Regulatory Assets and Liabilities (Details) (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Mar. 31, 2015
Dec. 31, 2014
Regulatory Assets and Liabilities    
Regulatory assets $ 401,089 $ 390,331
Regulatory liabilities 35,102 36,447
Short-term portion of the regulatory assets 50,016 53,199
Short-term portion of the regulatory liabilities 5,580 6,126
Future tax benefits due ratepayers    
Regulatory Assets and Liabilities    
Regulatory liabilities 26,114 26,114
Conservation program    
Regulatory Assets and Liabilities    
Regulatory liabilities 3,406 2,669
Pension balancing account    
Regulatory Assets and Liabilities    
Regulatory liabilities 3,170 4,291
Other regulatory liabilities    
Regulatory Assets and Liabilities    
Regulatory liabilities 2,412 3,373
Pension and retiree group health    
Regulatory Assets and Liabilities    
Regulatory assets 244,843 245,008
Future tax benefits due ratepayers    
Regulatory Assets and Liabilities    
Regulatory assets 72,350 72,350
Other accrued benefits    
Regulatory Assets and Liabilities    
Regulatory assets 32,684 32,959
Net WRAM and MCBA long-term accounts receivable    
Regulatory Assets and Liabilities    
Regulatory assets 19,413 14,449
Asset retirement obligations, net    
Regulatory Assets and Liabilities    
Regulatory assets 14,169 13,863
Interim rates long-term accounts receivable    
Regulatory Assets and Liabilities    
Regulatory assets 8,996 10,627
Tank coating    
Regulatory Assets and Liabilities    
Regulatory assets 5,097  
Health care balancing account    
Regulatory Assets and Liabilities    
Regulatory assets 1,875 1,075
Other regulatory assets    
Regulatory Assets and Liabilities    
Regulatory assets $ 1,662