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Benefit Plans Regulatory Asset (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified | Dec. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2012
--- | --- | ---
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] |  |
Regulatory asset | $ 88,218 | $ 134,377
Postretirement pensions and other medical benefits [Member] |  |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] |  |
Funded status of obligation | 44,322 | 74,222
Accrued benefit cost | (7,030) | (6,904)
Amount to be recovered in future rates | 37,292 | 67,318
Tax gross-up | 25,657 | 46,315
Regulatory asset | $ 62,949 | $ 113,633

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- Definition Regulatory Assets, Amount to be Recovered in Future Rates + References No definition available. + Details
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Namespace Prefix: | sjw_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

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- Definition Regulatory Assets, Funded Status of Obligation + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | sjw_RegulatoryAssetsFundedStatusOfObligation
Namespace Prefix: | sjw_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

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- Definition Regulatory Assets, Tax Gross Up + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | sjw_RegulatoryAssetsTaxGrossUp
Namespace Prefix: | sjw_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

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- Definition Regulatory Liabilities, Accrued Benefit Cost + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | sjw_RegulatoryLiabilitiesAccruedBenefitCost
Namespace Prefix: | sjw_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

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

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- Definition The amount for the individual regulatory asset as itemized in a table of regulatory assets as of the end of the period. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -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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Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant