REGULATORY PROCEEDINGS (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		0 Months Ended		1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended			3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014 Delaware [Member]	May 31, 2013 Artesian Water [Member]	Nov. 30, 2012 Artesian Water [Member]	Nov. 30, 2013 Artesian Water [Member]	Mar. 31, 2014 Artesian Water [Member]	Mar. 31, 2013 Artesian Water [Member]	Apr. 11, 2014 Artesian Water [Member]	Mar. 31, 2014 Artesian Wastewater [Member]	Oct. 08, 2013 Artesian Wastewater [Member]	Jan. 18, 2013 Artesian Wastewater [Member]
Rate Proceedings [Abstract]
Maximum temporary annual rate increase subject to 15% gross water sales limitation		$ 2,500,000
Percentage of gross water sales maximum temporary annual rate increase subject to $2.5 million limitation (in hundredths)	15.00%
Period to complete rate case by law (in months)		7 months
Percentage of rate relief allowed should a rate case not complete, maximum (in hundredths)	15.00%
Percentage of revenue increase in a filed request to implement new rates (in hundredths)								15.90%			34.80%
Amount of annual revenue increase in a filed request to implement new rates								10,000,000			343,000
Increase in annual revenue expected from rate increase application approval										174,000
Return on Equity (in hundredths)									10.00%
Incremental Increase to Customers								12.60%
Other Proceedings [Abstract]
Distribution System Improvement Charge rate increase applied between base rate filings, maximum (in hundredths)		7.50%
Distribution System Improvement Charge rate increase maximum within a 12-month period (in hundredths)		5.00%
Percentage of Distribution System Improvement Charges annual rate increase application filed by company to regulatory (in hundredths)			2.09%	1.59%	3.32%
Increase in revenue due to DSIC rate increase application, annually			2,000,000	4,600,000	4,900,000
Revenue earned in DSIC rate increases						$ 495,000	$ 258,000