SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES [Abstract]

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

NOTE 1

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of Presentation

The audited consolidated financial statements are presented in accordance with the requirements of Form 10-K and consequently include all the disclosures required in the consolidated financial statements included in the Company's annual report on Form 10-K.

As more fully discussed in Note 11 - Northern Sussex Regional Water Recycling Complex, LLC, Artesian Resources and Darin A. Lockwood, the owner of Northern Sussex Regional Water Recycling Complex, LLC, or NSRWRC, signed a Conclusion and Termination Agreement on August 6, 2010.  Consequently, effective August 6, 2010, NSRWRC was deconsolidated from the Company’s consolidated financial statements.  The Company is no longer the primary beneficiary of NSRWRC and NSRWRC no longer constitutes a variable interest entity, or VIE, as defined by Financial Accounting Standards Board, or FASB, Accounting Standards Codification, or ASC, Topic 810.

Reclassification

Certain accounts in the prior year financial statements have been reclassified for comparative purposes to conform with the presentation in the current year financial statements.  These reclassifications had no effect on net income or stockholders' equity.

Utility Subsidiary Accounting

The accounting records of Artesian Water Company, Inc., or Artesian Water, and Artesian Wastewater Management, Inc., or Artesian Wastewater, are maintained in accordance with the uniform system of accounts as prescribed by the Delaware Public Service Commission, or the DEPSC.  The accounting records of Artesian Water Pennsylvania, Inc., or Artesian Water Pennsylvania, are maintained in accordance with the uniform system of accounts as prescribed by the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission, or the PAPUC.  The accounting records of Artesian Water Maryland, Inc., or Artesian Water Maryland, and Artesian Wastewater Maryland, Inc., or Artesian Wastewater Maryland, are maintained in accordance with the uniform system of accounts as prescribed by the Maryland Public Service Commission, or the MDPSC.  All five subsidiaries follow the provisions of FASB ASC Topic 980, which provides guidance for companies in regulated industries.

Utility Plant

All additions to plant are recorded at cost.  Cost includes direct labor, materials, and indirect charges for such items as transportation, supervision, pension, and other fringe benefits related to employees engaged in construction activities.  When depreciable units of utility plant are retired, the cost of retired property, together with any cost associated with retirement and less any salvage value or proceeds received, is charged to accumulated depreciation.  The rate settlement discussed in Item 1 –Business under the heading “Regulatory Matters” authorizes that effective January 1, 2012, any cost associated with retirement less any salvage value or proceeds received will be charged to a regulated retirement liability.  This new approach will result in an approximately $1.2 million reclassification of utility plant to deferred credits and other liabilities on our Consolidated Balance Sheet in our fiscal year 2012.  Maintenance, repairs, and replacement of minor items of plant are charged to expense as incurred.

In accordance with a rate order issued by the DEPSC, Artesian Water accrues an Allowance for Funds Used During Construction, or AFUDC.  AFUDC, which represents the cost of funds devoted to construction projects through the date the project is placed in service, is capitalized as part of construction work in progress.  The rate used for the AFUDC calculation is based on Artesian Water's weighted average cost of debt and the rate of return on equity authorized by the DEPSC.  The rate used to capitalize AFUDC in 2011, 2010, and 2009 was 8.2%, 7.9%, and 7.7%, respectively.

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Utility plant comprises:
In thousands
			December 31,
	Estimated Useful Life (In Years)		2011		2010
Utility plant at original cost
Utility plant in service-Water
Intangible plant		---	$	140	$	140
Source of supply plant		45-85		17,247		16,422
Pumping and water treatment plant		35-62		59,302		57,168
Transmission and distribution plant
Mains		81		187,993		182,319
Services		39		30,918		29,770
Storage tanks		76		23,122		22,703
Meters		26		19,915		17,208
Hydrants		60		10,241		9,678
General plant		3-31		44,857		42,645
Utility plant in service-Wastewater
Treatment and Disposal Plant		35-62		11,248		11,611
Collection Mains & Lift Stations		81		6,266		4,944
General plant		3-31		1,107		1,015
Property held for future use		---		13,157		13,489
Construction work in progress		---		4,894		5,521
				430,407		414,633
Less – accumulated depreciation				77,010		69,250
			$	353,397	$	345,383

Depreciation and Amortization

For financial reporting purposes, depreciation is recorded using the straight-line method at rates based on estimated economic useful lives, which range from 3 to 85 years.  Composite depreciation rates for water utility plant were 2.22%, 2.18% and 2.25% for 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.  In a rate order issued by the DEPSC, the Company was directed effective January 1, 1998 to begin using revised depreciation rates for utility plant.  In rate orders issued by the DEPSC, Artesian Water was directed, effective May 28, 1991 and August 25, 1992, to offset depreciation recorded on utility plant by depreciation on utility property funded by Contributions in Aid of Construction, or CIAC, and Advances for Construction, or Advances, respectively.  This reduction in depreciation expense is also applied to outstanding CIAC and Advances.  Other deferred assets are amortized using the straight-line method over applicable lives, which range from 2 to 40 years.

Regulatory Assets

FASB ASC Topic 980 stipulates generally accepted accounting principles for companies whose rates are established or subject to approvals by a third-party regulatory agency.  Certain expenses are recoverable through rates charged to our customers, without a return on investment, and are deferred and amortized during future periods using various methods as permitted by the Delaware Public Service Commission, or DEPSC, the MDPSC and the PAPUC.  Depreciation and salary study expenses are amortized on a straight-line basis over a period of five years and two years for all other expenses related to Delaware rate proceedings and applications to increase rates.  Other expenses related to Maryland rate proceedings and applications to increase rates are amortized on a straight line basis over a period of five years or until the next rate increase application.  Artesian Water recognizes an offsetting regulatory asset with respect to its postretirement benefit obligation (see Note 9 to our Financial Statements for a description of the Company's Postretirement Benefit Plan).  The deferred income taxes will be amortized over future years as the tax effects of temporary differences previously flowed through to the customers reverse.  Goodwill was recognized as a result of the acquisition of Mountain Hill in August 2008 and is currently being amortized on a straight-line basis over a period of fifty years.  Deferred acquisition and franchise costs are the result of due diligence costs related to the December 2011 purchase of water assets in Cecil County, Maryland and the November 2010 purchase of the Port Deposit, Maryland water assets.  Amortization of these deferred acquisition costs begin once the acquired assets are placed into service.  The amortization of the Port Deposit acquisition began in November 2010 and the amortization of the Cecil County Acquisition began in December 2011, and both will be amortized over a period of twenty years.  The termination of the Asset Purchase Agreements discussed in Item 1 - Business – Artesian Wastewater Maryland resulted in an approximately $354,000 reclassification of deferred acquisition costs from regulatory assets on our Consolidated Balance Sheet to miscellaneous other expense on our Consolidated Statement of Operations.

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Regulatory assets at December 31, net of amortization, comprise:

In thousands	2011		2010
Postretirement benefit obligation	$	567	$	637
Deferred income taxes		506		521
Goodwill		348		355
Deferred acquisition and franchise costs		816		1,009
Expense of rate and regulatory proceedings		497		88
	$	2,734	$	2,610

Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets

Our long-lived assets consist primarily of utility plant in service and regulatory assets.  A review of our long-lived assets is performed in accordance with the requirements of FASB ASC Topic 360.  In addition, the regulatory assets are reviewed for the continued application of FASB ASC Topic 360.  The review determines whether there have been changes in circumstances or events that have occurred requiring adjustments to the carrying value of these assets.  FASB ASC Topic 360 stipulates that adjustments to the carrying value of these assets would be made in instances where the inclusion in the rate-making process is unlikely.

Other Deferred Assets

Debt issuance costs are amortized over the term of the related debt, which ranges from 10 to 30 years.  The investment in Co-Bank, which is a cooperative bank, is related to certain outstanding First Mortgage Bonds and is a required investment in the bank based on the underlying long term debt agreements.  A large portion of other deferred assets, approximately $0.4 million, is in relation to the Mountain Hill acquisition.

Other deferred assets at December 31, net of amortization, comprise:

In thousands	2011		2010
Debt issuance cost	$	2,228	$	2,300
Investment in Co-Bank		2,294		2,067
Other		620		656
	$	5,142	$	5,023

Advances for Construction

Water mains, services and hydrants, or cash advances to reimburse Artesian Water for its costs to construct water mains, services and hydrants are contributed to Artesian Water by customers, real estate developers and builders in order to extend water service to their properties.  The value of these contributions is recorded as Advances for Construction.  Artesian Water makes refunds on these advances over a specific period of time based on operating revenues generated by the specific plant or as new customers are connected to the mains.  After all refunds are made, any remaining balance is transferred to CIAC.

Contributions in Aid of Construction

CIAC includes the non-refundable portion of advances for construction and direct contributions of water mains, services and hydrants, and wastewater treatment facilities and collection systems, or cash to reimburse our water and wastewater divisions for costs to construct water mains, services and hydrants, and wastewater treatment and disposal plant.

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Income Taxes

Deferred income taxes are provided in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 740 on all differences between the tax basis of assets and liabilities and the amounts at which they are carried in the consolidated financial statements based on the enacted tax rates expected to be in effect when such temporary differences are expected to reverse.  Under FASB ASC Topic 740, the Company analyzed its various tax positions and determined that no further entry, recognition or derecognition was required.  The Company would recognize, if applicable, interest accrued and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in interest expense and in accordance with the regulations of the jurisdictions involved.

The Tax Reform Act of 1986 mandated that Advances and CIAC received subsequent to December 31, 1986, generally are taxable income.  The 1996 Tax Act provided an exclusion from taxable income for CIAC and Advances received after June 12, 1996 by our utilities except for certain contributions for large services that are not included in rate base for rate-making purposes.

