SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013 Subsidiary	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Utility Subsidiary Accounting [Abstract]
Number of wholly owned subsidiaries	5
Utility Plant [Abstract]
Deferred credits and other liabilities	$ 63,058	$ 60,990
Capitalized rate of AFUDC (in hundredths)	8.20%	8.20%	8.20%
Summary of utility plant comprises [Abstract]
Utility plant, gross	468,398	450,037
Less - accumulated depreciation	89,438	83,474
Utility plant, net	378,960	366,563
Depreciation and Amortization [Abstract]
Depreciation rates of water utility plant (in hundredths)	2.30%	2.29%	2.22%
Minimum [Member]
Depreciation and Amortization [Abstract]
Amortization period of other deferred assets	2 years
Maximum [Member]
Depreciation and Amortization [Abstract]
Amortization period of other deferred assets	40 years
Property Held for Future Use [Member]
Summary of utility plant comprises [Abstract]
Estimated useful life	0 years
Utility plant, gross	14,865	14,525
Construction in Progress [Member]
Summary of utility plant comprises [Abstract]
Estimated useful life	0 years
Utility plant, gross	5,793	6,198
Utility plant in service-Water [Member] | Mains [Member]
Summary of utility plant comprises [Abstract]
Estimated useful life	81 years
Utility plant, gross	205,759	195,671
Utility plant in service-Water [Member] | Services [Member]
Summary of utility plant comprises [Abstract]
Estimated useful life	39 years
Utility plant, gross	32,912	31,627
Utility plant in service-Water [Member] | Storage Tanks [Member]
Summary of utility plant comprises [Abstract]
Estimated useful life	76 years
Utility plant, gross	23,895	23,814
Utility plant in service-Water [Member] | Meters [Member]
Summary of utility plant comprises [Abstract]
Estimated useful life	26 years
Utility plant, gross	21,585	20,652
Utility plant in service-Water [Member] | Hydrants [Member]
Summary of utility plant comprises [Abstract]
Estimated useful life	60 years
Utility plant, gross	10,964	10,505
Utility plant in service-Water [Member] | Intangible plant [Member]
Summary of utility plant comprises [Abstract]
Estimated useful life	0 years
Utility plant, gross	140	140
Utility plant in service-Water [Member] | Source of supply plant [Member]
Summary of utility plant comprises [Abstract]
Utility plant, gross	17,778	17,663
Utility plant in service-Water [Member] | Source of supply plant [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Summary of utility plant comprises [Abstract]
Estimated useful life	45 years
Utility plant in service-Water [Member] | Source of supply plant [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Summary of utility plant comprises [Abstract]
Estimated useful life	85 years
Utility plant in service-Water [Member] | Pumping and water treatment plant [Member]
Summary of utility plant comprises [Abstract]
Utility plant, gross	65,089	64,200
Utility plant in service-Water [Member] | Pumping and water treatment plant [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Summary of utility plant comprises [Abstract]
Estimated useful life	8 years
Utility plant in service-Water [Member] | Pumping and water treatment plant [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Summary of utility plant comprises [Abstract]
Estimated useful life	62 years
Utility plant in service-Water [Member] | General plant [Member]
Summary of utility plant comprises [Abstract]
Utility plant, gross	49,593	46,520
Utility plant in service-Water [Member] | General plant [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Summary of utility plant comprises [Abstract]
Estimated useful life	3 years
Utility plant in service-Water [Member] | General plant [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Summary of utility plant comprises [Abstract]
Estimated useful life	31 years
Utility plant in service-Wastewater [Member] | General plant [Member]
Summary of utility plant comprises [Abstract]
Utility plant, gross	860	783
Utility plant in service-Wastewater [Member] | General plant [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Summary of utility plant comprises [Abstract]
Estimated useful life	3 years
Utility plant in service-Wastewater [Member] | General plant [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Summary of utility plant comprises [Abstract]
Estimated useful life	31 years
Utility plant in service-Wastewater [Member] | Treatment and Disposal Plant [Member]
Summary of utility plant comprises [Abstract]
Utility plant, gross	12,420	11,708
Utility plant in service-Wastewater [Member] | Treatment and Disposal Plant [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Summary of utility plant comprises [Abstract]
Estimated useful life	35 years
Utility plant in service-Wastewater [Member] | Treatment and Disposal Plant [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Summary of utility plant comprises [Abstract]
Estimated useful life	62 years
Utility plant in service-Wastewater [Member] | Collection Mains & Lift Stations [Member]
Summary of utility plant comprises [Abstract]
Estimated useful life	81 years
Utility plant, gross	$ 6,745	$ 6,031