SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Details 5) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Restricted Cash
Carrying value of restricted cash	$ 4,225,000	$ 1,183,000
Cal Water
Restricted Cash
Cal Water and a third party cash deposits	3,000,000
Proceeds collected through a surcharge on certain customers' bills	$ 1,200,000

- Definition

The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalent items which are restricted as to withdrawal or usage. Restrictions may include legally restricted deposits held as compensating balances against borrowing arrangements, contracts entered into with others, or entity statements of intention with regard to particular deposits; however, time deposits and short-term certificates of deposit are not generally included in legally restricted deposits. Excludes compensating balance arrangements that are not agreements which legally restrict the use of cash amounts shown on the balance sheet. This element is for unclassified presentations; for classified presentations there is a separate and distinct element.

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