FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2017

FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS [Abstract]

Fair value of long-term debt

All of Artesian Resources' outstanding long-term debt as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 was fixed-rate. The fair value of the Company's long-term debt is determined by discounting their future cash flows using current market interest rates on similar instruments with comparable maturities consistent with FASB ASC 825. Under the fair value hierarchy, the fair value of the long-term debt in the table below is classified as Level 2 measurements. The fair values for long-term debt differ from the carrying values primarily due to interest rates that differ from the current market interest rates. The carrying amount and fair value of Artesian Resources' long-term debt are shown below:

In thousands
	March 31, 2017			December 31, 2016
Carrying amount		$	107,859		$	103,647
Estimated fair value		$	111,515		$	111,864