Amount of benefits expected to be paid from a defined benefit plan.

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Additional percentage of employee gross pay, by the terms of the plan, that the employer may contribute to a defined contribution plan.

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No definition available.

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Represents matching amount for one dollar of eligible salaries and wages deferred.

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Represents gross pay rate of matched employee contributions.

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Represents minimum age required for additional benefits to individuals.

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No definition available.

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Represents the period of time eligible individuals have the opportunity to receive a transition matching contribution from the entity.

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No definition available.

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Amount of gain (loss) related to change in benefit obligation resulting from changes in actuarial assumptions, for example, but not limited to, interest, mortality, employee turnover, salary, and temporary deviation from the substantive plan.

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The aggregate net amount recognized in the balance sheet associated with the defined benefit plan(s). Will normally be the same as the Defined Benefit Plan, Funded Status of Plan, Total.

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The interest rate used to adjust for the time value of money for the plan.

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Disclosure under FAS 132R, before it was amended by FAS 158, of the cumulative net gain (loss) that has not yet been recognized as a part of net periodic benefit cost.

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Disclosure under FAS 132R, before it was amended by FAS 158, of the net unamortized portion of the transition obligations (assets) that existed at the initial date of application of FAS 87 and FAS 106, which are the net transition amounts that have not yet been recognized as components of net periodic benefits cost.

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1) For defined benefit pension plans, the benefit obligation is the projected benefit obligation, which is the actuarial present value as of a date of all benefits attributed by the pension benefit formula to employee service rendered prior to that date. 2) For other postretirement defined benefit plans, the benefit obligation is the accumulated postretirement benefit obligation, which is the actuarial present value of benefits attributed to employee service rendered to a particular date.

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The amount of payments made for which participants are entitled under a pension plan, including pension benefits, death benefits, and benefits due on termination of employment. Also includes payments made under a postretirement benefit plan, including prescription drug benefits, health care benefits, life insurance benefits, and legal, educational and advisory services. This item represents a periodic decrease to the plan obligations and a decrease to plan assets.

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A roll forward is a reconciliation of a concept from the beginning of a period to the end of a period.

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No definition available.

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A roll forward is a reconciliation of a concept from the beginning of a period to the end of a period.

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The increase in the fair value of plan assets from contributions made by the employer.

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The amount of contributions made by plan participants. This item represents a periodic increase to the plan obligation and an increase to plan assets.

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Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.

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No definition available.

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- References

No definition available.

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Amount of effect of a one-percentage-point decrease in the assumed health care cost trend rates on the accumulated postretirement benefit obligation for health care benefits.

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Amount of effect of a one-percentage-point decrease in the assumed health care cost trend rates on the aggregate of the service and interest cost components of net periodic postretirement health care benefit costs.

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The effect of a one-percentage-point increase in the assumed health care cost trend rates on the accumulated postretirement benefit obligation for health care benefits.

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The effect of a one-percentage-point increase in the assumed health care cost trend rates on the aggregate of the service and interest cost components of net periodic postretirement health care benefit costs.

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No definition available.

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Amount of benefits from a defined benefit plan expected to be paid in the five fiscal years after the fifth fiscal year following the latest fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported on a rolling approach, from latest balance sheet date.

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Amount of benefits from a defined benefit plan expected to be paid in the next fiscal year following the latest fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported on a rolling approach, from latest balance sheet date.

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Amount of benefits from a defined benefit plan expected to be paid in the fifth fiscal year following the latest fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported on a rolling approach, from latest balance sheet date.

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Amount of benefits from a defined benefit plan expected to be paid in the fourth fiscal year following the latest fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported on a rolling approach, from latest balance sheet date.

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Amount of benefits from a defined benefit plan expected to be paid in the third fiscal year following the latest fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported on a rolling approach, from latest balance sheet date.

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Amount of benefits from a defined benefit plan expected to be paid in the second fiscal year following the latest fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported on a rolling approach, from latest balance sheet date.

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Assets, usually stocks, bonds, and other investments, that have been segregated and restricted (usually in a trust) to provide benefits, at their fair value as of the measurement date. Plan assets include amounts contributed by the employer (and by employees for a contributory plan) and amounts earned from investing the contributions, less benefits paid. If a plan has liabilities other than for benefits, those non-benefit obligations may be considered as reductions of plan assets.

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The funded status is measured as the difference between the fair value of plan assets and the benefit obligation. Will normally be the same as the net Defined Benefit Plan, Amounts Recognized in Balance Sheet, Total.

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The assumed health care cost trend rate for the next year used to measure the expected cost of benefits covered by the plan (gross eligible charges). This is based upon the annual rate of change in the cost of health care benefits currently provided by the postretirement benefit plan, due to factors other than changes in the composition of the plan population by age and dependency status.

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The increase in a defined benefit pension plan's projected benefit obligation or a defined benefit postretirement plan's accumulated postretirement benefit obligation due to the passage of time.

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The actuarial present value of benefits attributed by the pension benefit formula to services rendered by employees during the period. The portion of the expected postretirement benefit obligation attributed to employee service during the period. The service cost component is a portion of the benefit obligation and is unaffected by the funded status of the plan.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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The ultimate trend rate for health care costs.

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Year the ultimate health care cost trend rate is expected to be reached, in CCYY format.

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- Definition

Amount of employer's best estimate of contributions expected to be paid to the plan during the next fiscal year beginning after the date of the latest statement of financial position.

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- Definition

Amount of administrative expenses incurred by a defined contribution plan.

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Percentage of employees' gross pay for which the employer contributes a matching contribution to a defined contribution plan.

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Maximum percentage of employee gross pay the employee may contribute to a defined contribution plan.

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The increase (decrease) during the reporting period in the amount due to fund retirement benefits to employees, retired and disabled former employees.

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The amount of pension and other (such as medical, dental and life insurance) postretirement benefit costs recognized during the period for (1) defined benefit plans (periodic benefit costs include the following components: service cost, interest cost, expected return on plan assets, gain (loss) on assets, prior service cost or credit, transition asset or obligation, and gain (loss) due to settlements or curtailments) and for (2) defined contribution plans (to the extent that a plan's defined contributions to an individual's account are to be made for periods in which that individual renders services, the net cost for a period is the contribution called for in that period; if a plan calls for contributions for periods after an individual retires or terminates, the estimated cost is accrued during the employee's service period).

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-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=49170846&loc=d3e28014-114942

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- References

No definition available.

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- Definition

For a classified balance sheet, the amount recognized in balance sheet as a current liability associated with an underfunded defined benefit plan.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Glossary Current Liabilities
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6509677

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 715
-SubTopic 20
-Section 45
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=21915240&loc=d3e1703-114919

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 715
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (c)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=58740216&loc=d3e1928-114920

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- Definition

This represents the noncurrent liability for underfunded plans recognized in the balance sheet that is associated with the defined benefit pension plans and other postretirement defined benefit plans.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 715
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=58740216&loc=d3e2417-114920

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 715
-SubTopic 20
-Section 45
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=21915240&loc=d3e1703-114919

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 715
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (c)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=58740216&loc=d3e1928-114920

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.24)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

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-Topic 715
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=58740216&loc=d3e2410-114920

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EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS (Details)		12 Months Ended
EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS (Details)	Feb. 29, 2016 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($) Age	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2013 USD ($)
401(k) Plan [Abstract]
Gross pay rate of matched employee contributions		50.00%
Percentages of additional contribution of eligible salaries and wages by Artesian Resources		3.00%
Supplemental Pension Plan [Abstract]
Minimum age required for additional benefits to individuals \| Age		50
Term of matching contribution		5 years
Postretirement Benefit Plan [Abstract]
Reduction to Postretirement obligation plan	$ 100,000
Change in Accumulated Postretirement Benefit Obligation [Abstract]
Accumulated Postretirement Benefit Obligation at the Beginning of the Year		$ 666,000	$ 748,000
Service Cost		0	0
Interest Cost		22,000	27,000
Actuarial (Gain) or Loss		41,000	12,000
Benefits Paid		(117,000)	(126,000)
Plan Participant's Contributions		4,000	5,000
Accumulated Postretirement Benefit Obligation at the End of the Year		616,000	666,000	$ 748,000
Change in Plan Assets [Abstract]
Fair Value of Plan Assets at the Beginning of the Year		0	0
Benefits Paid		(117,000)	(126,000)
Employer Contributions		113,000	121,000
Plan Participant's Contributions		4,000	5,000
Fair Value of Assets at the End of the Year		0	0	0
Net Amount Recognized [Abstract]
Funded Status		(616,000)	(667,000)
Unrecognized Transition Obligation Asset		0	0
Unrecognized Net Gain or Loss		287,000	284,000
Net Amount Recognized		(329,000)	(383,000)
Amounts Recognized in the Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Accrued Benefit Liability-Current		(99,000)	(115,000)
Accrued Benefit Liability-Noncurrent		(230,000)	(268,000)
Net Amount Recognized		$ (329,000)	$ (383,000)
Weighted Average Assumptions at the End of the Year [Abstract]
Discount Rate		4.00%	3.65%
Assumed Health Care Cost Trend Rates [Abstract]
Health Care Cost Trend Rate Assumed for Next Year		4.50%	5.00%
Ultimate Rate		3.50%	3.50%
Year that the Ultimate Rate is Reached		2019	2018
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		23
Effect on Postretirement Benefit Obligation, Decrease		(21)
Expected contributions in next fiscal year by employer		99,000
Summary of annual benefits expected to be paid [Abstract]
2016		99,000
2017		92,000
2018		84,000
2019		76,000
2020		67,000
2021 through 2025		222,000
Total		$ 640,000
401(k) Plan [Member] \| Artesian Resources [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Percentages of contribution of eligible salaries and wages by Artesian Resources		2.00%
Percentages of matched employee contributions		6.00%
Entity contributions and administrative fees		$ 1,000,000	$ 808,000	768,000
401(k) Plan [Abstract]
Percentages of additional contribution of eligible salaries and wages by Artesian Resources		1.00%
Supplemental Pension Plan [Member] \| Artesian Water [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Percentages of contribution of eligible salaries and wages by Artesian Resources		2.00%
Percentages of matched employee contributions		6.00%
Entity contributions and administrative fees		$ 243,000	244,000	246,000
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		$ 113,000	$ 121,000	$ 126,000