Face (par) amount of debt instrument at time of issuance.

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 30
-Section 45
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=114775744&loc=d3e28551-108399

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 30
-Section 55
-Paragraph 8
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=114775985&loc=d3e28878-108400

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Contractual interest rate for funds borrowed, under the debt agreement.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22(a)(1))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Date when the debt instrument is scheduled to be fully repaid, in CCYY-MM-DD format.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22(a)(2))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 820
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (bbb)(2)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=117815213&loc=d3e19207-110258

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentMaturityDate
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:dateItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongTermDebtAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The cash inflow from additional borrowings, net of cash paid to third parties in connection with debt origination.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 14
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=118932676&loc=d3e3255-108585

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ProceedsFromDebtNetOfIssuanceCosts
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Bonds repaid by meeting the special provision that allows representatives of deceased beneficial owners to request redemption prior to the stated maturity of all or part of their interest in the bonds.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	yorw_BondsRedeemedThatMeetSpecialProvisions
Namespace Prefix:	yorw_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Maximum amount that can be redeemed in the aggregate per year for bonds that contain special redemption provisions that allow representatives of deceased beneficial owners to request redemption prior to the stated maturity of all or part of their interest in the bonds. Limits the company's exposure to the amount of redemption of special provision cases per year.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	yorw_DebtInstrumentMaximumAmountThatCanBeRedeemedInTheAggregatePerYear
Namespace Prefix:	yorw_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Maximum amount that can be redeemed per individual interest per year for bonds that contain special redemption provisions that allow representatives of deceased beneficial owners to request redemption prior to the stated maturity of all or part of their interest in the bonds. Limits the company's exposure to the amount of redemption of special provision cases per year.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	yorw_DebtInstrumentMaximumAmountThatCanBeRedeemedPerIndividualInterestPerYear
Namespace Prefix:	yorw_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=yorw_PennsylvaniaEconomicDevelopmentFinancingAuthorityExemptFacilitiesRevenueRefundingBondsSeries2014Due2038Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=yorw_SeniorNotesSeriesADue2019Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=yorw_SeniorNotesSeriesBDue2019Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=yorw_SeniorNotesDue2049Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=yorw_SeriesASeniorNotesAndSeriesBSeniorNotesDue2019Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=yorw_SeniorNotesDue2040Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=yorw_MonthlySeniorNotesSeries2010ADue2040Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=yorw_PedfaExemptFacilitiesRevenueRefundingBondsSeriesAOf2019Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=yorw_PedfaExemptFacilitiesRevenueRefundingBondsSeriesBOf2019Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=yorw_SeriesAAndSeriesBBondsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=yorw_IndustrialDevelopmentAuthorityRevenueMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Long-Term Debt and Short-Term Borrowings, Fixed Rate Long-Term Debt (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands				12 Months Ended
	Oct. 08, 2019	Oct. 01, 2019	Jan. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
4.50% PEDFA Exempt Facilities Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series 2014, due 2038 [Member]
Long-Term Debt [Abstract]
Maximum amount that can be redeemed per individual interest per year				$ 25
Maximum amount that can be redeemed in the aggregate per year				300
Bonds redeemed that meet special provisions				$ 0	$ 0
Face value	$ 14,870
Interest rate	4.50%			4.50%
Maturity date				Nov. 01, 2038
10.17% Senior Notes, Series A, due 2019 [Member]
Long-Term Debt [Abstract]
Interest rate			10.17%	10.17%
Maturity date				Feb. 01, 2019
9.60% Senior Notes, Series B, due 2019 [Member]
Long-Term Debt [Abstract]
Interest rate			9.60%	9.60%
Maturity date				Feb. 01, 2019
4.54% Senior Notes, due 2049 [Member]
Long-Term Debt [Abstract]
Face value			$ 20,000
Interest rate			4.54%	4.54%
Maturity date				Jan. 31, 2049
Proceeds from debt, net of issuance costs			$ 19,820
10.17% Series A Senior Notes and 9.60% Series B Senior Notes [Member]
Long-Term Debt [Abstract]
Face value			$ 11,000
3.23% Senior Notes, due 2040 [Member]
Long-Term Debt [Abstract]
Face value		$ 15,000
Interest rate		3.23%		3.23%
Maturity date				Oct. 01, 2040
Proceeds from debt, net of issuance costs		$ 14,888
5.00% Monthly Senior Notes, Series 2010A, due 2040 [Member]
Long-Term Debt [Abstract]
Face value		$ 15,000
Interest rate		5.00%		5.00%
Maturity date				Oct. 01, 2040
3.00% PEDFA Exempt Facilities Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series A of 2019, due 2036 [Member]
Long-Term Debt [Abstract]
Face value	$ 10,500
Interest rate	3.00%			3.00%
Maturity date				Oct. 01, 2036
3.10% PEDFA Exempt Facilities Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series B of 2019, due 2038 [Member]
Long-Term Debt [Abstract]
Face value	$ 14,870
Interest rate	3.10%			3.10%
Maturity date				Nov. 01, 2038
Series A and Series B Bonds [Member]
Long-Term Debt [Abstract]
Proceeds from debt, net of issuance costs	$ 25,049
4.75% York County Industrial Development Authority Revenue Bonds, Series 2006, due 2036 [Member]
Long-Term Debt [Abstract]
Face value	$ 10,500
Interest rate	4.75%			4.75%
Maturity date				Oct. 01, 2036