SJW (SJW) 10-Q 6 Aug 14 2014 Q2 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information Document	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Jul. 25, 2014
Entity Information [Line Items]	'	'
Entity Registrant Name	'SJW CORP	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0000766829	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--12-31	'
Entity Filer Category	'Accelerated Filer	'
Document Type	'10-Q	'
Document Period End Date	30-Jun-14	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2014	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q2	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	20,218,534

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
OPERATING REVENUE	$70,356	$74,230	$124,952	$124,369
Production Expenses:	'	'	'	'
Purchased water	11,942	18,314	21,672	28,433
Power	2,623	1,777	4,112	2,662
Groundwater extraction charges	15,516	9,525	24,964	14,115
Other production expenses	3,001	2,882	5,863	5,595
Total production expenses	33,082	32,498	56,611	50,805
Administrative and general	9,510	10,085	18,960	21,579
Maintenance	3,573	3,433	6,847	6,633
Property taxes and other non-income taxes	2,575	2,534	5,379	5,083
Depreciation and amortization	9,495	8,743	18,980	17,559
Total operating expense	58,235	57,293	106,777	101,659
OPERATING INCOME	12,121	16,937	18,175	22,710
OTHER (EXPENSE) INCOME:	'	'	'	'
Interest on long-term debt	-4,553	-4,678	-9,095	-9,323
Mortgage and other interest expense	-401	-278	-729	-655
Gain on sale of California Water Service Group stock	2,017	0	2,017	0
Gain on sale of real estate investment	273	0	273	1,063
Dividend income	42	61	105	123
Other, net	439	589	659	960
Income before income taxes	9,938	12,631	11,405	14,878
Provision for income taxes	3,092	5,191	3,653	6,121
NET INCOME	6,846	7,440	7,752	8,757
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:	'	'	'	'
Unrealized income (loss) on investment	41	-89	239	265
Reclassification adjustment for gain realized on sale of investments	-1,171	0	-1,171	0
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME	$5,716	$7,351	$6,820	$9,022
EARNINGS PER SHARE	'	'	'	'
Basic	$0.34	$0.37	$0.38	$0.45
Diluted	$0.34	$0.37	$0.38	$0.45
DIVIDENDS PER SHARE	$0.19	$0.18	$0.38	$0.37
WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING	'	'	'	'
Basic	20,214,349	20,072,703	20,204,655	19,384,855
Diluted	20,398,002	20,266,480	20,391,692	19,581,515

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Utility plant:	'	'
Land	$10,844	$10,418
Depreciable plant and equipment	1,301,143	1,254,586
Construction in progress	36,817	30,846
Intangible assets	19,149	18,341
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	1,367,953	1,314,191
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	433,841	415,453
Public Utilities, Property, Plant and Equipment, Net	934,112	898,738
Real estate investments	73,794	78,477
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	10,807	10,658
Total	62,987	67,819
CURRENT ASSETS:	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	6,023	2,299
Accounts receivable:	'	'
Customers, net of allowances for uncollectible accounts	17,157	14,496
Income tax	0	1,661
Other	850	476
Accrued unbilled utility revenue	19,646	17,556
Materials and supplies	1,113	1,045
Prepaid expenses	2,218	2,119
Assets, Current	47,007	39,652
OTHER ASSETS:	'	'
Investment in California Water Service Group	6,271	8,885
Unamortized debt issuance, broker and reacquisition costs	5,438	5,176
Regulatory assets, net	84,831	83,543
Other	6,376	6,173
Assets, Noncurrent	102,916	103,777
Assets	1,147,022	1,109,986
Shareholders' equity:	'	'
Common stock, $0.521 par value; authorized 36,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 20,218,534 shares on June 30, 2014 and 20,169,211 on December 31, 2013	10,531	10,505
Additional paid-in capital	64,178	63,017
Retained earnings	244,377	244,266
Accumulated other comprehensive income	2,454	3,387
Total shareholders' equity	321,540	321,175
Long-term debt, less current portion	334,684	334,997
Capitalization, Long-term Debt and Equity	656,224	656,172
CURRENT LIABILITIES:	'	'
Line of credit	52,000	22,400
Current portion of long-term debt	569	554
Accrued groundwater extraction charges and purchased water	10,606	7,116
Purchased power	1,292	665
Accounts payable	12,589	12,587
Accrued interest	5,368	5,369
Accrued property taxes and other non-income taxes	774	1,618
Accrued payroll	3,105	3,198
Income tax payable	170	0
Other current liabilities	5,584	5,688
Liabilities, Current	92,057	59,195
DEFERRED INCOME TAXES	140,071	140,736
UNAMORTIZED INVESTMENT TAX CREDITS	1,345	1,375
ADVANCES FOR CONSTRUCTION	71,008	70,043
CONTRIBUTIONS IN AID OF CONSTRUCTION	134,909	132,260
DEFERRED REVENUE	1,312	1,213
POSTRETIREMENT BENEFIT PLANS	44,663	43,496
OTHER NONCURRENT LIABILITIES	5,433	5,496
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES	0	0
Liabilities and Equity	$1,147,022	$1,109,986

