COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Details 2) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Capital Lease Obligations
2012	$ 1,109,000
2013	1,109,000
2014	1,109,000
2015	1,109,000
2016	1,109,000
Thereafter	9,718,000
Water Contracts
Future minimum commitments
2012	18,718,000
2013	18,793,000
2014	18,865,000
2015	18,939,000
2016	19,011,000
Thereafter	451,417,000
Santa Clara Valley Water District
Long-term purchase commitments - other disclosures
Annual cost	5,524,000	5,306,000	5,420,000
Stockton East Water District (SEWD)
Long-term purchase commitments - other disclosures
Annual cost	6,658,000	6,159,000	5,505,000
Kern County Water Agency (Agency)
Long-term purchase commitments - other disclosures
Annual cost	6,129,000	5,454,000	5,514,000
Minimum acre feet of treated water to be purchased under prior agreement	11,500
Number of other parties obligated to purchase treated water	3
Minimum acre feet of treated water to be purchased per year by other parties	32,500
Total obligation of all parties, excluding the Company	82,400,000
Total capital facilities charge and treated water charge obligation	6,993,000
Total capital facilities charge and treated water charge obligation per acre foot	341,000
Annual capital facilities charge	3,600,000
Total treated water charge	2,436,000
Portion of estimated operating cost per acre foot for treated water delivered	$ 7,000
Kern County Water Agency (Agency) | Minimum
Long-term purchase commitments - other disclosures
Minimum acre feet of treated water to be purchased per year over life of contract	17,500
Kern County Water Agency (Agency) | Maximum
Long-term purchase commitments - other disclosures
Minimum acre feet of treated water to be purchased per year over life of contract	20,500