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EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS (Details) (USD $)
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2012
Dec. 31, 2011
Dec. 31, 2010
401(k) Plan [Abstract]      
Gross pay rate of matched employee contributions (in hundredths) 50.00%    
Percentages of additional contribution of eligible salaries and wages by Artesian Resources (in hundredths) 3.00%    
Supplemental Pension Plan [Abstract]      
Minimum ages required for additional benefits to individuals 50    
Term of matching contribution 5 years    
Change in Accumulated Postretirement Benefit Obligation [Abstract]      
Accumulated Postretirement Benefit Obligation at the Beginning of the Year $ 724,000 $ 678,000  
Service Cost 0 0  
Interest Cost 30,000 35,000  
Actuarial (Gain) or Loss 130,000 123,000  
Benefits Paid (125,000) (117,000)  
Plan Participant's Contributions 5,000 5,000  
Accumulated Postretirement Benefit Obligation at the End of the Year 764,000 724,000  
Change in Plan Assets [Abstract]      
Fair Value of Plan Assets at the Beginning of the Year 0 0  
Benefits Paid (125,000) (117,000)  
Employer Contributions 120,000 112,000  
Plan Participant's Contributions 5,000 5,000  
Fair Value of Assets at the End of the Year 0 0  
Net Amount Recognized [Abstract]      
Funded Status (764,000) (723,000)  
Unrecognized Transition Obligation Asset 9,000 17,000  
Unrecognized Net Gain or Loss 258,000 139,000  
Net Amount Recognized: (497,000) (567,000)  
Amounts Recognized in the Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]      
Accrued Benefit Liability-Current (123,000) (112,000)  
Accrued Benefit Liability-Noncurrent (374,000) (455,000)  
Net Amount Recognized (497,000) (567,000)  
Weighted Average Assumptions at the End of the Year [Abstract]      
Discount Rate (in hundredths) 4.00% 4.50%  
Assumed Health Care Cost Trend Rates [Abstract]      
Health Care Cost Trend Rate Assumed for Next Year (in hundredths) 6.00% 7.00%  
Ultimate Rate (in hundredths) 3.50% 3.50%  
Year that the Ultimate Rate is Reached 2016 2016  
Impact of One-Percentage-Point Change in Assumed Health Care Cost Trend Rates [Abstract]      
Effect on Service Cost & Interest Cost, Increase 1    
Effect on Service Cost & Interest Cost, Decrease (1)    
Effect on Postretirement Benefit Obligation, Increase 28    
Effect on Postretirement Benefit Obligation, Decrease (26)    
Expected contributions in next fiscal year by employer 123,300    
Summary of annual benefits expected to be paid [Abstract]      
2013 123,000    
2014 115,000    
2015 105,000    
2016 94,000    
2017 83,000    
2018 through 2022 271,000    
Total 791,000    
401(k) Plan [Member] | Artesian Resources [Member]
      
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]      
Percentages of contribution of eligible salaries and wages by Artesian Resources (in hundredths) 2.00%    
Percentages of matched employee contributions (in hundredths) 6.00%    
Entity contributions and administrative fees 771,000 719,000 681,000
Supplemental Pension Plan [Member] | Artesian Water [Member]
      
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]      
Percentages of contribution of eligible salaries and wages by Artesian Resources (in hundredths) 2.00%    
Percentages of matched employee contributions (in hundredths) 6.00%    
Entity contributions and administrative fees 266,000 264,000 263,000
Supplemental Pension Plan [Member] | Artesian Water [Member] | Employee Period of Service 1 [Member]
      
Supplemental Pension Plan [Abstract]      
Contribution per dollar deferred 3    
Supplemental Pension Plan [Member] | Artesian Water [Member] | Employee Service Period 2 [Member]
      
Supplemental Pension Plan [Abstract]      
Contribution per dollar deferred 4    
Supplemental Pension Plan [Member] | Artesian Water [Member] | Employee Service Period 3 [Member]
      
Supplemental Pension Plan [Abstract]      
Contribution per dollar deferred 5    
Postretirement Benefit Plan [Member] | Artesian Water [Member]
      
Postretirement Benefit Plan [Abstract]      
Expense incurred under the plan $ 120,000 $ 112,000 $ 115,000