Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Assets
Property, plant and equipment, at cost	$ 5,265,148	$ 5,050,400
Less: accumulated depreciation	1,174,775	1,114,237
Net property, plant and equipment	4,090,373	3,936,163
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	6,393	5,521
Accounts receivable and unbilled revenues, net	98,303	92,921
Income tax receivable	16,082	16,082
Deferred income taxes	40,385	37,818
Inventory, materials and supplies	12,433	11,757
Prepayments and other current assets	9,353	10,372
Assets of discontinued operations held for sale	28,607	86,423
Total current assets	211,556	260,894
Regulatory assets	637,314	521,264
Deferred charges and other assets, net	50,031	49,852
Investment in joint venture	45,316	38,620
Funds restricted for construction activity	11,626	23,572
Goodwill	27,882	28,152
Total assets	5,074,098	4,858,517
Aqua America stockholders' equity:
Common stock at $.50 par value, authorized 300,000,000 shares, issued 177,880,647 and 175,985,437 in 2013 and 2012	88,940	70,472
Capital in excess of par value	739,062	718,482
Retained earnings	698,689	611,303
Treasury stock, at cost, 1,177,959 and 776,355 shares in 2013 and 2012	(27,074)	(14,668)
Accumulated other comprehensive income	223	115
Total Aqua America stockholders' equity	1,499,840	1,385,704
Noncontrolling interest	197	188
Total equity	1,500,037	1,385,892
Long-term debt, excluding current portion	1,439,338	1,543,954
Commitments and contingencies (See Note 13)
Current liabilities:
Current portion of long-term debt	81,449	45,038
Loans payable	109,786	80,383
Accounts payable	41,382	55,506
Accrued interest	20,450	14,026
Accrued taxes	20,458	28,214
Other accrued liabilities	27,392	27,360
Liabilities of discontinued operations held for sale	17,352	23,637
Total current liabilities	318,269	274,164
Deferred credits and other liabilities:
Deferred income taxes and investment tax credits	835,003	723,367
Customers' advances for construction	71,927	71,595
Regulatory liabilities	284,823	241,363
Other	152,703	157,978
Total deferred credits and other liabilities	1,344,456	1,194,303
Contributions in aid of construction	471,998	460,204
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$ 5,074,098	$ 4,858,517