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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Revenue, Balancing and Memorandum Accounts) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2012
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items] |  |  |
Regulated operating revenue, water surcharge | $ 3,872sjw_RegulatedOperatingRevenueWaterSurcharge | $ 3,741sjw_RegulatedOperatingRevenueWaterSurcharge | $ 3,862sjw_RegulatedOperatingRevenueWaterSurcharge
San Jose Water Company [Member] |  |  |
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items] |  |  |
Nonregulated operating revenue | $ 6,175us-gaap_UnregulatedOperatingRevenue / dei_LegalEntityAxis = us-gaap_SubsidiariesMember | $ 5,882us-gaap_UnregulatedOperatingRevenue / dei_LegalEntityAxis = us-gaap_SubsidiariesMember | $ 5,523us-gaap_UnregulatedOperatingRevenue / dei_LegalEntityAxis = us-gaap_SubsidiariesMember

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

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

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- Details
Name: | dei_LegalEntityAxis=us-gaap_SubsidiariesMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |