Consolidated Statements of Capitalization (USD $) In Thousands	Jun. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Aqua America stockholders' equity:
Common stock, $.50 par value	$ 69,552	$ 69,223
Capital in excess of par value	676,888	664,369
Retained earnings	477,574	452,470
Treasury stock, at cost	(12,980)	(12,307)
Accumulated other comprehensive income	522	499
Total Aqua America stockholders' equity	1,211,556	1,174,254
Noncontrolling interest	581	572
Total equity	1,212,137	1,174,826
Long-term debt of subsidiaries (substantially secured by utility plant):
Long-term debt	1,061,895	1,060,257
Notes payable to bank under revolving credit agreement, variable rate, due May 2012	62,000	65,000
Total long-term debt	1,559,027	1,560,389
Current portion of long-term debt	90,502	28,413
Long-term debt, excluding current portion	1,468,525	1,531,976
Total capitalization	2,680,662	2,706,802
Long-Term Debt of Subsidiaries 0.00% To 0.99% [Member]
Long-term debt of subsidiaries (substantially secured by utility plant):
Debt instrument principal outstanding	6,468	6,632
Long-Term Debt of Subsidiaries 1.00% To 1.99% [Member]
Long-term debt of subsidiaries (substantially secured by utility plant):
Debt instrument principal outstanding	26,044	22,758
Long-Term Debt of Subsidiaries 2.00% To 2.99% [Member]
Long-term debt of subsidiaries (substantially secured by utility plant):
Debt instrument principal outstanding	13,904	13,461
Long-Term Debt of Subsidiaries 3.00% To 3.99% [Member]
Long-term debt of subsidiaries (substantially secured by utility plant):
Debt instrument principal outstanding	25,636	26,548
Long-Term Debt of Subsidiaries 4.00% To 4.99% [Member]
Long-term debt of subsidiaries (substantially secured by utility plant):
Debt instrument principal outstanding	367,698	367,854
Long-Term Debt of Subsidiaries 5.00% To 5.99% [Member]
Long-term debt of subsidiaries (substantially secured by utility plant):
Debt instrument principal outstanding	429,512	429,663
Long-Term Debt of Subsidiaries 6.00% To 6.99% [Member]
Long-term debt of subsidiaries (substantially secured by utility plant):
Debt instrument principal outstanding	78,243	78,232
Long-Term Debt of Subsidiaries 7.00% To 7.99% [Member]
Long-term debt of subsidiaries (substantially secured by utility plant):
Debt instrument principal outstanding	29,585	30,155
Long-Term Debt of Subsidiaries 8.00% To 8.99% [Member]
Long-term debt of subsidiaries (substantially secured by utility plant):
Debt instrument principal outstanding	34,111	34,260
Long-Term Debt of Subsidiaries 9.00% To 9.99% [Member]
Long-term debt of subsidiaries (substantially secured by utility plant):
Debt instrument principal outstanding	44,694	44,694
Long-Term Debt of Subsidiaries 10.40% [Member]
Long-term debt of subsidiaries (substantially secured by utility plant):
Debt instrument principal outstanding	6,000	6,000
Notes Ranging From 4.62% To 4.87% [Member]
Long-term debt of subsidiaries (substantially secured by utility plant):
Unsecured notes payable	193,000	193,000
Notes Ranging From 5.01% To 5.95% [Member]
Long-term debt of subsidiaries (substantially secured by utility plant):
Unsecured notes payable	$ 242,132	$ 242,132