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Components of Exchange Gas Receivable (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016
Receivables [Line Items]
Total Exchange Gas Receivable	$ 9.5	$ 8.3	$ 9.8
Northern Utilities Inc
Receivables [Line Items]
Total Exchange Gas Receivable	8.9	7.8	9.3
Fitchburg Gas and Electric Light Company
Receivables [Line Items]
Total Exchange Gas Receivable	$ 0.6	$ 0.5	$ 0.5

X

- Definition

Amount, after allowance, of receivables classified as other, due within one year or the operating cycle, if longer.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_OtherReceivablesNetCurrent
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

X

- Definition

Line items represent receivables.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	utl_ReceivablesLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	utl_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

X

- Details

Name:	dei_LegalEntityAxis=utl_NorthernUtilitiesIncMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

X

- Details

Name:	dei_LegalEntityAxis=utl_FitchburgGasAndElectricLightCompanyMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type: