XML 40 R16.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
v2.4.0.8

Regulatory Rate Filings | 9 Months Ended
--- | ---
Sep. 30, 2013
Regulated Operations [Abstract] |
Regulatory Rate Filings | Regulatory Rate Filings On January 3, 2012, San Jose Water Company filed a general rate case application requesting rate increases of $47,394, or 21.51% in 2013, $12,963, or 4.87% in 2014, and $34,797, or 12.59% in 2015. This general rate case filing also included several “special requests”, including but not limited to: (1) recovery of under-collected balancing account balances of $2,599, (2) disbursement of over-collected memorandum account balances of $650 and (3) implementation of a full revenue decoupling Water Revenue Adjustment Mechanism (“WRAM”) and associated Modified Cost Balancing Account (“MCBA”). On September 26, 2012, San Jose Water Company filed a motion for interim rate relief so that if a decision was not reached by the end of 2012, San Jose Water Company would be allowed to adopt interim rates, effective January 1, 2013, until a decision is adopted. To date a decision has not been adopted and interim rates are currently in effect. Interim rates were set equal to fiscal year-end 2012 rates. Differences between interim rates and approved rates are tracked in a memorandum account and will be submitted for recovery or refund. On August 27, 2010, CLWSC filed a rate case with the TCEQ. The filing contained a request for an immediate increase in revenue of 38% and a total increase of 71%. The new rates (38%) became effective on October 27, 2010. CLWSC also requested a rate base determination from the TCEQ. On August 21, 2013, the TCEQ issued a decision in the case that supported a rate base of $38,000, a return on equity of 10.88%, and a 33% increase in revenue requirement. Since the rates authorized by the TCEQ are less than the interim rates, this resulted in a customer refund of approximately $982 for rate over-collections during the period of interim rates. On October 3, 2013, CLWSC filed a rate case with the TCEQ. The filing contained a requested rate increase of 23.1%, or $2,400. The new rates will become effective for water service provided after December 2, 2013. Customers have 150 days from filing to protest the application. Until final approval by the TCEQ, the rate increase will be subject to adjustment or refund.

X
- Definition Regulatory Rate Filings [Text Block] + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | sjw_RegulatoryRateFilingsTextBlock
Namespace Prefix: | sjw_
Data Type: | nonnum:textBlockItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_RegulatedOperationsAbstract
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration