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Military Privatization (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Military Privatization
Contract liabilities (Note 2)	$ 7,530				$ 3,911				$ 7,530	$ 3,911
Receivables from the U.S. government:
Less: allowance for doubtful accounts	(951)				(1,041)				(951)	(1,041)	$ (764)	$ (944)
Pretax income
Increase in pretax operating income	$ 22,749	$ 33,975	$ 25,568	$ 18,691	$ 21,959	$ 38,534	$ 42,026	$ 24,576	$ 100,983	127,095	114,192
Contracted Services [Member]
Military Privatization
Period of fixed price contracts to maintain water systems at various military bases									50 years
American States Utility Services [Member] | Contracted Services [Member]
Pretax income
Increase in pretax operating income									$ 20,414	$ 21,320	$ 19,024
Reportable Legal Entities [Member] | American States Utility Services [Member] | Contracted Services [Member]
Military Privatization
Revenue Recognition, Retrospective Rate-Setting Systems, Amount							$ 1,000

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Represents the period of fixed price contracts to operate and maintain the water and/or wastewater systems at various military bases.

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