NON-UTILITY OPERATING REVENUE AND EXPENSES (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Public Utility, Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Non-utility operating revenue	$ 3,974,000	$ 3,787,000	$ 4,204,000
Summary of non-utility operating expenses [Abstract]
Non-utility operating expenses	2,121,000	2,100,000	3,148,000
Artesian Utility [Member]
Public Utility, Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Non-utility operating revenue	3,900,000	3,200,000	1,900,000
Summary of non-utility operating expenses [Abstract]
Non-utility operating expenses	2,052,000	1,777,000	1,823,000
Artesian Development [Member]
Summary of non-utility operating expenses [Abstract]
Non-utility operating expenses	40,000	42,000	39,000
Artesian Resources [Member]
Public Utility, Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Non-utility operating revenue	0	600,000	2,100,000
Summary of non-utility operating expenses [Abstract]
Non-utility operating expenses	0	263,000	993,000
Artesian Consulting Engineers [Member]
Public Utility, Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Non-utility operating revenue			175,000
Summary of non-utility operating expenses [Abstract]
Non-utility operating expenses	$ 29,000	$ 18,000	$ 293,000