Represents the funded debt ratio required to be maintained for debt instrument.

No definition available.

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Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Represents the interest coverage ratio required to be maintained for debt instrument.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	awr_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Represents the maximum amount of additional bank commitments the entity may elect to increase under terms of the debt agreement.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	awr_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Cash outflow from subsidiaries in the form of capital distributions and dividends to common shareholders, preferred shareholders and noncontrolling interests.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	awr_PaymentsOfDividendsFromSubsidiaries
Namespace Prefix:	awr_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Details

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Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The reference rate for the variable rate of the debt instrument, such as LIBOR or the US Treasury rate and the maturity of the reference rate used, such as three months or six months LIBOR.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Effective interest rate for the funds borrowed under the debt agreement considering interest compounding and original issue discount or premium.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 835

-SubTopic 30

-Section 45

-Paragraph 2

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6451184&loc=d3e28551-108399

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 22

-Article 5

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22(a)(1))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The total recognized tax benefit related to compensation cost for equity-based payment arrangements recognized in income during the period.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 718

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (h)(1)(i)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The total amount of the contingent obligation under letters of credit outstanding as of the reporting date.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LettersOfCreditOutstandingAmount
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The fee, expressed as a percentage of the line of credit facility, for the line of credit facility regardless of whether the facility has been used.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityCommitmentFeePercentage
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Maximum borrowing capacity under the credit facility without consideration of any current restrictions on the amount that could be borrowed or the amounts currently outstanding under the facility.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.19(b),22(b))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 19, 22

-Article 5

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Current portion of the total carrying amount as of the balance sheet date due within one year or the operating cycle, if longer, on all notes payable to banks paid on an installment with long term maturities. This can include the amount of any loans from the applicant firm. This does not, however, include any mortgage balances.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 19, 20

-Article 5

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.19(a)(1),20)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_NotesPayableToBankCurrent
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_ShortTermBorrowingsAbstract
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Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

For the form of debt having an initial term of less than one year or less than the normal operating cycle, if longer, average borrowings during the period.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

For the form of debt having an initial term of less than one year or less than the normal operating cycle, if longer, the maximum amount borrowed at any time during the period.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ShorttermDebtMaximumAmountOutstandingDuringPeriod
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Weighted average interest rate of short-term debt outstanding.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.19(b))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 19

-Subparagraph b

-Article 5

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Details

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Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	dei_LegalEntityAxis=us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis=awr_SyndicatedRevolvingCreditFacilityMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis=us-gaap_LetterOfCreditMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=awr_ShorttermBorrowingsMember
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SCHEDULE I - CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF PARENT (Details 4) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Short-term borrowing (excluding letters of credit)
Short-term borrowing activities (excluding letters of credit)
Balance outstanding at the end of the period	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0
Interest Rate at the end of the period (as a percent)	0.82%	0.82%	1.41%
Average Amount Outstanding	6,181,000	0	885,000
Weighted Average Annual Interest Rate (as a percent)	0.81%	1.02%	1.49%
Maximum Amount Outstanding	24,000,000	0	6,000,000
Syndicated revolving credit facility
Note payable to banks
Increase in additional aggregate bank commitments	50,000,000.0
Variable rate basis	Euro rate
Syndicated revolving credit facility \| Minimum
Short-term borrowing activities (excluding letters of credit)
Interest coverage ratio	325.00%
Syndicated revolving credit facility \| Maximum
Short-term borrowing activities (excluding letters of credit)
Total funded debt ratio	65.00%
Letters of credit \| Letter of Credit Irrevocable Franchise Agreement with City of Rancho Cordova [Member]
Note payable to banks
Letter of credit, amount	15,000,000
GOLDEN STATE WATER COMPANY
Short-term borrowing activities (excluding letters of credit)
Dividends paid	52,000,000	29,400,000	10,200,000
AWR
Note payable to banks
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Tax Benefit from Compensation Expense	1,500,000
Maximum borrowing capacity	100,000,000.0
Short-term borrowing activities (excluding letters of credit)
Dividends paid			(16,900,000)
AWR \| Syndicated revolving credit facility
Note payable to banks
Increase in additional aggregate bank commitments	50,000,000.0
Short-term borrowing activities (excluding letters of credit)
Interest coverage ratio	752.00%
Total funded debt ratio	40.00%
AWR \| Syndicated revolving credit facility \| Minimum
Short-term borrowing activities (excluding letters of credit)
Interest coverage ratio	325.00%
AWR \| Syndicated revolving credit facility \| Maximum
Short-term borrowing activities (excluding letters of credit)
Total funded debt ratio	65.00%
AWR \| Syndicated revolving credit facility \| Letters of credit
Note payable to banks
Maximum borrowing capacity	25,000,000
Letter of credit, amount	11,200,000
Letter of credit fee (as a percent)	0.65%
AWR \| Syndicated revolving credit facility \| Letter of Credit - GSWC business automobile insurance policy
Note payable to banks
Letter of credit, amount	340,000
AWR \| Syndicated revolving credit facility \| Letter of Credit - Purchase of power
Note payable to banks
Letter of credit, amount	585,000,000
AWR \| Syndicated revolving credit facility \| Letter of Credit - American Recovery and Reinvestment Act
Note payable to banks
Letter of credit, amount	6,700,000
AWR \| Syndicated revolving credit facility \| Irrevocable Letter of Credit - Edison Settlement agreement
Note payable to banks
Letter of credit, amount	$ 3,600,000