COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES - Narrative (Details) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2023 USD ($) acrefoot entity $ / acrefoot	Dec. 31, 2022 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2021 USD ($)
Long-term purchase commitments - other disclosures
Purchased water	$ 223,833	$ 224,529	$ 225,020
Operating lease renewal term	25 years
Finance lease renewal term	25 years
Contingency loss recognized liability	$ 6,000
Supply Commitment | Camino Real
Long-term purchase commitments - other disclosures
Payments for other commitments	43,800	21,500
Additional payments for other commitments	$ 22,300
Minimum
Long-term purchase commitments - other disclosures
Operating lease term	1 year
Finance lease term	1 year
Maximum
Long-term purchase commitments - other disclosures
Operating lease term	50 years
Finance lease term	50 years
Kern County Water Agency (Agency)
Long-term purchase commitments - other disclosures
Total capital facilities charge and treated water charge obligation per acre foot | $ / acrefoot	560.22
Portion of estimated operating cost per acre foot for treated water delivered | $ / acrefoot	51.69
Santa Clara Valley Water District
Long-term purchase commitments - other disclosures
Payments to suppliers	$ 12,600	11,300	11,900
Stockton East Water District (SEWD)
Long-term purchase commitments - other disclosures
Payments to suppliers	$ 11,500	$ 15,300	$ 12,900
Kern County Water Agency (Agency)
Long-term purchase commitments - other disclosures
Minimum acre feet of treated water to be purchased per year over life of contract | acrefoot	20,500
Minimum acre feet of treated water to be purchased under prior agreement | acrefoot	11,500
Number of other parties obligated to purchase treated water | entity	3
Minimum acre feet of treated water to be purchased per year by other parties | acrefoot	32,500
Recorded unconditional purchase obligation	$ 82,400
Purchased water	11,500
Water production costs	$ 4,700
Kern County Water Agency (Agency) | Guarantee Type, Other
Long-term purchase commitments - other disclosures
Unrecorded unconditional purchase obligation, minimum quantity required | acrefoot	20,500