Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011
OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income	$ 1,109	$ 610
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	8,691	8,176
Deferred income taxes	614	3,273
Share-based compensation	183	202
Loss on sale of utility property	0	23
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable and accrued unbilled utility revenue	1,015	3,208
Accounts payable, purchased power and other current liabilities	(401)	(927)
Accrued groundwater extraction charges and purchased water	(459)	(638)
Tax receivable and accrued taxes	404	(3,551)
Accrued interest	164	(347)
Accrued payroll	180	105
Other current asset	718	0
Postretirement benefits	1,482	1,035
Other charges, net	1,067	367
NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES	14,767	11,536
INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Company-funded	(17,467)	(12,122)
Contributions in aid of construction	(864)	(723)
Additions to real estate investment	0	(19)
Payments for business/asset acquisition and water rights	(1,485)	(1,078)
Cost to retire utility plant, net of salvage	(38)	(883)
Proceeds from sale of utility property	0	43
NET CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES	(19,854)	(14,782)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Borrowings from line of credit	0	7,500
Repayments of long-term borrowings	(241)	(543)
Debt issuance costs	0	(87)
Dividends paid	(3,305)	(3,205)
Exercise of stock options and similar instruments	309	254
Tax benefits realized from share options exercised	0	8
Receipts of advances and contributions in aid of construction	1,280	370
Refunds of advances for construction	(429)	(427)
NET CASH (USED IN) PROVIDED BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES	(2,386)	3,870
NET CHANGE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS	(7,473)	624
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF PERIOD	26,734	1,730
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD	19,261	2,354
Cash paid during the period for:
Interest	5,143	5,186
Income taxes	0	850
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash activities:
Increase in accrued payables for construction costs capitalized	$ 3,387	$ 5,625