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Long-Term Debt Narrative (Details) | 12 Months Ended |
--- | --- | ---
Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($)
Long-term debt | $ 384,316,000 | $ 384,949,000
Significant Observable Inputs (Level 2) |  |
Fair value of long-term debt | 500,035,000 | 460,171,000
Senior Notes [Member] |  |
Long-term debt | $ 315,000,000 | 315,000,000
San Jose Water Company [Member] | Senior Notes [Member] |  |
Ratio of indebtedness to total capital | 0.6666 |
Ratio of net income available for interest charges for the trailing 12-month calendar period to interest charges | 1.75 |
San Jose Water Company [Member] | Senior Notes [Member] | Series A [Member] |  |
Long-term debt | $ 20,000,000 | 20,000,000
Stated interest rates | 8.58% |
San Jose Water Company [Member] | Senior Notes [Member] | Series L [Member] |  |
Long-term debt | $ 50,000,000 | 50,000,000
Stated interest rates | 5.14% |
SJWTX,Inc. dba Canyon Lake Water Supply Corporation [Member] | Senior Notes [Member] | Series A [Member] |  |
Long-term debt | $ 15,000,000 | 15,000,000
Stated interest rates | 6.27% |
Ratio of indebtedness to total capital | 0.6666 |
Ratio of net income available for interest charges for the trailing 12-month calendar period to interest charges | 1.75 |
SJW Corp. [Member] | Senior Notes [Member] | Series A [Member] |  |
Long-term debt | $ 50,000,000 | $ 50,000,000
Stated interest rates | 4.35% |
Ratio of indebtedness to total capital | 0.6666 |
Minimum net worth required for compliance | $ 175,000,000 |
Cumulative net income, percentage included in net worth for compliance | 30.00% |
SJW Corp. [Member] | Senior Notes [Member] | Series A [Member] | Financial Guarantee [Member] |  |
Ratio of indebtedness to total capital | 0.6666 |
Minimum net worth required for compliance | $ 125,000,000 |
SJW Corp. [Member] | Senior Notes [Member] | Series A [Member] | Financial Guarantee [Member] | Minimum [Member] |  |
Cumulative net income, percentage included in net worth for compliance | 30.00% |

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