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Balancing and Memorandum Account Recovery Procedures (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified | 0 Months Ended | 3 Months Ended |  |
--- | --- | --- | --- | ---
Mar. 27, 2015 | Mar. 31, 2015 | Mar. 31, 2014 | Mar. 26, 2015 | Jan. 05, 2015
Memorandum Accounts [Roll Forward] |  |  |  |  |
Beginning Balance |  | $ (1,377)sjw_MemorandumAccountNet | $ (1,896)sjw_MemorandumAccountNet |  |
Revenue Increase(Reduction) |  | 423 sjw_MemorandumAccountRevenueIncreaseReduction | 197 sjw_MemorandumAccountRevenueIncreaseReduction |  |
Refunds (Collections) |  | 165 sjw_MemorandumAccountRefundsCollections | 0 sjw_MemorandumAccountRefundsCollections |  |
Ending Balance |  | (789)sjw_MemorandumAccountNet | (1,699)sjw_MemorandumAccountNet |  |
Balancing Accounts [Roll Forward] |  |  |  |  |
Beginning Balance |  | 48,438 sjw_BalancingAccountNet | 9,585 sjw_BalancingAccountNet |  |
Revenue Increase(Reduction) |  | 1,144 sjw_BalancingAccountRevenueIncreaseReduction | (607)sjw_BalancingAccountRevenueIncreaseReduction |  |
Refunds (Collections) |  | (3,224)sjw_BalancingAccountRefundsCollections | 0 sjw_BalancingAccountRefundsCollections |  |
Ending Balance |  | 46,358 sjw_BalancingAccountNet | 8,978 sjw_BalancingAccountNet |  |
Balancing and Memorandum Account [Roll Forward] |  |  |  |  |
Beginning Balance |  | 47,061 sjw_BalancingAndMemorandumAccountNet | 7,689 sjw_BalancingAndMemorandumAccountNet |  |
Revenue Increase(Reduction) |  | 1,567 sjw_BalancingandMemorandumAccountRevenueIncreaseReductionNet | (410)sjw_BalancingandMemorandumAccountRevenueIncreaseReductionNet |  |
Refunds (Collections) |  | (3,059)sjw_BalancingandMemorandumAccountRefundsCollections | 0 sjw_BalancingandMemorandumAccountRefundsCollections |  |
Ending Balance |  | 45,569 sjw_BalancingAndMemorandumAccountNet | 7,279 sjw_BalancingAndMemorandumAccountNet |  |
Authorized Regulatory Surcharge, Gross | 1,876 sjw_AuthorizedRegulatorySurchargeGross |  |  |  |
Net under-collected balancing and memorandum accounts |  | 8,115 sjw_RegulatoryBalancingandMemorandumAccountsNetUnderCollected |  |  |
Memorandum Account, Recovery Request |  |  |  | 9,567 sjw_MemorandumAccountRecoveryRequest | 976 sjw_MemorandumAccountRecoveryRequest
Water supply balancing accounts |  |  |  |  |
Balancing Accounts [Roll Forward] |  |  |  |  |
Beginning Balance |  | 890 sjw_BalancingAccountNet / us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetAxis = sjw_WaterSupplyBalancingAccountsMember | (2,378)sjw_BalancingAccountNet / us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetAxis = sjw_WaterSupplyBalancingAccountsMember |  |
Revenue Increase(Reduction) |  | (12)sjw_BalancingAccountRevenueIncreaseReduction / us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetAxis = sjw_WaterSupplyBalancingAccountsMember | (394)sjw_BalancingAccountRevenueIncreaseReduction / us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetAxis = sjw_WaterSupplyBalancingAccountsMember |  |
Refunds (Collections) |  | (53)sjw_BalancingAccountRefundsCollections / us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetAxis = sjw_WaterSupplyBalancingAccountsMember | 0 sjw_BalancingAccountRefundsCollections / us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetAxis = sjw_WaterSupplyBalancingAccountsMember |  |
Ending Balance |  | 825 sjw_BalancingAccountNet / us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetAxis = sjw_WaterSupplyBalancingAccountsMember | (2,772)sjw_BalancingAccountNet / us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetAxis = sjw_WaterSupplyBalancingAccountsMember |  |
Pension balancing account |  |  |  |  |
Balancing Accounts [Roll Forward] |  |  |  |  |
Beginning Balance |  | 1,412 sjw_BalancingAccountNet / us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetAxis = sjw_PensionBalancingAccountMember | 9,734 sjw_BalancingAccountNet / us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetAxis = sjw_PensionBalancingAccountMember |  |
Revenue Increase(Reduction) |  | (606)sjw_BalancingAccountRevenueIncreaseReduction / us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetAxis = sjw_PensionBalancingAccountMember | 31 sjw_BalancingAccountRevenueIncreaseReduction / us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetAxis = sjw_PensionBalancingAccountMember |  |
Refunds (Collections) |  | (383)sjw_BalancingAccountRefundsCollections / us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetAxis = sjw_PensionBalancingAccountMember | 0 sjw_BalancingAccountRefundsCollections / us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetAxis = sjw_PensionBalancingAccountMember |  |
Ending Balance |  | 423 sjw_BalancingAccountNet / us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetAxis = sjw_PensionBalancingAccountMember | 9,765 sjw_BalancingAccountNet / us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetAxis = sjw_PensionBalancingAccountMember |  |
Balancing and memorandum accounts, net |  |  |  |  |
Balancing Accounts [Roll Forward] |  |  |  |  |
Beginning Balance |  | 44,400 sjw_BalancingAccountNet / us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetAxis = sjw_A2012GeneralRateCaseTrueupMember | 0 sjw_BalancingAccountNet / us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetAxis = sjw_A2012GeneralRateCaseTrueupMember |  |
Revenue Increase(Reduction) |  | 1,876 sjw_BalancingAccountRevenueIncreaseReduction / us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetAxis = sjw_A2012GeneralRateCaseTrueupMember | 0 sjw_BalancingAccountRevenueIncreaseReduction / us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetAxis = sjw_A2012GeneralRateCaseTrueupMember |  |
Refunds (Collections) |  | (2,759)sjw_BalancingAccountRefundsCollections / us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetAxis = sjw_A2012GeneralRateCaseTrueupMember | 0 sjw_BalancingAccountRefundsCollections / us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetAxis = sjw_A2012GeneralRateCaseTrueupMember |  |
Ending Balance |  | 43,517 sjw_BalancingAccountNet / us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetAxis = sjw_A2012GeneralRateCaseTrueupMember | 0 sjw_BalancingAccountNet / us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetAxis = sjw_A2012GeneralRateCaseTrueupMember |  |
Other, net |  |  |  |  |
Balancing Accounts [Roll Forward] |  |  |  |  |
Beginning Balance |  | 1,736 sjw_BalancingAccountNet / us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetAxis = sjw_OtherRegulatoryAssetsMember | 2,229 sjw_BalancingAccountNet / us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetAxis = sjw_OtherRegulatoryAssetsMember |  |
Revenue Increase(Reduction) |  | (114)sjw_BalancingAccountRevenueIncreaseReduction / us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetAxis = sjw_OtherRegulatoryAssetsMember | (244)sjw_BalancingAccountRevenueIncreaseReduction / us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetAxis = sjw_OtherRegulatoryAssetsMember |  |
Refunds (Collections) |  | (29)sjw_BalancingAccountRefundsCollections / us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetAxis = sjw_OtherRegulatoryAssetsMember | 0 sjw_BalancingAccountRefundsCollections / us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetAxis = sjw_OtherRegulatoryAssetsMember |  |
Ending Balance |  | $ 1,593 sjw_BalancingAccountNet / us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetAxis = sjw_OtherRegulatoryAssetsMember | $ 1,985 sjw_BalancingAccountNet / us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetAxis = sjw_OtherRegulatoryAssetsMember |  |

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- Definition Authorized Regulatory Surcharge, Gross + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | sjw_AuthorizedRegulatorySurchargeGross
Namespace Prefix: | sjw_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition This represents the under-collection or over-collection associated with expense changes and the revenue authorized by the CPUC to offset those expense changes. Pursuant to Section 792.5 of the California Public Utilities Code, a balancing account must be maintained for expense items for which revenue offsets have been authorized. Since the amounts in the balancing accounts must be approved by the CPUC before they can be incorporated into rates, the Company does not recognize balancing accounts in its revenue until CPUC approval occurs. It is typical for the CPUC to incorporate any over-collected and/or under-collected balances in balancing accounts into customer rates at the time rate decisions are made as part of the Company’s general rate case proceedings by assessing temporary surcredits and/or surcharges. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | sjw_BalancingAccountNet
Namespace Prefix: | sjw_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Balancing Account, Refunds (Collections) + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | sjw_BalancingAccountRefundsCollections
Namespace Prefix: | sjw_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Balancing Account, Revenue Increase (Reduction) + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | sjw_BalancingAccountRevenueIncreaseReduction
Namespace Prefix: | sjw_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Details
Name: | sjw_BalancingAccountsRollForward
Namespace Prefix: | sjw_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Balancing and Memorandum Account, Net + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | sjw_BalancingAndMemorandumAccountNet
Namespace Prefix: | sjw_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Balancing and Memorandum Account, Refunds (Collections) + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | sjw_BalancingandMemorandumAccountRefundsCollections
Namespace Prefix: | sjw_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Balancing and Memorandum Account, Revenue Increase (Reduction), Net + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | sjw_BalancingandMemorandumAccountRevenueIncreaseReductionNet
Namespace Prefix: | sjw_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Details
Name: | sjw_BalancingandMemorandumAccountRollForward
Namespace Prefix: | sjw_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition This represents the memorandum accounts that track under-collection or over-collection for approved activities as directed by the CPUC. Rate recovery for these memorandum accounts is generally allowed in the next general rate cases. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | sjw_MemorandumAccountNet
Namespace Prefix: | sjw_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition A request to the regulatory authority for authorization to refund over (under) collected amounts. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | sjw_MemorandumAccountRecoveryRequest
Namespace Prefix: | sjw_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Memorandum Account, Refunds (Collections) + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | sjw_MemorandumAccountRefundsCollections
Namespace Prefix: | sjw_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Memorandum Account, Revenue Increase (Reduction) + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | sjw_MemorandumAccountRevenueIncreaseReduction
Namespace Prefix: | sjw_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

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- Details
Name: | sjw_MemorandumAccountsRollForward
Namespace Prefix: | sjw_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

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- Definition Regulatory Balancing and Memorandum Accounts,, Net Under-Collected + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | sjw_RegulatoryBalancingandMemorandumAccountsNetUnderCollected
Namespace Prefix: | sjw_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

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- Details
Name: | us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetAxis=sjw_A2012GeneralRateCaseTrueupMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetAxis=sjw_OtherRegulatoryAssetsMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

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- Details
Name: | us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetAxis=sjw_PensionBalancingAccountMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

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- Details
Name: | us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetAxis=sjw_WaterSupplyBalancingAccountsMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |