ACQUISITIONS (Details) (Water utility systems, Cal Water, USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2009 system
Water utility systems \| Cal Water
Acquisitions
Number of businesses acquired	2
Cash assumed	$ 457
Obligation to fund future capital projects	$ 457

Fair Value of the liabilities incurred by the acquirer to former owners of the acquiree, including the fair value of any contingent consideration. If liabilities transferred as consideration remain within the combined entity after the business combination (for example, because the assets or liabilities were transferred to the acquiree rather than to its former owners), and the acquirer therefore retains control of them; in that situation, the acquirer measures those liabilities at their carrying amounts immediately before the acquisition date.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

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-Name Accounting Standards Codification

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Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

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Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

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-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

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-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

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-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

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