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SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2020 | Dec. 31, 2019 | Dec. 31, 2018
Lessor, Lease, Description [Line Items] |  |  |
Maximum collection period in which deferred net WRAM and MCBA revenues and associated costs will be recognized | 24 months |  |
Optional lease renewal term | 15 years |  |
Provision for depreciation expressed as a percentage of the aggregate depreciable asset balances | 2.94% | 2.96% | 3.02%
Asset retirement obligation | $ 27,800 | $ 25,600 |
Proceeds collected through a surcharge on certain customers' bills | 600 | 600 |
Short-term portion of the regulatory assets | 96,241 | 38,225 |
Short-term portion of the regulatory liabilities | 34,636 | 4,462 |
Amortization of debt premium and expenses | 412 | 744 | $ 1,099
Advances for construction | $ 195,625 | 191,062 |
Refund period | 40 years |  |
Operating lease, liability | $ 15,625 | $ 14,380 |
Minimum |  |  |
Lessor, Lease, Description [Line Items] |  |  |
Term of contract | 5 years |  |
Maximum |  |  |
Lessor, Lease, Description [Line Items] |  |  |
Term of contract | 10 years |  |

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- Definition Represents the amount included in deposit assets related to amount collected through surcharge on customers' bills. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Represents the maximum collection period in which deferred net WRAM and MCBA revenues and associated costs will be recognized. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Amount of noncash expense included in interest expense to amortize debt discount and premium associated with the related debt instruments. Excludes amortization of financing costs. Alternate captions include noncash interest expense. + References Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 835 -SubTopic 30 -Section 45 -Paragraph 1A -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=119993939&loc=d3e28541-108399 Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 28 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=121586364&loc=d3e3602-108585 Reference 3: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 220 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.8) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120395209&loc=SL114868664-224227 + Details
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- Definition The carrying amount of a liability for an asset retirement obligation. An asset retirement obligation is a legal obligation associated with the disposal or retirement of a tangible long-lived asset that results from the acquisition, construction or development, or the normal operations of a long-lived asset, except for certain obligations of lessees. + References Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 410 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (c) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6392692&loc=d3e7535-110849 + Details
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- Definition Amount of liability for consideration received or receivable from customer which is not included in transaction price, when consideration is expected to be refunded to customer, classified as noncurrent. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 606 -SubTopic 10 -Section 55 -Paragraph 27 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=121551570&loc=SL49130611-203046-203046 + Details
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- Definition Carrying amount as of the balance sheet date of capitalized costs of regulated entities that are expected to be recovered through revenue sources within one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer. Such costs are capitalized if they meet both of the following criteria: a. It is probable that future revenue in an amount at least equal to the capitalized cost will result from inclusion of that cost in allowable costs for rate-making purposes. b. Based on available evidence, the future revenue will be provided to permit recovery of the previously incurred cost rather than to provide for expected levels of similar future costs. If the revenue will be provided through an automatic rate-adjustment clause, this criterion requires that the regulator's intent clearly be to permit recovery of the previously incurred cost. + References Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 980 -SubTopic 340 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6499975&loc=d3e44250-110382 + Details
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