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Regulatory Assets and Liabilities (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified | Mar. 31, 2015 | Dec. 31, 2014
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Regulatory Assets [Line Items] |  |
Net Regulatory Assets | $ 173,445 us-gaap_NetRegulatoryAssets | $ 174,863 us-gaap_NetRegulatoryAssets
Less: current regulatory asset, net | 15,996 us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetsCurrent | 16,853 us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetsCurrent
Net regulatory assets, less current portion | 157,449 us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetsNoncurrent | 158,010 us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetsNoncurrent
Income tax temporary differences, net |  |
Regulatory Assets [Line Items] |  |
Regulatory assets: | 6,731 us-gaap_RegulatoryAssets / us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetAxis = us-gaap_DeferredIncomeTaxChargesMember | 6,731 us-gaap_RegulatoryAssets / us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetAxis = us-gaap_DeferredIncomeTaxChargesMember
Postretirement pensions and other medical benefits |  |
Regulatory Assets [Line Items] |  |
Regulatory assets: | 115,494 us-gaap_RegulatoryAssets / us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetAxis = sjw_PostretirementPensionsAndOtherMedicalBenefitsMember | 115,494 us-gaap_RegulatoryAssets / us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetAxis = sjw_PostretirementPensionsAndOtherMedicalBenefitsMember
Balancing and memorandum accounts, net |  |
Regulatory Assets [Line Items] |  |
Regulatory assets: | 45,569 us-gaap_RegulatoryAssets / us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetAxis = sjw_A2012GeneralRateCaseTrueupMember | 47,061 us-gaap_RegulatoryAssets / us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetAxis = sjw_A2012GeneralRateCaseTrueupMember
Other, net |  |
Regulatory Assets [Line Items] |  |
Regulatory assets: | $ 5,651 us-gaap_RegulatoryAssets / us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetAxis = sjw_OtherRegulatoryAssetsMember | $ 5,577 us-gaap_RegulatoryAssets / us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetAxis = sjw_OtherRegulatoryAssetsMember

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- Definition The net amount of all regulatory assets less all regulatory liabilities as of the end of the period. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 980 -SubTopic 340 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6499975&loc=d3e44250-110382 + Details
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- Definition The amount for the individual regulatory asset as itemized in a table of regulatory assets as of the end of the period. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 980 -SubTopic 340 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6499975&loc=d3e44250-110382 + Details
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- Definition Carrying amount as of the balance sheet date of capitalized costs of regulated entities that are expected to be recovered through revenue sources within one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer. Such costs are capitalized if they meet both of the following criteria: a. It is probable that future revenue in an amount at least equal to the capitalized cost will result from inclusion of that cost in allowable costs for rate-making purposes. b. Based on available evidence, the future revenue will be provided to permit recovery of the previously incurred cost rather than to provide for expected levels of similar future costs. If the revenue will be provided through an automatic rate-adjustment clause, this criterion requires that the regulator's intent clearly be to permit recovery of the previously incurred cost. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 980 -SubTopic 340 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6499975&loc=d3e44250-110382 + Details
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- Definition Carrying amount as of the balance sheet date of capitalized costs of regulated entities that are not expected to be recovered through revenue sources within one year or the normal operating cycle if longer. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 980 -SubTopic 340 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6499975&loc=d3e44250-110382 + Details
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