XML 33 R42.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
v2.4.0.8

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Revenue, Balancing and Memorandum Accounts) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified | 12 Months Ended | 34 Months Ended |
--- | --- | --- | ---
Dec. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2012 | Dec. 31, 2011 | Aug. 21, 2013 | Oct. 27, 2010
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Regulated operating revenue, water surcharge | $ 3,741 | $ 3,862 | $ 3,272 |  |
Balancing and memorandum accounts, including interest | 8,167 |  |  |  |
Balancing and memorandum accounts, revenue and regulatory assets | 5,019 | 2,604 |  |  |
Immediate increase requested, percentage |  |  |  |  | 38.00%
Total increase requested, percentage |  |  |  |  | 71.00%
Regulatory Rate Filings, Increase, Percent of Authorized Revenue Approved |  |  |  | 33.00% |
Customer Refund for Over Rate Collections |  |  |  | 982 |
San Jose Water Company [Member] |  |  |  |  |
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Nonregulated operating revenue | $ 5,882 | $ 5,523 | $ 4,935 |  |

X
- Definition Balancing and Memorandum Account, Net + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | sjw_BalancingAndMemorandumAccountNet
Namespace Prefix: | sjw_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Balancing and Memorandum Accounts, Revenue and Regulatory Assets + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | sjw_BalancingAndMemorandumAccountsRevenueAndRegulatoryAssets
Namespace Prefix: | sjw_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Customer Refund for Over Rate Collections + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | sjw_CustomerRefundforOverRateCollections
Namespace Prefix: | sjw_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Regulated Operating Revenue, Water Surcharge + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | sjw_RegulatedOperatingRevenueWaterSurcharge
Namespace Prefix: | sjw_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Regulatory Rate Filings, Immediate Increase Requested, Percentage + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | sjw_RegulatoryRateFilingsImmediateIncreaseRequestedPercentOfAuthorizedRevenue
Namespace Prefix: | sjw_
Data Type: | num:percentItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Regulatory Rate Filings, Increase, Percent of Authorized Revenue Approved + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | sjw_RegulatoryRateFilingsIncreasePercentofAuthorizedRevenueApproved
Namespace Prefix: | sjw_
Data Type: | num:percentItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Regulatory Rate Filings, Total Increase Requested, Percentage + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | sjw_RegulatoryRateFilingsIncreaseRequestedPercentOfAuthorizedRevenue
Namespace Prefix: | sjw_
Data Type: | num:percentItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

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

X
- Definition The amount of unregulated operating revenues recognized during the period. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_UnregulatedOperatingRevenue
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration