large cap stocks | Level 1 |  |  |  |
Employer's contribution and fair value of plan assets |  |  |  |
Total investments measured at fair value | 42,886,000 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = awr_USLargeCapStocksMember / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member |  | 39,280,000 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = awr_USLargeCapStocksMember / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member |
Pension Benefits | U.S. large cap stocks | Level 2 |  |  |  |
Employer's contribution and fair value of plan assets |  |  |  |
Total investments measured at fair value | 0 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = awr_USLargeCapStocksMember / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member |  | 0 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = awr_USLargeCapStocksMember / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member |
Pension Benefits | U.S. large cap stocks | Level 3 |  |  |  |
Employer's contribution and fair value of plan assets |  |  |  |
Total investments measured at fair value | 0 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = awr_USLargeCapStocksMember / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member |  | 0 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = awr_USLargeCapStocksMember / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member |
Pension Benefits | U.S. large cap stocks | Total |  |  |  |
Employer's contribution and fair value of plan assets |  |  |  |
Total investments measured at fair value | 42,886,000 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = awr_USLargeCapStocksMember / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis = us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember |  | 39,280,000 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = awr_USLargeCapStocksMember / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis = us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember |
Pension Benefits | International funds | Level 1 |  |  |  |
Employer's contribution and fair value of plan assets |  |  |  |
Total investments measured at fair value | 11,318,000 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = awr_InternationalFundsMember / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member |  | 12,501,000 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = awr_InternationalFundsMember / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member |
Pension Benefits | International funds | Level 2 |  |  |  |
Employer's contribution and fair value of plan assets |  |  |  |
Total investments measured at fair value | 0 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = awr_InternationalFundsMember / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member |  | 0 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = awr_InternationalFundsMember / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member |
Pension Benefits | International funds | Level 3 |  |  |  |
Employer's contribution and fair value of plan assets |  |  |  |
Total investments measured at fair value | 0 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = awr_InternationalFundsMember / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member |  | 0 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = awr_InternationalFundsMember / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member |
Pension Benefits | International funds | Total |  |  |  |
Employer's contribution and fair value of plan assets |  |  |  |
Total investments measured at fair value | 11,318,000 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = awr_InternationalFundsMember / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis = us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember |  | 12,501,000 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = awr_InternationalFundsMember / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis = us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember |
Pension Benefits | Real estate funds | Level 1 |  |  |  |
Employer's contribution and fair value of plan assets |  |  |  |
Total investments measured at fair value | 8,670,000 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = us-gaap_RealEstateMember / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member |  | 6,335,000 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = us-gaap_RealEstateMember / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member |
Pension Benefits | Real estate funds | Level 2 |  |  |  |
Employer's contribution and fair value of plan assets |  |  |  |
Total investments measured at fair value | 0 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = us-gaap_RealEstateMember / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member |  | 0 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = us-gaap_RealEstateMember / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member |
Pension Benefits | Real estate funds | Level 3 |  |  |  |
Employer's contribution and fair value of plan assets |  |  |  |
Total investments measured at fair value | 0 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = us-gaap_RealEstateMember / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member |  | 0 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = us-gaap_RealEstateMember / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member |
Pension Benefits | Real estate funds | Total |  |  |  |
Employer's contribution and fair value of plan assets |  |  |  |
Total investments measured at fair value | 8,670,000 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = us-gaap_RealEstateMember / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis = us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember |  | 6,335,000 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = us-gaap_RealEstateMember / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis = us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember |
Pension Benefits | Debt securities |  |  |  |
Actual and Target Asset Allocations |  |  |  |
Actual Asset Allocations, Total (as a percent) | 39.00%us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanWeightedAverageAssetAllocations / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember |  | 37.00%us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanWeightedAverageAssetAllocations / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember |
Target Asset Allocation for 2013, Total (as a percent) | 40.00%us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanTargetPlanAssetAllocations / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember |  |  |
Pension Benefits | GSWC |  |  |  |
Regulatory Adjustment: |  |  |  |
Amount of under-collection included in the two-way pension balancing account | 1,600,000 us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOtherRegulatoryAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = awr_GoldenStateWaterCompanyMember |  | (1,900,000)us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOtherRegulatoryAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = awr_GoldenStateWaterCompanyMember | (2,300,000)us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOtherRegulatoryAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = awr_GoldenStateWaterCompanyMember
Post-Retirement Medical Plans |  |  |  |
Regulatory Adjustment: |  |  |  |
Amount of under-collection included in the two-way pension balancing account | 0 us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOtherRegulatoryAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember |  | 0 us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOtherRegulatoryAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember | 0 us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOtherRegulatoryAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
Actual and Target Asset Allocations |  |  |  |
Actual Asset Allocations, Total (as a percent) | 100.00%us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanWeightedAverageAssetAllocations / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember |  | 100.00%us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanWeightedAverageAssetAllocations / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember |
Target Asset Allocation for 2013, Total (as a percent) | 100.00%us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanTargetPlanAssetAllocations / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember |  |  |
Employer's contribution and fair value of plan assets |  |  |  |
Total investments measured at fair value | 10,723,000 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember |  | 9,873,000 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember | 8,359,000 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
Employer contributions | 241,000 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanContributionsByEmployer / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember |  | 608,000 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanContributionsByEmployer / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember |
Estimated future benefit payments |  |  |  |
2014 | 566,000 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedFutureBenefitPaymentsNextTwelveMonths / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember |  |  |
2015 | 601,000 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedFutureBenefitPaymentsYearTwo / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember |  |  |
2016 | 680,000 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedFutureBenefitPaymentsYearThree / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember |  |  |
2017 | 774,000 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedFutureBenefitPaymentsYearFour / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember |  |  |
2018 | 866,000 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedFutureBenefitPaymentsYearFive / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember |  |  |
Thereafter | 5,247,000 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedFutureBenefitPaymentsFiveFiscalYearsThereafter / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember |  |  |
Total | 8,734,000 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedFutureBenefitPaymentsRemainderOfFiscalYear / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember |  |  |
Post-Retirement Medical Plans | Level 1 |  |  |  |
Employer's contribution and fair value of plan assets |  |  |  |
Total investments measured at fair value | 10,723,000 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member |  | 9,873,000 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member |
Post-Retirement Medical Plans | Level 2 |  |  |  |
Employer's contribution and fair value of plan assets |  |  |  |
Total investments measured at fair value | 0 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member |  | 0 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member |
Post-Retirement Medical Plans | Level 3 |  |  |  |
Employer's contribution and fair value of plan assets |  |  |  |
Total investments measured at fair value | 0 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member |  | 0 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member |
Post-Retirement Medical Plans | Total |  |  |  |
Employer's contribution and fair value of plan assets |  |  |  |
Total investments measured at fair value | 10,723,000 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis = us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember |  | 9,873,000 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis = us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember |
Post-Retirement Medical Plans | Cash equivalents |  |  |  |
Actual and Target Asset Allocations |  |  |  |
Actual Asset Allocations, Total (as a percent) | 2.00%us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanWeightedAverageAssetAllocations / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsMember / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember |  | 1.00%us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanWeightedAverageAssetAllocations / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsMember / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember |
Post-Retirement Medical Plans | Cash equivalents | Level 1 |  |  |  |
Employer's contribution and fair value of plan assets |  |  |  |
Total investments measured at fair value | 185,000 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsMember / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member |  | 142,000 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsMember / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member |
Post-Retirement Medical Plans | Cash equivalents | Level 2 |  |  |  |
Employer's contribution and fair value of plan assets |  |  |  |
Total investments measured at fair value | 0 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsMember / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member |  | 0 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsMember / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member |
Post-Retirement Medical Plans | Cash equivalents | Level 3 |  |  |  |
Employer's contribution and fair value of plan assets |  |  |  |
Total investments measured at fair value | 0 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsMember / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member |  | 0 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsMember / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member |
Post-Retirement Medical Plans | Cash equivalents | Total |  |  |  |
Employer's contribution and fair value of plan assets |  |  |  |
Total investments measured at fair value | 185,000 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsMember / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis = us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember |  | 142,000 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsMember / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis = us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember |
Post-Retirement Medical Plans | Fixed income securities | Level 1 |  |  |  |
Employer's contribution and fair value of plan assets |  |  |  |
Total investments measured at fair value | 4,105,000 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = us-gaap_FixedIncomeFundsMember / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member |  | 3,731,000 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = us-gaap_FixedIncomeFundsMember / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member |
Post-Retirement Medical Plans | Fixed income securities | Level 2 |  |  |  |
Employer's contribution and fair value of plan assets |  |  |  |
Total investments measured at fair value | 0 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = us-gaap_FixedIncomeFundsMember / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member |  | 0 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = us-gaap_FixedIncomeFundsMember / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member |
Post-Retirement Medical Plans | Fixed income securities | Level 3 |  |  |  |
Employer's contribution and fair value of plan assets |  |  |  |
Total investments measured at fair value | 0 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = us-gaap_FixedIncomeFundsMember / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member |  | 0 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = us-gaap_FixedIncomeFundsMember / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member |
Post-Retirement Medical Plans | Fixed income securities | Total |  |  |  |
Employer's contribution and fair value of plan assets |  |  |  |
Total investments measured at fair value | 4,105,000 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = us-gaap_FixedIncomeFundsMember / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis = us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember |  | 3,731,000 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = us-gaap_FixedIncomeFundsMember / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis = us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember |
Post-Retirement Medical Plans | Equity securities |  |  |  |
Actual and Target Asset Allocations |  |  |  |
Actual Asset Allocations, Total (as a percent) | 60.00%us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanWeightedAverageAssetAllocations / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesMember / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember |  | 61.00%us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanWeightedAverageAssetAllocations / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesMember / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember |
Target Asset Allocation for 2013, Total (as a percent) | 100.00%us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanTargetPlanAssetAllocations / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesMember / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember |  |  |
Post-Retirement Medical Plans | U.S. large cap stocks | Level 1 |  |  |  |
Employer's contribution and fair value of plan assets |  |  |  |
Total investments measured at fair value | 6,433,000 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = awr_USLargeCapStocksMember / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member |  | 6,000,000 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = awr_USLargeCapStocksMember / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member |
Post-Retirement Medical Plans | U.S. large cap stocks | Level 2 |  |  |  |
Employer's contribution and fair value of plan assets |  |  |  |
Total investments measured at fair value | 0 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = awr_USLargeCapStocksMember / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member |  | 0 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = awr_USLargeCapStocksMember / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member |
Post-Retirement Medical Plans | U.S. large cap stocks | Level 3 |  |  |  |
Employer's contribution and fair value of plan assets |  |  |  |
Total investments measured at fair value | 0 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = awr_USLargeCapStocksMember / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member |  | 0 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = awr_USLargeCapStocksMember / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member |
Post-Retirement Medical Plans | U.S. large cap stocks | Total |  |  |  |
Employer's contribution and fair value of plan assets |  |  |  |
Total investments measured at fair value | 6,433,000 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = awr_USLargeCapStocksMember / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis = us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember |  | 6,000,000 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = awr_USLargeCapStocksMember / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis = us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember |
Post-Retirement Medical Plans | Debt securities |  |  |  |
Actual and Target Asset Allocations |  |  |  |
Actual Asset Allocations, Total (as a percent) | 38.00%us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanWeightedAverageAssetAllocations / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember |  | 38.00%us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanWeightedAverageAssetAllocations / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember |
Target Asset Allocation for 2013, Total (as a percent) | 40.00%us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanTargetPlanAssetAllocations / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember |  |  |
Union plan |  |  |  |
Estimated future benefit payments |  |  |  |
Expected long-term return on plan assets (as a percentage) | 7.00%us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingNetPeriodicBenefitCostExpectedLongTermReturnOnAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = awr_OtherPostretirementBenefitUnionPlanDefinedBenefitMember | [1] | 7.00%us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingNetPeriodicBenefitCostExpectedLongTermReturnOnAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = awr_OtherPostretirementBenefitUnionPlanDefinedBenefitMember | 7.00%us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingNetPeriodicBenefitCostExpectedLongTermReturnOnAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = awr_OtherPostretirementBenefitUnionPlanDefinedBenefitMember
Non-union plan |  |  |  |
Estimated future benefit payments |  |  |  |
Expected long-term return on plan assets (as a percentage) | 4.20%us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingNetPeriodicBenefitCostExpectedLongTermReturnOnAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = awr_OtherPostretirementBenefitNonunionPlanDefinedBenefitMember | [1] | 4.20%us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingNetPeriodicBenefitCostExpectedLongTermReturnOnAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = awr_OtherPostretirementBenefitNonunionPlanDefinedBenefitMember | 4.20%us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingNetPeriodicBenefitCostExpectedLongTermReturnOnAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = awr_OtherPostretirementBenefitNonunionPlanDefinedBenefitMember
SERP |  |  |  |
Employer's contribution and fair value of plan assets |  |  |  |
Total investments measured at fair value | 0 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_SupplementalEmployeeRetirementPlanDefinedBenefitMember |  | 0 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_SupplementalEmployeeRetirementPlanDefinedBenefitMember |
Estimated future benefit payments |  |  |  |
2014 | 379,000 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedFutureBenefitPaymentsNextTwelveMonths / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_SupplementalEmployeeRetirementPlanDefinedBenefitMember |  |  |
2015 | 391,000 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedFutureBenefitPaymentsYearTwo / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_SupplementalEmployeeRetirementPlanDefinedBenefitMember |  |  |
2016 | 472,000 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedFutureBenefitPaymentsYearThree / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_SupplementalEmployeeRetirementPlanDefinedBenefitMember |  |  |
2017 | 614,000 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedFutureBenefitPaymentsYearFour / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_SupplementalEmployeeRetirementPlanDefinedBenefitMember |  |  |
2018 | 712,000 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedFutureBenefitPaymentsYearFive / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_SupplementalEmployeeRetirementPlanDefinedBenefitMember |  |  |
Thereafter | 5,402,000 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedFutureBenefitPaymentsFiveFiscalYearsThereafter / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_SupplementalEmployeeRetirementPlanDefinedBenefitMember |  |  |
Total | 7,970,000 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedFutureBenefitPaymentsRemainderOfFiscalYear / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_SupplementalEmployeeRetirementPlanDefinedBenefitMember |  |  |
Balance in Rabbi Trust |  |  |  |
Balance in Rabbi Trust | 8,800,000 awr_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssetsSubjectToClaimsOfCreditors / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_SupplementalEmployeeRetirementPlanDefinedBenefitMember |  |  |
SERP | Rabbi Trust | Level 1 |  |  |  |
Employer's contribution and fair value of plan assets |  |  |  |
Total investments measured at fair value | 8,765,000 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_SupplementalEmployeeRetirementPlanDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member / us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis = us-gaap_TrustForBenefitOfEmployeesMember |  | 6,816,000 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_SupplementalEmployeeRetirementPlanDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member / us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis = us-gaap_TrustForBenefitOfEmployeesMember |
SERP | Rabbi Trust | Level 2 |  |  |  |
Employer's contribution and fair value of plan assets |  |  |  |
Total investments measured at fair value | 0 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_SupplementalEmployeeRetirementPlanDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member / us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis = us-gaap_TrustForBenefitOfEmployeesMember |  | 0 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_SupplementalEmployeeRetirementPlanDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member / us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis = us-gaap_TrustForBenefitOfEmployeesMember |
SERP | Rabbi Trust | Level 3 |  |  |  |
Employer's contribution and fair value of plan assets |  |  |  |
Total investments measured at fair value | 0 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_SupplementalEmployeeRetirementPlanDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member / us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis = us-gaap_TrustForBenefitOfEmployeesMember |  | 0 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_SupplementalEmployeeRetirementPlanDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member / us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis = us-gaap_TrustForBenefitOfEmployeesMember |
SERP | Rabbi Trust | Total |  |  |  |
Employer's contribution and fair value of plan assets |  |  |  |
Total investments measured at fair value | 8,765,000 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_SupplementalEmployeeRetirementPlanDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis = us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember / us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis = us-gaap_TrustForBenefitOfEmployeesMember |  | 6,816,000 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_SupplementalEmployeeRetirementPlanDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis = us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember / us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis = us-gaap_TrustForBenefitOfEmployeesMember |
SERP | Rabbi Trust | Cash equivalents | Level 1 |  |  |  |
Employer's contribution and fair value of plan assets |  |  |  |
Total investments measured at fair value | 29,000 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsMember / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_SupplementalEmployeeRetirementPlanDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member / us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis = us-gaap_TrustForBenefitOfEmployeesMember |  | 27,000 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsMember / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_SupplementalEmployeeRetirementPlanDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member / us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis = us-gaap_TrustForBenefitOfEmployeesMember |
SERP | Rabbi Trust | Cash equivalents | Level 2 |  |  |  |
Employer's contribution and fair value of plan assets |  |  |  |
Total investments measured at fair value | 0 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsMember / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_SupplementalEmployeeRetirementPlanDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member / us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis = us-gaap_TrustForBenefitOfEmployeesMember |  | 0 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsMember / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_SupplementalEmployeeRetirementPlanDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member / us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis = us-gaap_TrustForBenefitOfEmployeesMember |
SERP | Rabbi Trust | Cash equivalents | Level 3 |  |  |  |
Employer's contribution and fair value of plan assets |  |  |  |
Total investments measured at fair value | 0 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsMember / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_SupplementalEmployeeRetirementPlanDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member / us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis = us-gaap_TrustForBenefitOfEmployeesMember |  | 0 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsMember / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_SupplementalEmployeeRetirementPlanDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member / us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis = us-gaap_TrustForBenefitOfEmployeesMember |
SERP | Rabbi Trust | Cash equivalents | Total |  |  |  |
Employer's contribution and fair value of plan assets |  |  |  |
Total investments measured at fair value | 29,000 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsMember / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_SupplementalEmployeeRetirementPlanDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis = us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember / us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis = us-gaap_TrustForBenefitOfEmployeesMember |  | 27,000 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsMember / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_SupplementalEmployeeRetirementPlanDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis = us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember / us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis = us-gaap_TrustForBenefitOfEmployeesMember |
SERP | Rabbi Trust | Fixed income securities | Level 1 |  |  |  |
Employer's contribution and fair value of plan assets |  |  |  |
Total investments measured at fair value | 3,454,000 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = us-gaap_FixedIncomeFundsMember / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_SupplementalEmployeeRetirementPlanDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member / us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis = us-gaap_TrustForBenefitOfEmployeesMember |  | 2,587,000 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = us-gaap_FixedIncomeFundsMember / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_SupplementalEmployeeRetirementPlanDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member / us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis = us-gaap_TrustForBenefitOfEmployeesMember |
SERP | Rabbi Trust | Fixed income securities | Level 2 |  |  |  |
Employer's contribution and fair value of plan assets |  |  |  |
Total investments measured at fair value | 0 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = us-gaap_FixedIncomeFundsMember / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_SupplementalEmployeeRetirementPlanDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member / us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis = us-gaap_TrustForBenefitOfEmployeesMember |  | 0 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = us-gaap_FixedIncomeFundsMember / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_SupplementalEmployeeRetirementPlanDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member / us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis = us-gaap_TrustForBenefitOfEmployeesMember |
SERP | Rabbi Trust | Fixed income securities | Level 3 |  |  |  |
Employer's contribution and fair value of plan assets |  |  |  |
Total investments measured at fair value | 0 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = us-gaap_FixedIncomeFundsMember / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_SupplementalEmployeeRetirementPlanDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member / us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis = us-gaap_TrustForBenefitOfEmployeesMember |  | 0 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = us-gaap_FixedIncomeFundsMember / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_SupplementalEmployeeRetirementPlanDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member / us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis = us-gaap_TrustForBenefitOfEmployeesMember |
SERP | Rabbi Trust | Fixed income securities | Total |  |  |  |
Employer's contribution and fair value of plan assets |  |  |  |
Total investments measured at fair value | 3,454,000 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = us-gaap_FixedIncomeFundsMember / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_SupplementalEmployeeRetirementPlanDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis = us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember / us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis = us-gaap_TrustForBenefitOfEmployeesMember |  | 2,587,000 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = us-gaap_FixedIncomeFundsMember / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_SupplementalEmployeeRetirementPlanDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis = us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember / us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis = us-gaap_TrustForBenefitOfEmployeesMember |
SERP | Rabbi Trust | Equity securities | Level 1 |  |  |  |
Employer's contribution and fair value of plan assets |  |  |  |
Total investments measured at fair value | 5,282,000 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesMember / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_SupplementalEmployeeRetirementPlanDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member / us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis = us-gaap_TrustForBenefitOfEmployeesMember |  | 4,202,000 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesMember / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_SupplementalEmployeeRetirementPlanDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member / us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis = us-gaap_TrustForBenefitOfEmployeesMember |
SERP | Rabbi Trust | Equity securities | Level 2 |  |  |  |
Employer's contribution and fair value of plan assets |  |  |  |
Total investments measured at fair value | 0 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesMember / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_SupplementalEmployeeRetirementPlanDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member / us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis = us-gaap_TrustForBenefitOfEmployeesMember |  | 0 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesMember / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_SupplementalEmployeeRetirementPlanDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member / us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis = us-gaap_TrustForBenefitOfEmployeesMember |
SERP | Rabbi Trust | Equity securities | Level 3 |  |  |  |
Employer's contribution and fair value of plan assets |  |  |  |
Total investments measured at fair value | 0 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesMember / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_SupplementalEmployeeRetirementPlanDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member / us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis = us-gaap_TrustForBenefitOfEmployeesMember |  | 0 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesMember / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_SupplementalEmployeeRetirementPlanDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member / us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis = us-gaap_TrustForBenefitOfEmployeesMember |
SERP | Rabbi Trust | Equity securities | Total |  |  |  |
Employer's contribution and fair value of plan assets |  |  |  |
Total investments measured at fair value | 5,282,000 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesMember / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_SupplementalEmployeeRetirementPlanDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis = us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember / us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis = us-gaap_TrustForBenefitOfEmployeesMember |  | 4,202,000 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesMember / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_SupplementalEmployeeRetirementPlanDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis = us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember / us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis = us-gaap_TrustForBenefitOfEmployeesMember |
Mortality [Member] |  |  |  |
Estimated future benefit payments |  |  |  |
Increase (Decrease) in Pension and Postretirement Obligations | 0.03 us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInPensionAndPostretirementObligations / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = awr_MortalityMember |  |  |
Pension Costs and Other Postretirement Benefit Costs [Member] | GSWC |  |  |  |
Regulatory Adjustment: |  |  |  |
Number of water regions for which two-way balancing account was established | 3 awr_NumberOfWaterRegionsWithBalancingAccount / dei_LegalEntityAxis = awr_GoldenStateWaterCompanyMember / us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetAxis = awr_PensionCostsAndOtherPostretirementBenefitCostsMember |  |  |
Regulatory asset authorized under settlement | 40,700,000 us-gaap_RegulatoryAssets / dei_LegalEntityAxis = awr_GoldenStateWaterCompanyMember / us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetAxis = awr_PensionCostsAndOtherPostretirementBenefitCostsMember |  |  |
Pension Costs and Other Postretirement Benefit Costs [Member] | Two-way pension balancing account | GSWC |  |  |  |
Regulatory Adjustment: |  |  |  |
Regulatory asset authorized under settlement | $ 2,700,000 us-gaap_RegulatoryAssets / dei_LegalEntityAxis = awr_GoldenStateWaterCompanyMember / awr_PensionAndOtherPostRetirementObligationsAxis = awr_UnderCollectionInTwoWayPensionBalancingAccountMember / us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetAxis = awr_PensionCostsAndOtherPostretirementBenefitCostsMember |  |  |
[1] | *7.0% for union plan, 4.2% for non-union, net of income taxes in 2014, 2013 and 2012.

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- Definition Amount of benefits from a defined benefit plan expected to be paid in the third fiscal year following the latest fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported on a rolling approach, from latest balance sheet date. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 715 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (f) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35743120&loc=d3e1928-114920 + Details
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- Definition Amount of benefits from a defined benefit plan expected to be paid in the second fiscal year following the latest fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported on a rolling approach, from latest balance sheet date. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 715 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (f) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35743120&loc=d3e1928-114920 + Details
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- Definition Assets, usually stocks, bonds, and other investments, that have been segregated and restricted (usually in a trust) to provide benefits, at their fair value as of the measurement date. Plan assets include amounts contributed by the employer (and by employees for a contributory plan) and amounts earned from investing the contributions, less benefits paid. If a plan has liabilities other than for benefits, those non-benefit obligations may be considered as reductions of plan assets. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 715 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35743120&loc=d3e1928-114920 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 715 -SubTopic 30 -Section 35 -Paragraph 50 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=29635418&loc=d3e12355-114930 + Details
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- Definition Amount of employer's best estimate of contributions expected to be paid to the plan during the next fiscal year beginning after the date of the latest statement of financial position. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 715 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (g) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35743120&loc=d3e1928-114920 + Details
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- Definition Target allocation of investments of this type to total plan assets presented on a weighted average basis. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 715 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (d)(i) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35743120&loc=d3e1928-114920 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 715 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 5 -Subparagraph (c)(i) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35743120&loc=d3e2446-114920 + Details
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- Definition Percentage of fair value of investments (categorized by debt securities, equity securities, real estate and other plan assets) to the fair value of plan assets held. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 715 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 5 -Subparagraph (c) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35743120&loc=d3e2446-114920 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 715 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (d)(1) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35743120&loc=d3e1928-114920 + Details
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- Definition The amount of the cost recognized during the period for defined contribution plans. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 715 -SubTopic 70 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6414718&loc=d3e28014-114942 + Details
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- Definition The increase (decrease) during the reporting period in the value of other assets that are created when regulatory agencies permits public utilities to defer costs to the balance sheet. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 28 -Subparagraph (a) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=31042434&loc=d3e3602-108585 + Details
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- Definition The increase (decrease) during the reporting period in the amount due to fund pension and non-pension benefits to employees, retired and disabled former employees. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 28 -Subparagraph (a) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=31042434&loc=d3e3602-108585 + Details
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