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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Real Estate Investments) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified | 12 Months Ended | 0 Months Ended
--- | --- | ---
Dec. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2012 | Aug. 01, 2014 | Jun. 30, 2014 | Feb. 01, 2013 | Aug. 02, 2012
Components of Real Estate Investments [Abstract] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Land | $ 17,297us-gaap_Land | $ 18,892us-gaap_Land |  |  |  |  |
Buildings and improvements | 56,168us-gaap_InvestmentBuildingAndBuildingImprovements | 59,256us-gaap_InvestmentBuildingAndBuildingImprovements |  |  |  |  |
Intangibles | 329sjw_RealEstateInvestmentsIntangibles | 329sjw_RealEstateInvestmentsIntangibles |  |  |  |  |
Total real estate investment | 73,794us-gaap_RealEstateInvestmentPropertyAtCost | 78,477us-gaap_RealEstateInvestmentPropertyAtCost |  |  |  |  |
Gain on sale of real estate investment | 554us-gaap_GainLossOnSaleOfProperties | 1,063us-gaap_GainLossOnSaleOfProperties | 910us-gaap_GainLossOnSaleOfProperties |  |  |  |
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Receivable [Abstract] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
2013 | 5,345us-gaap_OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueCurrent |  |  |  |  |  |
2014 | 5,514us-gaap_OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueInTwoYears |  |  |  |  |  |
2015 | 5,612us-gaap_OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueInThreeYears |  |  |  |  |  |
2016 | 4,789us-gaap_OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueInFourYears |  |  |  |  |  |
2017 | 3,753us-gaap_OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueInFiveYears |  |  |  |  |  |
Thereafter | 13,691us-gaap_OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueThereafter |  |  |  |  |  |
California Non-Utility Property [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Components of Real Estate Investments [Abstract] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Proceeds from sale of real estate held-for-investment |  |  |  | 300us-gaap_ProceedsFromSaleOfRealEstateHeldforinvestment / us-gaap_LongLivedAssetsHeldForSaleByAssetTypeAxis = sjw_CaliforniaNonUtilityPropertyMember |  |  |
Gain on sale of real estate investment |  |  |  | 281us-gaap_GainLossOnSaleOfProperties / us-gaap_LongLivedAssetsHeldForSaleByAssetTypeAxis = sjw_CaliforniaNonUtilityPropertyMember |  |  |
Selling expense |  |  |  | 10sjw_RealEstateSellingExpenses / us-gaap_LongLivedAssetsHeldForSaleByAssetTypeAxis = sjw_CaliforniaNonUtilityPropertyMember |  |  |
Texas Retail Buildings [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Components of Real Estate Investments [Abstract] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Proceeds from sale of real estate held-for-investment |  |  |  |  | 4,450us-gaap_ProceedsFromSaleOfRealEstateHeldforinvestment / us-gaap_LongLivedAssetsHeldForSaleByAssetTypeAxis = sjw_TexasRetailBuildingsMember |  |
Gain on sale of real estate investment |  |  |  |  | 273us-gaap_GainLossOnSaleOfProperties / us-gaap_LongLivedAssetsHeldForSaleByAssetTypeAxis = sjw_TexasRetailBuildingsMember |  |
Selling expense |  |  |  |  | 169sjw_RealEstateSellingExpenses / us-gaap_LongLivedAssetsHeldForSaleByAssetTypeAxis = sjw_TexasRetailBuildingsMember |  |
Connecticut Warehouse [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Components of Real Estate Investments [Abstract] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Proceeds from sale of real estate held-for-investment |  |  |  |  |  | 9,200us-gaap_ProceedsFromSaleOfRealEstateHeldforinvestment / us-gaap_LongLivedAssetsHeldForSaleByAssetTypeAxis = sjw_ConnecticutWarehouseMember |
Gain on sale of real estate investment |  |  |  |  |  | 1,063us-gaap_GainLossOnSaleOfProperties / us-gaap_LongLivedAssetsHeldForSaleByAssetTypeAxis = sjw_ConnecticutWarehouseMember |
Selling expense |  |  |  |  |  | 369sjw_RealEstateSellingExpenses / us-gaap_LongLivedAssetsHeldForSaleByAssetTypeAxis = sjw_ConnecticutWarehouseMember |
Florida Warehouse [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Components of Real Estate Investments [Abstract] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Proceeds from sale of real estate held-for-investment |  |  |  |  |  |  | 5,821us-gaap_ProceedsFromSaleOfRealEstateHeldforinvestment / us-gaap_LongLivedAssetsHeldForSaleByAssetTypeAxis = sjw_FloridaWarehouseMember
Gain on sale of real estate investment |  |  |  |  |  |  | 910us-gaap_GainLossOnSaleOfProperties / us-gaap_LongLivedAssetsHeldForSaleByAssetTypeAxis = sjw_FloridaWarehouseMember
Selling expense |  |  |  |  |  |  | 304sjw_RealEstateSellingExpenses / us-gaap_LongLivedAssetsHeldForSaleByAssetTypeAxis = sjw_FloridaWarehouseMember
Minimum [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Components of Real Estate Investments [Abstract] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Estimated useful life | 5 years |  |  |  |  |  |
Maximum [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Components of Real Estate Investments [Abstract] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Estimated useful life | 39 years |  |  |  |  |  |
Land and Building [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Assets Leased or Available for Lease [Abstract] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Assets leased or available for lease | $ 72,402us-gaap_PropertySubjectToOrAvailableForOperatingLeaseNet / us-gaap_MajorPropertyClassAxis = us-gaap_LandAndBuildingMember | $ 77,082us-gaap_PropertySubjectToOrAvailableForOperatingLeaseNet / us-gaap_MajorPropertyClassAxis = us-gaap_LandAndBuildingMember |  |  |  |  |

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- Definition Gross carrying amount before accumulated amortization as of the balance sheet date of intangible assets related to Real Estate Investments having a reasonably expected period of economic benefit. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition The difference between the carrying value and the sale price of real estate or properties that were intended to be sold or held for capital appreciation or rental income. This element refers to the gain (loss) included in earnings and not to the cash proceeds of the sale. This element is a noncash adjustment to net income when calculating net cash generated by operating activities using the indirect method. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 28 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=31042434&loc=d3e3602-108585 + Details
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- Definition Aggregate of the carrying amounts as of the balance sheet date of investments in building and building improvements. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 944 -SubTopic 210 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03.1(d)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910 + Details
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- Definition Amount before accumulated depletion of real estate held for productive use, excluding land held for sale. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 4 -Subparagraph (e) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=28358313&loc=d3e6812-107765 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.13) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 + Details
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- Definition Amount of required minimum rental payments for operating leases having an initial or remaining non-cancelable lease term in excess of one year due in the next fiscal year following the latest fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported on a rolling approach, from latest balance sheet date. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 840 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (a) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6453985&loc=d3e41502-112717 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 840 -SubTopic 10 -Section 55 -Paragraph 40 -Subparagraph (Note 3) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6584154&loc=d3e38371-112697 + Details
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- Definition Amount of required minimum rental payments for operating leases having an initial or remaining non-cancelable lease term in excess of one year due in the fifth fiscal year following the latest fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported on a rolling approach, from latest balance sheet date. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 840 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (a) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6453985&loc=d3e41502-112717 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 840 -SubTopic 10 -Section 55 -Paragraph 40 -Subparagraph (Note 3) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6584154&loc=d3e38371-112697 + Details
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- Definition Amount of required minimum rental payments for operating leases having an initial or remaining non-cancelable lease term in excess of one year due in the fourth fiscal year following the latest fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported on a rolling approach, from latest balance sheet date. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 840 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (a) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6453985&loc=d3e41502-112717 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 840 -SubTopic 10 -Section 55 -Paragraph 40 -Subparagraph (Note 3) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6584154&loc=d3e38371-112697 + Details
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- Definition Amount of required minimum rental payments for operating leases having an initial or remaining non-cancelable lease term in excess of one year due in the third fiscal year following the latest fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported on a rolling approach, from latest balance sheet date. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 840 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (a) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6453985&loc=d3e41502-112717 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 840 -SubTopic 10 -Section 55 -Paragraph 40 -Subparagraph (Note 3) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6584154&loc=d3e38371-112697 + Details
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- Definition Amount of required minimum rental payments for operating leases having an initial or remaining non-cancelable lease term in excess of one year due in the second fiscal year following the latest fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported on a rolling approach, from latest balance sheet date. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 840 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (a) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6453985&loc=d3e41502-112717 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 840 -SubTopic 10 -Section 55 -Paragraph 40 -Subparagraph (Note 3) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6584154&loc=d3e38371-112697 + Details
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- Definition Amount of required minimum rental payments for operating leases having an initial or remaining non-cancelable lease term in excess of one year due after the fifth fiscal year following the latest fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported on a rolling approach, from latest balance sheet date. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 840 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (a) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6453985&loc=d3e41502-112717 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 840 -SubTopic 10 -Section 55 -Paragraph 40 -Subparagraph (Note 3) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6584154&loc=d3e38371-112697 + Details
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- Definition Cash received from the sale of real estate that is held for investment, that is, it is part of an investing activity during the period. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 12 -Subparagraph (c) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=31042434&loc=d3e3179-108585 + Details
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- Definition The amount of property, by major property class, net of accumulated depreciation, subject to or available for lease as of the balance sheet date. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 840 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 4 -Subparagraph (a) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6454179&loc=d3e41551-112718 + Details
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- Definition Useful life on which depreciation was computed for entities with a substantial portion of business acquiring and holding investment real estate, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 970 -SubTopic 360 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.12-28) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6590653&loc=d3e638233-123024 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 205 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 6 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-04.(c) Schedule III) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27047687&loc=d3e5864-122674 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 28 -Article 12 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 04 -Paragraph c -Subparagraph Schedule III -Article 5 + Details
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- Definition Amount of real estate investment property which may include the following: (1) land available-for-sale; (2) land available-for-development; (3) investments in building and building improvements; (4) tenant allowances; (5) developments in-process; (6) rental properties; and (7) other real estate investments. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 944 -SubTopic 210 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03.1(d)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910 + Details
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