Name:	cwt_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingBenefitObligationCostOfLivingAdjustment
Namespace Prefix:	cwt_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

An assumption as to the rate of return on plan assets reflecting the average rate of earnings expected on the funds invested or to be invested included in the benefit obligation.

No definition available.

Name:	cwt_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingBenefitObligationExpectedLongTermReturnOnAssets
Namespace Prefix:	cwt_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

Weighted average rate for present value of future retirement benefits cash flows, used to determine benefit obligation of defined benefit plan.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 715
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (k)(1)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=118255775&loc=d3e1928-114920

Name:	us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingBenefitObligationDiscountRate
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

Weighted average rate increase of compensation, used to determine benefit obligation of defined benefit plan. Plan includes, but is not limited to, pay-related defined benefit plan.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 715
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (k)(2)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=118255775&loc=d3e1928-114920

Name:	us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingBenefitObligationRateOfCompensationIncrease
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

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.

No definition available.