Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income	$ 1,317	$ 1,109
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	9,200	8,691
Deferred income taxes	100	614
Share-based compensation	347	183
Gain on sale of real estate investment	(1,063)	0
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable and accrued unbilled utility revenue	938	1,015
Accounts payable, purchased power and other current liabilities	94	(401)
Accrued groundwater extraction charges and purchased water	1,442	(459)
Tax receivable and accrued taxes	1,281	404
Other current asset	(813)	718
Postretirement benefits	2,490	1,482
Regulatory asset related to balancing and memorandum accounts	(1,008)	0
Other changes, net	106	1,411
NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES	14,431	14,767
INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Company-funded	(17,380)	(17,467)
Contributions in aid of construction	(2,698)	(864)
Additions to real estate investments	(1,194)	0
Payments for business/asset acquisition and water rights	(1,087)	(1,485)
Cost to retire utility plant, net of salvage	(878)	(38)
Proceeds from sale of real estate investment	8,831	0
NET CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES	(14,406)	(19,854)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Borrowings from line of credit	12,300	0
Repayments of line of credit	(5,500)	0
Repayments of long-term borrowings	(4,975)	(241)
Dividends paid	(3,412)	(3,305)
Exercise of stock options and similar instruments	345	309
Tax benefits realized from share options exercised	30	0
Receipts of advances and contributions in aid of construction	1,240	1,280
Refunds of advances for construction	(430)	(429)
NET CASH (USED IN) PROVIDED BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES	(402)	(2,386)
NET CHANGE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS	(377)	(7,473)
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF PERIOD	2,522	26,734
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD	2,145	19,261
Cash paid (received) during the period for:
Interest	5,073	5,143
Income taxes	13	0
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash activities:
Increase in accrued payables for construction costs capitalized	1,963	3,387
Utility property installed by developers	(111)	0
Increase in real estate investments due to accrued tenant improvements	921	0
Accrued intangible assets and other changes related to water supply project in Texas	$ 2,621	$ 0