EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
401(k) Plan [Abstract]
Gross pay rate of matched employee contributions (in hundredths)	50.00%
Percentages of additional contribution of eligible salaries and wages by Artesian Resources (in hundredths)	3.00%
Supplemental Pension Plan [Abstract]
Minimum ages required for additional benefits to individuals	50
Term of matching contribution	5 years
Change in Accumulated Postretirement Benefit Obligation [Abstract]
Accumulated Postretirement Benefit Obligation at the Beginning of the Year	$ 764,000	$ 724,000
Service Cost	0	0
Interest Cost	28,000	30,000
Actuarial (Gain) or Loss	82,000	130,000
Benefits Paid	(131,000)	(125,000)
Plan Participant's Contributions	5,000	5,000
Accumulated Postretirement Benefit Obligation at the End of the Year	748,000	764,000
Change in Plan Assets [Abstract]
Fair Value of Plan Assets at the Beginning of the Year	0	0
Benefits Paid	(131,000)	(125,000)
Employer Contributions	126,000	120,000
Plan Participant's Contributions	5,000	5,000
Fair Value of Assets at the End of the Year	0	0
Net Amount Recognized [Abstract]
Funded Status	(748,000)	(764,000)
Unrecognized Transition Obligation Asset	0	9,000
Unrecognized Net Gain or Loss	310,000	258,000
Net Amount Recognized:	(438,000)	(497,000)
Amounts Recognized in the Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Accrued Benefit Liability-Current	(129,000)	(123,000)
Accrued Benefit Liability-Noncurrent	(309,000)	(374,000)
Net Amount Recognized	(438,000)	(497,000)
Weighted Average Assumptions at the End of the Year [Abstract]
Discount Rate (in hundredths)	4.00%	4.00%
Assumed Health Care Cost Trend Rates [Abstract]
Health Care Cost Trend Rate Assumed for Next Year (in hundredths)	5.00%	6.00%
Ultimate Rate (in hundredths)	3.50%	3.50%
Year that the Ultimate Rate is Reached	2017	2016
Impact of One-Percentage-Point Change in Assumed Health Care Cost Trend Rates [Abstract]
Effect on Service Cost & Interest Cost, Increase	1
Effect on Service Cost & Interest Cost, Decrease	(1)
Effect on Postretirement Benefit Obligation, Increase	26
Effect on Postretirement Benefit Obligation, Decrease	(24)
Expected contributions in next fiscal year by employer	129,000
Summary of annual benefits expected to be paid [Abstract]
2014	129,000
2015	118,000
2016	106,000
2017	94,000
2018	82,000
2019 through 2023	257,000
Total	786,000
401(k) Plan [Member] | Artesian Resources [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Percentages of contribution of eligible salaries and wages by Artesian Resources (in hundredths)	2.00%
Percentages of matched employee contributions (in hundredths)	6.00%
Entity contributions and administrative fees	768,000	771,000	719,000
Supplemental Pension Plan [Member] | Artesian Water [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Percentages of contribution of eligible salaries and wages by Artesian Resources (in hundredths)	2.00%
Percentages of matched employee contributions (in hundredths)	6.00%
Entity contributions and administrative fees	246,000	266,000	264,000
Supplemental Pension Plan [Member] | Artesian Water [Member] | Employee Period of Service 1 [Member]
Supplemental Pension Plan [Abstract]
Contribution per dollar deferred	3
Supplemental Pension Plan [Member] | Artesian Water [Member] | Employee Service Period 2 [Member]
Supplemental Pension Plan [Abstract]
Contribution per dollar deferred	4
Supplemental Pension Plan [Member] | Artesian Water [Member] | Employee Service Period 3 [Member]
Supplemental Pension Plan [Abstract]
Contribution per dollar deferred	5
Postretirement Benefit Plan [Member] | Artesian Water [Member]
Postretirement Benefit Plan [Abstract]
Expense incurred under the plan	$ 126,000	$ 120,000	$ 112,000