XML 21 R55.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v2.4.1.9

Benefit Plans Narrative (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014 Y	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Increase in Benefit Obligation	$ 10,000,000sjw_DefinedBenefitPlanBenefitObligationPeriodIncreaseDecreaseDuetoMortalityAssumptions
Pension Plans [Abstract]
Number of compensation years included in benefit calculation	3sjw_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingBenefitObligationNumberOfCompensationYears
Expected future working lifetime of participants	12 years 1 month 28 days
Market gains (losses)	790,000us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAmortizationOfGainsLosses	334,000us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAmortizationOfGainsLosses
Return on investments for past 10 years, percent	6.10%sjw_DefinedBenefitPlanReturnonInvestmentsPast10YearsPercent
Investments benchmark for past 10 years, percent	6.20%sjw_DefinedBenefitPlanReturnonInvestmentsPast10YearsBenchmarkPercentnt
Return on investments for past five years, percent	9.40%sjw_DefinedBenfitPlanReturnonInvestmentsPast5YearsPercent
Investments benchmark for past five years, percent	9.70%sjw_DefinedBenefitPlanReturnonInvestmentsPast5YearsBenchmarkPercent
Flexible Spending Plan [Abstract]
Annual maximum contribution limit under Health Care Spending Account plan	2,500.0sjw_HealthCareSpendingAccountAnnualMaximumEmployeeContribution
Annual maximum contribution limit under Dependent Care Spending Account plan	5,000sjw_DependentCareSpendingAccountAnnualMaximumEmployeeContribution
Deferral Plan [Abstract]
Employer contributions to deferral plan	1,101,000us-gaap_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualEmployerContribution	1,087,000us-gaap_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualEmployerContribution	1,044,000us-gaap_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualEmployerContribution
Fixed Income Funds [Member]
Pension Plans [Abstract]
Defined Benefit Plan, Target Plan Asset Allocations Range Minimum	25.00%us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanTargetPlanAssetAllocationsRangeMinimum / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = us-gaap_FixedIncomeFundsMember
Bonds [Member]
Pension Plans [Abstract]
Actual plan asset allocations	35.00%us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanWeightedAverageAssetAllocations / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = us-gaap_BondsMember
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member]
Pension Plans [Abstract]
Actual plan asset allocations	7.00%us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanWeightedAverageAssetAllocations / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsMember
Equity Securities [Member]
Pension Plans [Abstract]
Actual plan asset allocations	58.00%us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanWeightedAverageAssetAllocations / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesMember
Private Corporation Assets [Member]
Pension Plans [Abstract]
Defined Benefit Plan, Target Plan Asset Allocations Range Maximum	5.00%us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanTargetPlanAssetAllocationsRangeMaximum / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = sjw_PrivateCorporationAssetsMember
Minimum [Member]
Pension Plans [Abstract]
Period for performance standards	3 years
Maximum [Member]
Pension Plans [Abstract]
Period for performance standards	5 years
Executive Supplemental Retirement Plan [Member]
Pension Plans [Abstract]
Projected benefit obligation	15,806,000us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanBenefitObligation / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_SupplementalEmployeeRetirementPlanDefinedBenefitMember	12,637,000us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanBenefitObligation / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_SupplementalEmployeeRetirementPlanDefinedBenefitMember
Net periodic pension cost	1,300,000us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanNetPeriodicBenefitCost / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_SupplementalEmployeeRetirementPlanDefinedBenefitMember	1,248,000us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanNetPeriodicBenefitCost / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_SupplementalEmployeeRetirementPlanDefinedBenefitMember	1,386,000us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanNetPeriodicBenefitCost / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_SupplementalEmployeeRetirementPlanDefinedBenefitMember
Executives and Non-employee Directors [Member] | Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, by Type of Compensation, Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits [Member]
Special Deferral Election Plan and Deferral Election Program [Abstract]
Deferrals by executives and non-employee directors	$ 2,747,000sjw_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualDeferralAmount / us-gaap_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualPostretirementBenefitsByTypeOfDeferredCompensationAxis = us-gaap_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualByTypeOfCompensationPensionAndOtherPostretirementBenefitsMember / us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis = sjw_ExecutivesAndNonEmployeeDirectorsMember	$ 2,567,000sjw_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualDeferralAmount / us-gaap_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualPostretirementBenefitsByTypeOfDeferredCompensationAxis = us-gaap_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualByTypeOfCompensationPensionAndOtherPostretirementBenefitsMember / us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis = sjw_ExecutivesAndNonEmployeeDirectorsMember	$ 2,501,000sjw_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualDeferralAmount / us-gaap_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualPostretirementBenefitsByTypeOfDeferredCompensationAxis = us-gaap_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualByTypeOfCompensationPensionAndOtherPostretirementBenefitsMember / us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis = sjw_ExecutivesAndNonEmployeeDirectorsMember

X

- Details

Name:	sjw_DeferralPlanAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	sjw_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

Deferred Compensation Arrangement With Individual, Deferral Amount

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	sjw_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualDeferralAmount
Namespace Prefix:	sjw_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

Defined Benefit Plan, Assumptions Used Calculating Benefit Obligation, Number of Compensation Years

