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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Asset Retirement Obligation) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Retirement obligation	$ 4,355us-gaap_AssetRetirementObligation	$ 4,612us-gaap_AssetRetirementObligation
Discount rate	6.00%sjw_AssetRetirementObligationDiscountRate	6.00%sjw_AssetRetirementObligationDiscountRate
Present value, recorded as a liability	1,994sjw_AssetRetirementObligationPresentValue	1,733sjw_AssetRetirementObligationPresentValue
Deferred tax	1,371sjw_AssetRetirementObligationDeferredTax	1,192sjw_AssetRetirementObligationDeferredTax
Regulatory asset	$ 3,365us-gaap_AssetRetirementObligationLegallyRestrictedAssetsFairValue	$ 2,925us-gaap_AssetRetirementObligationLegallyRestrictedAssetsFairValue

X

- Definition

Asset Retirement Obligation, Deferred Tax

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	sjw_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

X

- Definition

Asset Retirement Obligation, Discount Rate

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	sjw_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

X

- Definition

Asset Retirement Obligation, Present Value

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	sjw_AssetRetirementObligationPresentValue
Namespace Prefix:	sjw_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

X

- Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
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X

- Definition

The carrying amount of a liability for an asset retirement obligation. An asset retirement obligation is a legal obligation associated with the disposal or retirement of a tangible long-lived asset that results from the acquisition, construction or development, or the normal operations of a long-lived asset, except for certain obligations of lessees.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 410

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (c)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6392692&loc=d3e7535-110849



Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Asset Retirement Obligation

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6505190

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_AssetRetirementObligation
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

X

- Definition

Carrying amount of an asset that is legally restricted for purposes of settling an asset retirement obligation.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 410

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6392692&loc=d3e7535-110849

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
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Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant