Regulatory Matters (Details 5) (GSWC, Pension and other post-retirement obligations, USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2012 item
Regulatory matters:
Regulatory asset	$ 52.6
Number of water regions for which two-way balancing account was established	3
Commercial paper, term	90 days
Two-way pension balancing account
Regulatory matters:
Regulatory asset	$ 4.3

The amount for the individual regulatory asset as itemized in a table of regulatory assets as of the end of the period.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 71

-Paragraph 9, 10

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 980

-SubTopic 340

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6499975&loc=d3e44250-110382

Name:	us-gaap_RegulatoryAssets
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant