INCOME TAXES (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

INCOME TAXES.

Schedule of income tax expense

	Federal		State		Total
2011
Current	$	7,413	$	2,629	$	10,042
Deferred		12,982		142		13,124
Total	$	20,395	$	2,771	$	23,166
2010
Current	$	4,027	$	3,020	$	7,047
Deferred		15,730		1,779		17,509
Total	$	19,757	$	4,799	$	24,556
2009
Current	$	10,105	$	4,382	$	14,487
Deferred		12,056		819		12,875
Total	$	22,161	$	5,201	$	27,362

Schedule of differences in income tax expense computed by applying the current federal tax rate to pretax book income and the amount shown in the Consolidated Statements of Income

	2011			2010			2009
Computed "expected" tax expense	$	21,308		$	21,774		$	23,771
Increase (reduction) in taxes due to:
State income taxes net of federal tax benefit		3,500			3,577			3,903
Investment tax credits		(74	)		(74	)		(32	)
Other		(1,568	)		(721	)		(280	)
Total income tax	$	23,166		$	24,556		$	27,362

Schedule of tax effects of differences that give rise to significant portions of the deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities

	2011		2010
Deferred tax assets:
Developer deposits for extension agreements and contributions in aid of construction	$	45,587	$	46,421
Other		4,464		4,378
Total deferred tax assets		50,051		50,799
Deferred tax liabilities:
Utility plant, principally due to depreciation differences		155,916		143,165
WRAM/MCBA balancing accounts		17,393		13,463
Other		3,645		5,977
Total deferred tax liabilities		176,954		162,605
Net deferred tax liabilities	$	126,903	$	111,806

Schedule of reconciliation of changes in unrecognized tax benefits (at gross)

	December 31, 2011
Balance at beginning of year	$	2,040
Additions for tax positions taken during prior year		—
Additions for tax positions taken during current year		—
Reductions for tax positions taken during a prior year		—
Lapse of statute of limitations		—
Balance at end of year	$	2,040