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SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES [Abstract]

The audited consolidated financial statements are presented in accordance with the requirements of Form 10-K and accounting principles generally accepted in the United States and consequently include all the disclosures required in the consolidated financial statements included in the Company's annual report on Form 10-K. The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Artesian Resources Corporation and its subsidiaries and all intercompany balances and transactions between subsidiaries have been eliminated.

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.

In 2016, the Company adopted amended guidance on the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs and amended guidance on Income Taxes, both of which were issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board, or FASB, in 2015. The amended guidance on the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs requires entities to present debt issuance costs related to a debt liability as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability on the balance sheet as opposed to being presented as a deferred charge. The amended guidance on Income Taxes simplified the presentation of deferred income taxes, permitting all deferred income tax liabilities be classified as noncurrent on the balance sheet.

For all periods presented in this Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016, unamortized debt issuance costs related to the Company's long-term debt are reported on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets within "Regulatory Assets, Net" under FASB ASC Topic 980 as this amount will be recovered in future rates charged to our customers. Prior to adoption, the Company reported the unamortized debt issuance costs in "Other Assets" on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. Deferred income taxes are reported as noncurrent on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. Prior to adoption, the Company reported current and noncurrent deferred income tax liabilities as separate amounts on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

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. These regulated subsidiaries account for the majority of our operating revenue. The operating revenues of our non-regulated division are presented in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Utility Plant

Utility plant is stated at original cost. Cost includes direct labor, materials, AFUDC (see description below) and indirect charges for such capitalized items as transportation, supervision, pension, medical, and other fringe benefits related to employees engaged in construction activities. When depreciable units of utility plant are retired, any cost associated with retirement, less any salvage value or proceeds received, is charged to the regulated retirement liability. 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 2016, 2015, and 2014 was 8.1%, 8.1%, and 8.2% respectively.

Utility plant comprises:
In thousands
			December 31,
	Estimated Useful Life (In Years)		2016		2015
Utility plant at original cost
Utility plant in service-Water
Intangible plant		—	$	140	$	140
Source of supply plant		45-85		19,627		19,313
Pumping and water treatment plant		8-62		78,542		77,221
Transmission and distribution plant
Mains		81		236,261		224,104
Services		39		38,803		36,060
Storage tanks		76		24,108		23,992
Meters		26		24,710		24,150
Hydrants		60		12,870		12,037
General plant		3-31		53,417		52,434

Utility plant in service-Wastewater
Treatment and disposal plant		35-62		15,613		14,012
Collection mains & lift stations		81		8,675		7,833
General plant		3-31		931		906

Property held for future use		—		14,815		14,345
Construction work in progress		—		6,674		3,809
				535,186		510,356
Less – accumulated depreciation				109,684		104,750
			$	425,502	$	405,606

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 2.25%, 2.29% and 2.30% for 2016, 2015 and 2014, 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.

Utility Plant Retirement Cost Obligation

The utility plant retirement cost obligation consists of estimated costs related to the potential removal and replacement of facilities and equipment on the Company's water and wastewater properties. Effective January 1, 2012, as authorized by the DEPSC, when depreciable units of utility plant are retired, any cost associated with retirement, less any salvage value or proceeds received is charged to a regulated retirement liability. Each year the liability is increased by an annual amount authorized by the DEPSC. Previously, when depreciable units of utility plant were retired, the cost of retired property, together with any cost associated with retirement less any salvage value or proceeds received, was charged to accumulated depreciation. Maintenance, repairs, and replacement of minor items of plant are charged to expense as incurred.

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 Maryland Public Service Commission, or MDPSC, and the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission, or PAPUC.

The postretirement benefit obligation is the recognition of an offsetting regulatory asset as it relates to the accrual of the expected cost of providing postretirement health care and life insurance benefits to retired employees when they render the services necessary to earn the benefits. Artesian Water contributed $81,000 to its postretirement benefit plan in 2016. These contributions consist of insurance premium payments for medical, dental and life insurance benefits made on behalf of the Company's eligible retired employees.

The deferred income taxes will be amortized over future years as the tax effects of temporary differences that previously flowed through to our customers are reversed.

Other regulatory expenses are amortized on a straight-line basis as noted below:

Expense	Years Amortized
Depreciation and salary studies	5
Delaware rate proceedings	2.5
Maryland rate proceedings	5
Debt issuance costs (as of December 31, 2016)	10 to 30 (based on term of related debt)
Debt issuance costs (after First Mortgage Bond Purchase in January 2017)	15 to 25 (based on term of related debt)
Goodwill (resulting from acquisition of Mountain Hill Water Company in 2008)	50
Deferred acquisition costs (resulting from purchase of water assets in Cecil County, Maryland in 2011 and Port Deposit, Maryland in 2010)	20
Franchise Costs (resulting from purchase of water assets in Cecil County, Maryland in 2011)	80

Regulatory assets, net of amortization, comprise:

(in thousands)	December 31, 2016		December 31, 2015

Postretirement benefit obligation	$	186	$	329
Deferred income taxes		431		446
Expense of rate and regulatory proceedings		116		616
Debt issuance costs		1,648		1,747
Goodwill		310		318
Deferred acquisition and franchise costs		683		720
	$	3,374	$	4,176

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 980. 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 980 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

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 the remaining other deferred assets, approximately $0.3 million, is in relation to the Mountain Hill acquisition.

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

In thousands	2016			2015

Investment in CoBank		$	3,198		$	3,023
Other			386			421
		$	3,584		$	3,444

Advances for Construction

Cash advances to reimburse Artesian Water for its costs to construct water mains, services and hydrants are contributed to Artesian Water by real estate developers and builders in order to extend water service to their properties. The Company only accepts advances related to new phases of existing developments that are grandfathered into the refundable arrangement through pre-existing contracts. 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 within the contract period, 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.

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, an uncertain tax position represents our expected treatment of a tax position taken, or planned to be taken in the future, that has not been reflected in measuring income tax expense for financial reporting purposes. In 2014, the Company changed its tax method of accounting for qualifying utility system repairs effective with the tax year ended December 31, 2014 and for prior tax years. The tax accounting method was changed to permit the expensing of qualifying utility asset improvement costs that were previously being capitalized and depreciated for book and tax purposes.

The Company establishes reserves for uncertain tax positions based upon management's judgment as to the sustainability of these positions. These accounting estimates related to the uncertain tax position reserve require judgments to be made as to the sustainability of each uncertain tax position based on its technical merits. The Company believes its tax positions comply with applicable law and that it has adequately recorded reserves as required. However, to the extent the final tax outcome of these matters is different than the estimates recorded, the Company would then adjust its tax reserves or unrecognized tax benefits in the period that this information becomes known. The Company has elected to recognize accrued interest (net of related tax benefits) and penalties related to uncertain tax positions as a component of its income tax expense. The Company remains subject to examination by federal authorities for the tax year 2015 and state authorities for the tax years 2013 through 2015. The Company was under federal audit by the Internal Revenue Service for tax years 2012 through 2014 during 2016. The audit was concluded during the year resulting in no change to the tax liability.

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 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 December 9, 2015, the Company's stockholders approved the 2015 Equity Compensation Plan, or the 2015 Plan. The 2015 Plan replaced the 2005 Equity Compensation Plan, or the 2005 Plan, which expired on May 24, 2015. The 2015 Plan authorizes an aggregate number of shares of our Class A common stock that may be issued or transferred under the Plan equal to the sum of: 331,500 shares, plus the number of shares of Class A common stock subject to outstanding grants under the 2005 Plan as of December 9, 2015 that terminate, expire or are cancelled, forfeited, exchanged or surrendered without having been exercised, vested or paid under the 2005 Plan. The Company accounts for stock options issued after January 1, 2006 under FASB ASC Topic 718. Compensation costs for restricted stock grants and options were $92,000, $183,000 and $135,000 in 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Cost for options and restricted stock grants were determined based on the fair value at the grant dates and those costs were charged to income over the associated service periods. The $135,000 in 2014 was the amount amortized for stock options awarded in 2014 and 2013. The $183,000 in 2015 was the amount amortized for restricted stock awarded in 2015 and stock options awarded in 2014. The $92,000 in 2016 was the amount amortized for restricted stock awarded in 2016. As of December 31, 2016 there is $47,000 unrecognized expense related to non-vested awards of restricted shares granted under the 2015 Plan.

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

Stock Options

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 2014 under the 2005 Equity Compensation Plan (See Note 8 "Stock Compensation Plans"). No options were granted in 2015 or 2016.

	2014
Expected Dividend Yield		3.88%
Expected Stock Price Volatility		26.50%
Weighted Average Risk Free Interest Rate		2.24%
Weighted Average Expected Life of Options (in years)		7.52

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 for the 2014 options is the weighted average of the 7-year and 10-year US Treasury Yield rates.

Shares of Class A Stock have been reserved for future issuance under the 2015 Equity Compensation Plan.

Stock Awards

On May 4, 2016, 5,000 shares of Class A common stock were granted as restricted stock awards. The fair market value per share was $27.70, the closing price of the Class A common stock as recorded on the Nasdaq Global Market on May 4, 2016. The restricted shares vest one year from the date of grant. A total of $92,000 was recorded as compensation cost for the awards granted in May 2016.

On December 18, 2015 5,000 shares of Class A common stock were issued as fully vested unrestricted stock awards. The fair market value per share was $27.38, the closing price of the Class A common stock as recorded on the Nasdaq Global market on December 18, 2015. A total of $137,000 was recorded as compensation cost for the stock awards granted in December 2015.

Revenue Recognition and Unbilled Revenues

Water service revenue for financial statement purposes includes amounts billed to Delaware customers on a monthly basis, amounts billed to Maryland customers on a quarterly or monthly cycle basis, depending on water system, and amounts billed to Pennsylvania customers on a quarterly basis. Water service revenues also include 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 an accrual basis.

Other utility operating revenue includes wastewater service revenue derived from monthly fixed fees billed to customers, and is recognized on an accrual basis.

Non-utility operating revenue is primarily derived from Service Line Protection Plans and 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. 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 $0.3 million and $0.3 million at December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 respectively. The corresponding expense for the year ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 was $0.2 million and $0.2 million, respectively. The following table summarizes the changes in the Company's accounts receivable balance:

	December 31,
In thousands	2016			2015			2014

Customer accounts receivable – water		$	5,437		$	5,017		$	4,020
Contractual amounts due from developers and other			2,622			1,610			1,295
			8,059			6,627			5,315
Less allowance for doubtful accounts			263			277			250
Net accounts receivable		$	7,796		$	6,350		$	5,065

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

	December 31,
In thousands	2016				2015				2014

Beginning balance		$	277			$	250			$	221
Allowance adjustments			195				205				194
Recoveries			64				53				64
Write off of uncollectible accounts			(273	)			(231	)			(229	)
Ending balance		$	263			$	277			$	250

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 Resources 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.