Investment tax credits were deferred through 1986 and are recognized as a reduction of deferred income tax expense over the estimated economic useful lives of the related assets.

Stock Compensation Plans

On May 25, 2005, the Company’s stockholders approved a new Equity Compensation Plan, which authorizes up to 500,000 shares of Class A Non-Voting Common Stock, or Class A Stock, for issuance, referred to as the 2005 Equity Compensation Plan, or the Plan.  Since May 25, 2005, no additional grants have been made under the Company’s other stock-based compensation plans that were previously available.  The Company accounts for stock options issued after January 1, 2006 under FASB ASC Topic 718.  Compensation costs in the amount of $120,000, $111,000 and $98,000 for awards and options granted in 2011, 2010 and 2009 respectively, were determined based on the fair value at the grant dates and those costs are being charged to income over the service period associated with the grants.  The $98,000 in 2009 was the amount amortized for stock options awarded in 2009 and 2008.  The $111,000 in 2010 was the amount amortized for stock options awarded in 2010 and 2009.  The $120,000 in 2011 was the amount amortized for stock options awarded in 2011 and 2010.

There was no stock compensation cost capitalized as part of an asset.

The fair value of each option grant is estimated using the Black-Scholes-Merton option pricing model with the following weighted-average assumptions used for grants issued in 2011, 2010 and 2009 under the 2005 Equity Compensation Plan (See Note 8 “Stock Compensation Plans”).

	2011			2010			2009
Dividend Yield		4.0	%		4.2	%		4.5	%
Expected Volatility		.25			.27			.26
Risk Free Interest Rate		3.12	%		3.38	%		2.81	%
Expected Term		8.36	years		8.97	years		7.06	years

The expected dividend yield was based on a 12 month rolling average of the Company’s current dividend yield.  The expected volatility is the standard deviation of the change in the natural logarithm of the stock price (expressed as an annual rate) for the expected term shown above.  The expected term was based on historic exercise patterns for similar grants.  The risk free interest rate is the 7-year Treasury Constant Maturity rate as of the date of the grants for 2008 and 10-year Treasury Constant Maturity rate as of the date of the 2010 and 2011 grants.

Shares of Class A Stock have been reserved for future issuance under the 2005 Equity Compensation Plan.

Revenue Recognition and Unbilled Revenues

Water service revenue for financial statement purposes includes amounts billed to customers on a quarterly or monthly cycle basis, depending on class of customer, and unbilled amounts based upon estimated usage from the date of the last meter reading to the end of the accounting period.  As actual usage amounts are received, adjustments are made to the unbilled estimates in the next billing cycle based on the actual results.

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Non-utility operating revenue is primarily derived from the design, construction and operation of contract water and wastewater projects.  The Company recognizes non-utility operating revenue ratably over the service period with markup for overhead and profit.  The Company records contract monthly fees for non-utility operating revenue when billed to the customer.

Other operating revenue includes wastewater service revenue derived from monthly fixed fees billed to customers, and which is recorded when billed.  Service line protection plan revenues are recognized on an accrual basis.

Accounts Receivable

Accounts receivable are recorded at the invoiced amounts.  The allowance for doubtful accounts is the Company's best estimate of the amount of probable credit losses in our existing accounts receivable.  The Company reviews the allowance for doubtful accounts on a quarterly basis.  Account balances are written off against the allowance when it is probable the receivable will not be recovered.  The allowance for doubtful accounts was $0.2 million at December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010.  The corresponding expense for the year ended December 31, 2011 and 2010 was $0.3 million and $0.4 million, respectively.  The following table summarizes the changes in the Company’s accounts receivable balance:

	December 31,
In thousands	2011		2010		2009
Customer accounts receivable – water	$	3,390	$	3,161	$	3,039
Other		1,823		2,163		2,608
		5,213		5,324		5,647
Less allowance for doubtful accounts		216		230		142
Net accounts receivable	$	4,997	$	5,094	$	5,505

The activities in the allowance for doubtful accounts are as follows:

	December 31,
In thousands	2011			2010			2009
Beginning balance	$	230		$	142		$	106
Allowance adjustments		262			370			291
Recoveries		111			78			74
Write off of uncollectible accounts		(387	)		(360	)		(329	)
Ending balance	$	216		$	230		$	142

Cash and Cash Equivalents

For purposes of the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows, Artesian Resources considers all temporary cash investments with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents.  Artesian Resource’s and its subsidiaries utilize their bank's zero balance account disbursement service to reduce the use of their lines of credit by funding checks as they are presented to the bank for payment rather than at issuance.  If the checks currently outstanding, but not yet funded, exceed the cash balance on our books, the net liability is recorded as a current liability on the consolidated balance sheet in the Overdraft Payable account.

Use of Estimates in the Preparation of Consolidated Financial Statements

The consolidated financial statements were prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the U.S., which require management to make estimates about the reported amounts of assets and liabilities including unbilled revenues, reserve for a portion of revenues received under temporary rates and regulatory asset recovery and contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.  Actual results could differ from management's estimate.