Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010
OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income	$ 14,276	$ 16,288
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	23,389	21,263
Deferred income taxes	11,421	931
Share-based compensation	513	632
Loss on sale of utility property	23	0
Gain on sale of California Water Service Group investment	0	(4,466)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable and accrued unbilled utility revenue	(12,756)	(12,200)
Accounts payable, purchased power and other current liabilities	28	415
Accrued groundwater extraction charges and purchased water	4,559	3,727
Accrued taxes	4,809	2,625
Accrued interest	196	(191)
Accrued payroll	650	671
Postretirement benefits	2,421	2,734
Other charges, net	(512)	743
NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES	49,017	33,172
INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Company funded	(43,346)	(70,448)
Contributions in aid of construction	(5,281)	(2,884)
Additions to real estate investment	(165)	(3,286)
Payments for business acquisition and water rights	(2,065)	(2,892)
Cost to retire utility plant, net of salvage	(1,702)	(327)
Proceeds from sale of utility property	43	0
Proceeds from sale of California Water Service Group investment	0	8,147
NET CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES	(52,516)	(71,690)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Borrowings from line of credit	17,600	49,300
Repayments of line of credit	(16,100)	(51,600)
Long-term borrowings	50,000	49,852
Repayments of long-term borrowings	(925)	(577)
Debt issuance costs	(87)	(852)
Dividends paid	(9,616)	(9,451)
Exercise of stock options and similar instruments	547	544
Tax benefits realized from share options exercised	7	4
Receipts of advances and contributions in aid of construction	5,043	4,830
Refund of advances for construction	(1,631)	(1,613)
NET CASH PROVIDED BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES	44,838	40,437
NET CHANGE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS	41,339	1,919
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF PERIOD	1,730	1,416
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD	43,069	3,335
Cash paid (received) during the period for:
Interest	14,812	13,686
Income taxes	(5,269)	8,093
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash activities:
Change in accrued payables	1,518	15,424
Utility Property Installed by Developer	0	117
Loan proceeds held as restricted cash	$ 0	$ 148