Property, Plant And Equipment (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Property, Plant And Equipment [Abstract]

Schedule Of Property, Plant And Equipment

	December 31,				Approximate Range	Weighted Average
		2012		2011	of  Useful Lives	Useful Life
Utility plant and equipment:
Mains and accessories	$	2,190,078	$	1,984,171	26 to 92 years	75 years
Services, hydrants, treatment
plants and reservoirs		1,275,221		1,165,983	5 to 85 years	47 years
Operations structures and water tanks		233,743		213,368	14 to 70 years	48 years
Miscellaneous pumping and
purification equipment		594,687		507,035	5 to 145 years	36 years
Meters, data processing, transportation
and operating equipment		573,899		529,160	3 to 78 years	23 years
Land and other non-depreciable assets		95,436		81,421	-	-
Utility plant and equipment		4,963,064		4,481,138
Utility construction work in progress		107,944		61,232	-	-
Net utility plant acquisition adjustment		(31,347)		(33,839)	0 to 52 years	22 years
Non-utility plant and equipment		10,739		9,435	0 to 25 years	5 years
Total property, plant and equipment	$	5,050,400	$	4,517,966