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	sjw_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingBenefitObligationNumberOfCompensationYears
Namespace Prefix:	sjw_
Data Type:	xbrli:decimalItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

X

- Definition

Defined Benefit Plan, Benefit Obligation, Period Increase (Decrease), Due to Mortality Assumptions

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	sjw_DefinedBenefitPlanBenefitObligationPeriodIncreaseDecreaseDuetoMortalityAssumptions
Namespace Prefix:	sjw_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

Defined Benefit Plan, Period for Performance Standards

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	sjw_DefinedBenefitPlanPeriodForPerformanceStandards
Namespace Prefix:	sjw_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

Defined Benefit Plan, Return on Investments Past 10 Years, Benchmark Percent

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	sjw_DefinedBenefitPlanReturnonInvestmentsPast10YearsBenchmarkPercentnt
Namespace Prefix:	sjw_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

Defined Benefit Plan, Return on Investments Past 10 Years, Percent

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	sjw_DefinedBenefitPlanReturnonInvestmentsPast10YearsPercent
Namespace Prefix:	sjw_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

Defined Benefit Plan, Return on Investments Past 5 Years, Benchmark Percent

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	sjw_DefinedBenefitPlanReturnonInvestmentsPast5YearsBenchmarkPercent
Namespace Prefix:	sjw_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

Defined Benefit Plan, Unamortized Actuarial Gains (Losses), Expected Working Lifetime of Participants

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	sjw_DefinedBenefitPlanUnamortizedActuarialGainsLossesExpectedWorkingLifetimeOfParticipants
Namespace Prefix:	sjw_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

Defined Benfit Plan, Return on Investments Past 5 Years, Percent

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	sjw_DefinedBenfitPlanReturnonInvestmentsPast5YearsPercent
Namespace Prefix:	sjw_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

Dependent Care Spending Account, Annual Maximum Employee Contribution

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	sjw_DependentCareSpendingAccountAnnualMaximumEmployeeContribution
Namespace Prefix:	sjw_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

X

- Details

Name:	sjw_FlexibleSpendingPlanAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	sjw_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

Health Care Spending Account, Annual Maximum Employee Contribution

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	sjw_HealthCareSpendingAccountAnnualMaximumEmployeeContribution
Namespace Prefix:	sjw_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

X

- Details

Name:	sjw_PensionPlansAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	sjw_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

X

- Details

Name:	sjw_SpecialDeferralElectionPlanAndDeferralElectionProgramAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	sjw_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

The amount of payment into the fund established for purposes of making future disbursements to the individual in accordance with the terms and understanding of the deferred compensation arrangement.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualEmployerContribution
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

The amount of gains or losses recognized in net periodic benefit cost.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 715

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (h)(4)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35743120&loc=d3e1928-114920

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAmortizationOfGainsLosses
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

1) For defined benefit pension plans, the benefit obligation is the projected benefit obligation, which is the actuarial present value as of a date of all benefits attributed by the pension benefit formula to employee service rendered prior to that date. 2) For other postretirement defined benefit plans, the benefit obligation is the accumulated postretirement benefit obligation, which is the actuarial present value of benefits attributed to employee service rendered to a particular date.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 715

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (a)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35743120&loc=d3e1928-114920



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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Projected Benefit Obligation

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6522206



Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Accumulated Postretirement Benefit Obligation

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6503904

+ Details

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

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanDisclosureLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

The total amount of net periodic benefit cost for defined benefit plans for the period. Periodic benefit costs include the following components: service cost, interest cost, expected return on plan assets, gain (loss), prior service cost or credit, transition asset or obligation, and gain (loss) due to settlements or curtailments.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 715

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (j)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35743120&loc=d3e1928-114920



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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 715

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (h)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35743120&loc=d3e1928-114920

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanNetPeriodicBenefitCost
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

Target allocation maximum percentage of investments of this type to total plan assets presented on a weighted average basis.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 715

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (d)(i)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35743120&loc=d3e1928-114920



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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 715

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 5

-Subparagraph (c)(i)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35743120&loc=d3e2446-114920

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanTargetPlanAssetAllocationsRangeMaximum
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

Target allocation minimum percentage of investments of this type to total plan assets presented on a weighted average basis.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 715

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (d)(i)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35743120&loc=d3e1928-114920



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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 715

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 5

-Subparagraph (c)(i)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35743120&loc=d3e2446-114920

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanTargetPlanAssetAllocationsRangeMinimum
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

Percentage of fair value of investments (categorized by debt securities, equity securities, real estate and other plan assets) to the fair value of plan assets held.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 715

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 5

-Subparagraph (c)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35743120&loc=d3e2446-114920



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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 715

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (d)(1)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35743120&loc=d3e1928-114920

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanWeightedAverageAssetAllocations
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis=sjw_PrivateCorporationAssetsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis=us-gaap_BondsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis=us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis=us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis=us-gaap_FixedIncomeFundsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis=us-gaap_SupplementalEmployeeRetirementPlanDefinedBenefitMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RangeAxis=us-gaap_MaximumMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RangeAxis=us-gaap_MinimumMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis=sjw_ExecutivesAndNonEmployeeDirectorsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type: