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Business Segments 2 (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands | 12 Months Ended
--- | ---
Dec. 31, 2016 | Dec. 31, 2015 | Dec. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract] |  |  |
Total utility plant | $ 1,150,926 | $ 1,060,794 | $ 1,003,520
Other assets | 319,567 | 283,165 |
Total Assets | 1,470,493 | 1,343,959 |
GSWC |  |  |
Segment Reporting [Abstract] |  |  |
Total utility plant | 1,145,311 | 1,056,116 |
Total Assets | 1,384,178 | 1,271,879 |
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] |  |  |
Depreciation on transportation equipment | 259 | 641 | 678
AWR Parent |  |  |
Segment Reporting [Abstract] |  |  |
Total utility plant | 0 | 0 | 0
Total Assets | 590,511 | 497,848 |
American States Utility Services [Member] | American States Utility Services [Member] |  |  |
Segment Reporting [Abstract] |  |  |
Total utility plant | $ 5,615 | $ 4,678 | $ 4,640

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- Definition Amount after accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization of physical assets used in the normal conduct of business to produce goods and services and not intended for resale. Examples include, but are not limited to, land, buildings, machinery and equipment, office equipment, and furniture and fixtures. + 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 210.5-02.13) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 360 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6391035&loc=d3e2868-110229 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 13 -Subparagraph a -Article 5 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 8 -Article 7 + Details
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