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Balancing and Memorandum Account Recovery Procedures (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified | 3 Months Ended
--- | ---
Mar. 31, 2014 | Mar. 31, 2013
Balancing and Memorandum Account Recovery Procedures [Abstract] |  |
Balancing and Memorandum Account, Net | $ 7,725 |
Balancing and Memorandum Accounts, Revenue and Regulatory Assets | $ 411 | $ 1,885
Threshold as a percentage of authorized revenue for balancing account or memorandum account review | 2.00% |

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- 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

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- Details
Name: | sjw_BalancingAndMemorandumAccountRecoveryProceduresAbstract
Namespace Prefix: | sjw_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

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- Definition Threshold balance of a balancing or memorandum account as a percentage of authorized revenue to trigger an account review. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | sjw_BalancingAndMemorandumAccountReviewAuthorizedRevenueThresholdPercentage
Namespace Prefix: | sjw_
Data Type: | num:percentItemType
Balance Type: | na
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