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance1

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Common stock, par value	$0.52	$0.52
Common stock, shares authorized	36,000,000	36,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	20,218,534	20,169,211
Common stock, shares outstanding	20,218,534	20,169,211

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme1

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
OPERATING ACTIVITIES:	'	'
Net income	$7,752	$8,757
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:	'	'
Depreciation and amortization	19,772	18,338
Deferred income taxes	404	4,200
Share-based compensation	451	589
Gain on sale of real estate investment	-273	-1,063
Gain on sale of California Water Service Group stock	-2,017	0
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:	'	'
Accounts receivable and accrued unbilled utility revenue	-5,125	-11,711
Accounts payable, purchased power and other current liabilities	489	2,266
Accrued groundwater extraction charges and purchased water	3,490	5,319
Tax receivable and accrued taxes	1,228	-144
Other current asset and liabilities related to balancing and memorandum accounts	-188	0
Postretirement benefits	1,167	3,398
Regulatory asset related to balancing and memorandum accounts	-1,107	-1,811
Other changes, net	-1,024	-1,099
NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES	25,019	27,039
INVESTING ACTIVITIES:	'	'
Company-funded	-48,155	-35,684
Contributions in aid of construction	-4,482	-4,631
Additions to real estate investments	0	-3,453
Payments for business/asset acquisition and water rights	-807	-1,569
Cost to retire utility plant, net of salvage	-575	-1,170
Proceeds from sale of real estate investment	4,281	8,831
Proceeds from sale of California Water Service Group stock	3,056	0
NET CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES	-46,682	-37,676
FINANCING ACTIVITIES:	'	'
Borrowings from line of credit	35,000	13,300
Repayments of line of credit	-5,400	-28,600
Repayments of long-term borrowings	-298	-5,150
Dividends paid	-7,579	-7,086
Issuance of common stock, net of issuance costs	0	35,894
Exercise of stock options and similar instruments	484	366
Tax benefits realized from share options exercised	309	95
Receipts of advances and contributions in aid of construction	3,941	4,348
Refunds of advances for construction	-1,070	-1,047
NET CASH PROVIDED BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES	25,387	12,120
NET CHANGE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS	3,724	1,483
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF PERIOD	2,299	2,522
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD	6,023	4,005
Cash paid during the period for:	'	'
Interest	10,551	10,487
Income taxes	1,900	1,260
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash activities:	'	'
Increase in accrued payables for construction costs capitalized	-452	6,560
Utility property installed by developers	3,242	-112
Increase in real estate investments due to accrued tenant improvements	11	583
Accrued intangible assets and other charges related to water supply project in Texas	$0	$2,218

General

General	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]	'
GENERAL	'
	General
	In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments (consisting only of normal, recurring adjustments) necessary for a fair presentation of the results for the interim periods.
	The unaudited interim financial information has been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) and in accordance with the instructions for Form 10-Q and Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). The Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in SJW Corp.'s 2013 Annual Report on Form 10-K should be read with the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
	Water sales are seasonal in nature and influenced by weather conditions. The timing of precipitation and climatic conditions can cause seasonal water consumption by customers to vary significantly. Due to the seasonal nature of the water business, the operating results for interim periods are not indicative of the operating results for a 12-month period. Revenue is generally higher in the warm, dry summer months when water usage and sales are greater, and lower in the winter months when cooler temperatures and increased rainfall curtail water usage and sales. Our service area in California is in the midst of a record drought. In response to this, Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. proclaimed a State of Emergency and directed state officials to take necessary actions to prepare for drought conditions.
	The Santa Clara Valley Water District (“SCVWD”), San Jose Water Company's water wholesaler, has set a target of a 20% reduction for water use in 2014 in accordance with its adopted water shortage contingency plan and recommended that its retail water and municipal customers implement mandatory measures to meet the target. Effective March 31, 2014, San Jose Water Company received approval from the California Public Utilities Commission (“CPUC”) for a Mandatory Conservation Revenue Adjustment Memorandum Account (“MCRAMA”) to track any revenue shortfall and a Mandatory Conservation Memorandum Account (“MCMA”) to track operational and administrative costs associated with the implementation of the 20% conservation goal. San Jose Water Company will record the impact of the MCRAMA and MCMA regulatory accounts once probability of recovery can be determined and collection can be assured within 24 months of the year-end the revenue is recorded. For further discussion, please see Note 11.
	Basic earnings per share is calculated using income available to common shareholders, divided by the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share is calculated using income available to common shareholders divided by the weighted average number of shares of common stock including both shares outstanding and shares potentially issuable in connection with stock options, deferred restricted common stock awards under SJW Corp.'s Long-Term Incentive Plan (as amended, the “Incentive Plan”) and shares potentially issuable under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan (“ESPP”). For the three months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, 680 and 799 anti-dilutive restricted common stock units were excluded from the dilutive earnings per share calculation, respectively. For the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, 1,129 and 1,145 anti-dilutive restricted common stock units were excluded from the dilutive earnings per share calculation, respectively.
	A portion of depreciation expense is allocated to administrative and general expense. For the three months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, the amounts allocated to administrative and general expense were $396 and $395, respectively. For the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, the amounts allocated to administrative and general expense were $792 and $779, respectively.

Equity_Plans

Equity Plans	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]	'
EQUITY PLANS	'
	Equity Plans
	SJW Corp. accounts for share-based compensation based on the grant date fair value of the awards issued to employees in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standard Codification (ASC) Topic 718 - “Compensation - Stock Compensation,” which requires the measurement and recognition of compensation expense based on the estimated fair value for all share-based payment awards.
	The Incentive Plan allows SJW Corp. to provide employees, non-employee board members or the board of directors of any parent or subsidiary, consultants, and other independent advisors who provide services to the company or any parent or subsidiary the opportunity to acquire an equity interest in SJW Corp. The types of awards included in the Incentive Plan are restricted stock awards, restricted stock units, performance shares, or other share-based awards. As of June 30, 2014, the remaining shares available for issuance under the Incentive Plan were 1,110,805, and 309,516 shares were issuable upon the exercise of outstanding options, restricted stock units, and deferred restricted stock units. In addition, shares are issued to employees under the ESPP. SJW Corp. also had a Dividend Reinvestment and Stock Purchase Plan (“DRSPP”) which allowed eligible participants to buy shares and reinvest cash dividends in SJW Corp. common stock. The DRSPP was terminated effective as of April 14, 2014.
	The compensation costs charged to income are recognized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period. A summary of compensation costs charged to income, proceeds from the exercise of stock options and similar instruments, and the tax benefit realized from stock options and similar instruments exercised, that were recorded to additional paid-in capital and common stock, by award type, are presented below for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013.
		Three months ended June 30,			Six months ended June 30,
		2014		2013	2014		2013
	Adjustments to additional paid-in capital and common stock for:
	Compensation costs charged to income:
	ESPP	$	—	—	$	72	58
	Restricted stock and deferred restricted stock	207		242	379		531
	Total compensation costs charged to income	$	207	242	$	451	589
	Excess tax benefits realized from share options exercised and stock issuance:
	Stock options	$	—	—	$	59	—
	Restricted stock and deferred restricted stock	251		65	250		95
	Total excess tax benefits realized from share options exercised and stock issuance	$	251	65	$	309	95
	Proceeds from the exercise of stock options and similar instruments:
	Stock options	$	—	—	$	44	—
	DRSPP	8		21	34		38
	ESPP	—		—	406		328
	Total proceeds from the exercise of stock options and similar instruments	$	8	21	$	484	366
	Stock Options
	No options were granted during the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013.
	As of June 30, 2014, there were no unrecognized compensation costs related to stock options.
	Stock, Restricted Stock and Deferred Restricted Stock
	On January 2, 2014, restricted stock units covering an aggregate of 21,790 shares of common stock of SJW Corp. were granted to certain executives of SJW Corp. and its subsidiaries. The units vest in three equal successive installments upon completion of each year of service with no dividend equivalent rights. Share-based compensation expense based on a grant date fair value of $26.80 per unit is being recognized over the service period beginning in 2014.
	On January 31, 2014, restricted stock units covering an aggregate of 3,845 shares of common stock of SJW Corp. were granted to an executive of SJW Corp. and its subsidiaries. The units vest in three equal successive installments upon completion of each year of service with no dividend equivalent rights. Share-based compensation expense based on a grant date fair value of $26.39 per unit is being recognized over the service period beginning in 2014.
	On April 30, 2014, restricted stock units covering an aggregate of 9,002 shares of common stock of SJW Corp. were granted to the non-employee board members of SJW Corp. The units vest upon continuous board service through the day immediately preceding the date of the next annual shareholder meeting with no dividend equivalent rights. Share-based compensation expense based on grant date fair value of $26.48 per unit is being recognized over the service period beginning in 2014.
	As of June 30, 2014, the total unrecognized compensation costs related to restricted and deferred restricted stock plans amounted to $1,163. This cost is expected to be recognized over a remaining weighted-average period of 1.22 years.
	Dividend Equivalent Rights
	Under the Incentive Plan, certain holders of options, restricted stock, and deferred restricted stock awards may have the right to receive dividend equivalent rights (“DERs”) each time a dividend is paid on common stock after the grant date. Stock compensation on DERs is recognized as a liability and recorded against retained earnings on the date dividends are issued. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2014, $29 and $62, respectively, related to DERs was recorded against retained earnings and was accrued as a liability. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2013, $31 and $65, respectively, related to DERs was recorded against retained earnings and was accrued as a liability.
	Employee Stock Purchase Plan
	The ESPP allows eligible employees to purchase shares of SJW Corp.'s common stock at 85% of the fair value of shares on the purchase date. Under the ESPP, employees can designate up to a maximum of 10% of their base compensation for the purchase of shares of common stock, subject to certain restrictions. A total of 270,400 shares of common stock have been reserved for issuance under the ESPP.
	After considering estimated employee terminations or withdrawals from the plan before the purchase date, SJW Corp.'s recorded expenses were $39 and $75 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014, respectively, and $37 and $58 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2013, respectively, related to the ESPP.
	The total unrecognized compensation costs related to the semi-annual offering period that ends July 31, 2014 for the ESPP is approximately $13. This cost is expected to be recognized during the third quarter of 2014.
	On April 30, 2014, SJW Corp.'s shareholders approved the 2014 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (“2014 ESPP”). Under the 2014 ESPP, 400,000 shares of SJW Corp.'s common stock were reserved for issuance. The remaining available shares for issuance from the predecessor ESPP will not be transferred to the 2014 ESPP. The first offering period for the 2014 ESPP commenced on August 1, 2014.
	Dividend Reinvestment and Stock Purchase Plan
	SJW Corp. adopted the DRSPP effective April 19, 2011. The DRSPP offered shareholders the ability to reinvest cash dividends in SJW Corp. common stock and also purchase additional shares of SJW Corp. common stock. A total of 3,000,000 shares of common stock were reserved for issuance under the DRSPP. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2014, 276 and 1,151 shares, respectively, have been issued under the DRSPP. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2013, 825 and 1,444 shares, respectively, have been issued under the DRSPP.
	SJW Corp. terminated the DRSPP effective as of April 14, 2014. On April 16, 2014, SJW Corp. filed a Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the registration statement on Form S-3 (file no. 333-172048) with the SEC to deregister the 2,993,744 remaining shares of SJW Corp.'s common stock that were available for issuance under the DRSPP at the time of its termination.

Real_Estate_Investments

Real Estate Investments	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Real Estate Investments, Net [Abstract]	'
REAL ESTATE INVESTMENTS	'
	Real Estate Investments
	The major components of real estate investments as of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 are as follows:
		June 30,		December 31,
		2014		2013
	Land	$	17,297	18,892
	Buildings and improvements	56,168		59,256
	Intangibles	329		329
	Subtotal	73,794		78,477
	Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization	10,807		10,658
	Total	$	62,987	67,819
	Depreciation and amortization is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated life of the respective assets, ranging from 5 to 39 years.
	On June 30, 2014, SJW Land Company sold its retail building located in El Paso, Texas for $4,450. SJW Corp. recognized a pre-tax gain on the sale of real estate investment of $273, after selling expenses of $169.
	On February 1, 2013, SJW Land Company sold its warehouse building located in Windsor, Connecticut for $9,200. The Company recognized a pre-tax gain on the sale of real estate investment of $1,063, after selling expenses of $369.

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
INCOME TAXES	'
	Income Taxes
	SJW Corp. accounts for income taxes using the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Measurement of the deferred tax assets and liabilities is at enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in the period that includes the enactment date.
	In the second quarter of 2014, SJW Corp. recorded $880 in State of California enterprise zone sales and use taxes credits related to tax years 2008 through 2012.

Defined_Benefit_Plan

Defined Benefit Plan	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]	'
DEFINED BENEFIT PLAN	'
	Defined Benefit Plan
	San Jose Water Company sponsors a noncontributory defined benefit pension plan for its eligible employees. Employees hired before March 31, 2008 are entitled to receive retirement benefits using a formula based on the employee's three highest years of compensation (whether or not consecutive). For employees hired on or after March 31, 2008, benefits are determined using a cash balance formula based upon compensation credits and interest credits for each employee. Officers hired before March 31, 2008 are eligible to receive additional retirement benefits under the Executive Supplemental Retirement Plan, and officers hired on or after March 31, 2008 are eligible to receive additional retirement benefits under the Cash Balance Executive Supplemental Retirement Plan. Both plans are non-qualified plans in which only officers and other designated members of management may participate. The Company also provides health care and life insurance benefits for retired employees under the San Jose Water Company Social Welfare Plan. The components of net periodic benefit costs for San Jose Water Company's pension plan, its Executive Supplemental Retirement Plan, Cash Balance Executive Supplemental Retirement Plan and Social Welfare Plan for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013 are as follows:
		Three months ended June 30,							Six months ended June 30,
		2014				2013			2014				2013
	Service cost	$	1,051			1,239			$	2,111			2,478
	Interest cost	1,652				1,475			3,303				2,950
	Other cost	625				1,208			1,256				2,416
	Expected return on assets	(1,674		)		(1,380	)		(3,341		)		(2,760	)
		$	1,654			2,542			$	3,329			5,084
	The following tables summarize the fair values of plan assets by major categories as of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013:
				Fair Value Measurements at June 30, 2014
								Quoted				Significant			Significant
								Prices in				Observable			Unobservable
								Active				Inputs			Inputs
								Markets for
								Identical
								Assets
	Asset Category	Benchmark		Total				(Level 1)				(Level 2)			(Level 3)
	Cash and cash equivalents			$	6,337			$	6,337			$	—		$	—
	Actively Managed (a):
	All Cap Equity	Russell 3000 Value		2,618				2,592				26			—
	U.S. Large Cap Equity	Russell 1000, Russell 1000 Growth, Russell 1000 Value		35,699				35,699				—			—
	U.S. Mid Cap Equity	Russell Mid Cap, Russell Mid Cap Growth, Russell Mid Cap Value		5,783				5,783				—			—
	U.S. Small Cap Equity	Russell 2000, Russell 2000 Growth, Russell 2000 Value		3,219				3,219				—			—
	Non-U.S. Large Cap Equity	MSCI EAFE		5,112				5,112				—			—
	REIT	NAREIT - Equity REIT'S		4,616				—				4,616			—
	Fixed Income (b)	(b)		35,907				—				35,907			—
	Total			$	99,291			$	58,742			$	40,549		$	—
	The Plan has a current target allocation of 55% invested in a diversified array of equity securities to provide long-term capital appreciation and 45% invested in a diversified array of fixed income securities to provide preservation of capital plus generation of income.
	(a)	Actively managed portfolio of securities with the goal to exceed the stated benchmark performance.
	(b)	Actively managed portfolio of fixed income securities with the goal to exceed the Barclays 1-5 Year Government/Credit, Barclays Intermediate Government/Credit, and Merrill Lynch Preferred Stock Fixed Rate.
				Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2013
								Quoted				Significant			Significant
								Prices in				Observable			Unobservable
								Active				Inputs			Inputs
								Markets for
								Identical
								Assets
	Asset Category	Benchmark		Total				(Level 1)				(Level 2)			(Level 3)
	Cash and cash equivalents			$	9,127			$	9,127			$	—		$	—
	Actively Managed (a):
	All Cap Equity	Russell 3000 Vaue		283				266				17			—
	U.S. Large Cap Equity	Russell 1000, Russell 1000 Growth, Russell 1000 Value		32,286				32,286				—			—
	U.S. Mid Cap Equity	Russell Mid Cap, Russell Mid Cap Growth, Russell Mid Cap Value		5,551				5,551				—			—
	U.S. Small Cap Equity	Russell 2000, Russell 2000 Growth, Russell 2000 Value		3,236				3,236				—			—
	Non-U.S. Large Cap Equity	MSCI EAFE		5,066				5,066				—			—
	REIT	NAREIT - Equity REIT'S		3,913				—				3,913			—
	Fixed Income (b)	(b)		35,891				—				35,891			—
	Total			$	95,353			$	55,532			$	39,821		$	—
	The Plan has a current target allocation of 55% invested in a diversified array of equity securities to provide long-term capital appreciation and 45% invested in a diversified array of fixed income securities to provide preservation of capital plus generation of income.
	(a)	Actively managed portfolio of securities with the goal to exceed the stated benchmark performance.
	(b)	Actively managed portfolio of fixed income securities with the goal to exceed the Barclays 1-5 Year Government/Credit, Barclays Intermediate Government/Credit, and Merrill Lynch Preferred Stock Fixed Rate.
	In 2014, San Jose Water Company expects to make required and discretionary cash contributions of up to $5,946 to the pension plans and Social Welfare Plan. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2014, $1,819 has been contributed to the pension plans and Social Welfare Plan.

Segment_and_Nonregulated_Busin

Segment and Nonregulated Business Reporting	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
SEGMENT AND NONREGULATED BUSINESS REPORTING	'
	Segment and Nonregulated Business Reporting
	SJW Corp. is a holding company with four subsidiaries: (i) San Jose Water Company, a water utility which operates both regulated and nonregulated businesses, (ii) SJW Land Company and its consolidated variable interest entity, 444 West Santa Clara Street, L.P., which operate commercial building rentals, (iii) SJWTX, Inc. which is doing business as Canyon Lake Water Service Company, a regulated water utility located in Canyon Lake, Texas, and its consolidated nonregulated variable interest entity, Acequia Water Supply Corporation, and (iv) Texas Water Alliance Limited, a nonregulated water utility operation which is undertaking activities that are necessary to develop a water supply project in Texas. In accordance with FASB ASC Topic 280 – “Segment Reporting,” SJW Corp. has determined that it has two reportable business segments. The first segment is that of providing water utility and utility-related services to its customers through SJW Corp.'s subsidiaries, San Jose Water Company, Canyon Lake Water Service Company, and Texas Water Alliance Limited, together referred to as “Water Utility Services.” The second segment is property management and investment activity conducted by SJW Land Company, referred to as “Real Estate Services.”
	SJW Corp.'s reportable segments have been determined based on information used by the chief operating decision maker. SJW Corp.'s chief operating decision maker is its Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”). The CEO reviews financial information presented on a consolidated basis that is accompanied by disaggregated information about operating revenue, net income and total assets, by subsidiaries.
	The tables below set forth information relating to SJW Corp.'s reportable segments and distribution of regulated and nonregulated business activities within the reportable segments. Certain allocated assets, revenue and expenses have been included in the reportable segment amounts. Other business activity of SJW Corp. not included in the reportable segments is included in the “All Other” category.
		For Three Months Ended June 30, 2014
		Water Utility Services				Real Estate Services	All Other*		SJW Corp.
		Regulated		Non		Non	Non		Regulated	Non		Total
				regulated		regulated	regulated			regulated
	Operating revenue	$	66,967	1,553		1,836	—		66,967	3,389		70,356
	Operating expense	55,642		1,216		1,055	322		55,642	2,593		58,235
	Operating income (loss)	11,325		337		781	(322	)	11,325	796		12,121
	Net income (loss)	5,591		132		380	743		5,591	1,255		6,846
	Depreciation and amortization	8,989		90		416	—		8,989	506		9,495
	Senior note, mortgage and other interest expense	4,139		—		262	553		4,139	815		4,954
	Income tax expense (benefit) in net income	2,208		117		273	494		2,208	884		3,092
	Assets	$	1,053,145	17,487		66,300	10,090		1,053,145	93,877		1,147,022
		For Three Months Ended June 30, 2013
		Water Utility Services				Real Estate Services	All Other*		SJW Corp.
		Regulated		Non		Non	Non		Regulated	Non		Total
				regulated		regulated	regulated			regulated
	Operating revenue	$	71,457	1,579		1,194	—		71,457	2,773		74,230
	Operating expense	54,960		1,353		748	232		54,960	2,333		57,293
	Operating income (loss)	16,497		226		446	(232	)	16,497	440		16,937
	Net income (loss)	7,686		108		33	(387	)	7,686	(246	)	7,440
	Depreciation and amortization	8,264		92		387	—		8,264	479		8,743
	Senior note, mortgage and other interest expense	4,146		—		265	545		4,146	810		4,956
	Income tax expense (benefit) in net income	5,379		57		47	(292	)	5,379	(188	)	5,191
	Assets	$	1,034,842	16,596		71,300	7,727		1,034,842	95,623		1,130,465
		For Six Months Ended June 30, 2014
		Water Utility Services				Real Estate Services	All Other*		SJW Corp.
		Regulated		Non		Non	Non		Regulated	Non		Total
				regulated		regulated	regulated			regulated
	Operating revenue	$	118,593	2,781		3,578	—		118,593	6,359		124,952
	Operating expense	102,105		2,088		2,077	507		102,105	4,672		106,777
	Operating income (loss)	16,488		693		1,501	(507	)	16,488	1,687		18,175
	Net income (loss)	6,494		283		584	391		6,494	1,258		7,752
	Depreciation and amortization	17,966		180		834	—		17,966	1,014		18,980
	Senior note, mortgage and other interest expense	8,220		—		499	1,105		8,220	1,604		9,824
	Income tax expense (benefit) in net income	2,760		241		426	226		2,760	893		3,653
	Assets	$	1,053,145	17,487		66,300	10,090		1,053,145	93,877		1,147,022
		For Six Months Ended June 30, 2013
		Water Utility Services				Real Estate Services	All Other*		SJW Corp.
		Regulated		Non		Non	Non		Regulated	Non		Total
				regulated		regulated	regulated			regulated
	Operating revenue	$	119,255	2,665		2,449	—		119,255	5,114		124,369
	Operating expense	96,585		3,035		1,558	481		96,585	5,074		101,659
	Operating income (loss)	22,670		(370	)	891	(481	)	22,670	40		22,710
	Net income (loss)	9,286		(400	)	669	(798	)	9,286	(529	)	8,757
	Depreciation and amortization	16,586		180		793	—		16,586	973		17,559
	Senior note, mortgage and other interest expense	8,298		—		585	1,095		8,298	1,680		9,978
	Income tax expense (benefit) in net income	6,301		(87	)	507	(600	)	6,301	(180	)	6,121
	Assets	$	1,034,842	16,596		71,300	7,727		1,034,842	95,623		1,130,465
	*    The “All Other” category includes the accounts of SJW Corp. on a stand-alone basis.

LongTerm_Liabilities_and_Bank_

Long-Term Liabilities and Bank Borrowings	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Long-Term Liabilities and Bank Borrowings	'
	Long-Term Liabilities and Bank Borrowings
	SJW Corp.'s contractual obligations and commitments include senior notes, mortgages and other obligations. San Jose Water Company, a subsidiary of SJW Corp., has received advance deposit payments from its customers on certain construction projects. Refunds of the advance deposit payments constitute an obligation of San Jose Water Company solely.
	On January 24, 2014, San Jose Water Company entered into a note agreement with John Hancock Life Insurance Company (U.S.A.) and its affiliate (the “Purchaser”), pursuant to which San Jose Water Company agreed to sell an aggregate principal amount of $50,000 of its 5.14% senior note, Series L to the Purchaser. The senior note is an unsecured obligation of San Jose Water Company, due on the date that is the 30th anniversary of the issuance of the senior note. Interest is payable semi-annually in arrears on March 1 and September 1 of each year, commencing March 1, 2015. The closing of the transaction is subject to customary conditions and is expected to occur on August 7, 2014.
	On June 23, 2014, San Jose Water Company and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association (“Wells Fargo”) amended their credit agreement dated as of March 1, 2012, to increase the maximum principal amount available for borrowing from $75,000 to $85,000, and to extend the maturity date to September 1, 2016.
	On June 23, 2014, SJW Corp., SJW Land Company and Wells Fargo amended their credit agreement dated as of March 1, 2012, to extend the maturity date to September 1, 2016.

Fair_Value_Measurement

Fair Value Measurement	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT	'
	Fair Value Measurement
	The following instruments are not measured at fair value on the SJW Corp.'s condensed consolidated balance sheets as of June 30, 2014, but require disclosure of their fair values: cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable. The estimated fair value of such instruments as of June 30, 2014 approximates their carrying value as reported on the condensed consolidated balance sheets. The fair value of such financial instruments are determined using the income approach based on the present value of estimated future cash flows. There have been no changes in our valuation technique during the three months ended June 30, 2014. The fair value of these instruments would be categorized as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy, with the exception of cash and cash equivalents, which would be categorized as Level 1. The fair value of pension plan assets is discussed in Note 5.
	The fair value of SJW Corp.'s long-term debt was approximately $406,000 and $395,684 as of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively, and was determined using a discounted cash flow analysis, based on the current rates for similar financial instruments of the same duration and creditworthiness of the Company. The book value of the long-term debt was $335,253 and $335,551 as of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively. The fair value of long-term debt would be categorized as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.
	The following table summarizes the fair value of the SJW Corps.'s investment in California Water Service Group as of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013:
		Fair Value Measurements at June 30, 2014
				Quoted	Significant	Significant
				Prices in	Observable	Unobservable
				Active	Inputs	Inputs
				Markets for
				Identical
				Assets
		Total		(Level 1)	(Level 2)	(Level 3)
	Assets:
	Investment in California Water Service Group	$	6,271	6,271	—	—
		Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2013
				Quoted	Significant	Significant
				Prices in	Observable	Unobservable
				Active	Inputs	Inputs
				Markets for
				Identical
				Assets
		Total		(Level 1)	(Level 2)	(Level 3)
	Assets:
	Investment in California Water Service Group	$	8,885	8,885	—	—

Balancing_and_Memorandum_Accou

Balancing and Memorandum Account Recovery Procedures	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Balancing and Memorandum Account Recovery Procedures [Abstract]	'
BALANCING AND MEMORANDUM ACCOUNT RECOVERY PROCEDURES	'
	Balancing and Memorandum Account Recovery Procedures
	For California, the CPUC has established a balancing account mechanism for the purpose of tracking the under-collection or over-collection associated with expense changes and the revenue authorized by the CPUC to offset those expense changes. San Jose Water Company also maintains memorandum accounts to track revenue impacts due to catastrophic events, unforeseen water quality expenses related to new federal and state water quality standards, energy efficiency, cost of capital, any revenue requirement impact of the Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization, and Job Creation Act of 2010, and other approved activities or as directed by the CPUC. As of June 30, 2014, the total balance in San Jose Water Company's balancing and memorandum accounts combined, including interest, was a net under-collection of $9,336.
	Balancing and memorandum accounts are recognized in revenue by San Jose Water Company when it is probable that future recovery of previously incurred costs or future refunds that are to be credited to customers will occur through the ratemaking process. In addition, in the case of special revenue programs such as the MCRAMA, collection of the account balance must occur within 24 months of the end of the year the revenue is recorded. In assessing the probability criteria for balancing and memorandum accounts between general rate cases, San Jose Water Company considers evidence that may exist prior to CPUC authorization that would satisfy FASB ASC Topic 980 - “Regulated Operations,” subtopic 340-25 recognition criteria. Such evidence may include regulatory rules and decisions, past practices, and other facts and circumstances that would indicate that recovery or refund is probable. When such evidence provides sufficient support for balance recognition, the balances are recorded in the Company's financial statements.
	San Jose Water Company met the recognition requirements for certain of its balancing and memorandum accounts and certain amounts subject to balancing and memorandum accounts and increased revenue and regulatory assets totaling $1,518 and $1,107 during the three and six months ended June 30, 2014, respectively, and recorded revenue and regulatory assets totaling $1,674 and $3,559 during the three and six months ended June 30, 2013, respectively. All balancing accounts and memorandum-type accounts not included for recovery or refund in the current general rate case will be reviewed by the CPUC in San Jose Water Company's next general rate case or at the time an individual account reaches a threshold of 2% of authorized revenue, whichever occurs first.

Legal_Proceedings

Legal Proceedings	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS	'
	Legal Proceedings
	SJW Corp. is subject to ordinary routine litigation incidental to its business. There are no pending legal proceedings to which SJW Corp. or any of its subsidiaries is a party, or to which any of its properties is the subject, that are expected to have a material effect on SJW Corp.'s business, financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Regulatory_Rate_Filings

Regulatory Rate Filings	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Regulated Operations [Abstract]	'
Regulatory Rate Filings	'
	Regulatory Rate Filings
	On January 3, 2012, San Jose Water Company filed a general rate case application requesting rate increases of $47,394, or 21.51% in 2013, $12,963, or 4.87% in 2014, and $34,797, or 12.59% in 2015. Parties to the proceeding filed open briefs on July 20, 2012 and reply briefs on August 7, 2012. On September 26, 2012, San Jose Water Company filed a motion for interim rate relief so that if a decision was not reached by the end of 2012, San Jose Water Company would be allowed to adopt interim rates, effective January 1, 2013, until a decision is adopted. To date, a final decision has not been adopted and interim rates are currently in effect. Interim rates were set equal to fiscal year-end 2012 rates. Differences between interim rates and approved rates are tracked in a memorandum account and will be submitted for recovery or refund. On July 11, 2014, the CPUC issued a proposed decision in this application. The proposed decision recommends rate increases of $22,063, or 9.79% in 2013, $11,579, or 4.72% in 2014 and $15,356, or 6.02% in 2015. A proposed decision is only a recommendation from the assigned Administrative Law Judge and is not necessarily indicative of what will be adopted in the final decision. San Jose Water Company is currently reviewing the proposed decision and comments were due July 31, 2014. The earliest the proposed decision can be voted on by the CPUC is August 14, 2014. A final decision on this application is expected in the third quarter of 2014.
	On February 28, 2014, San Jose Water Company submitted Advice Letter No. 456. In this advice letter, San Jose Water Company notified the CPUC that San Jose Water Company was implementing conservation Tariff Rule 14.1. The CPUC's Rule 14.1 provides voluntary conservation measures for customers, focusing primarily on outdoor water use which accounts for 50% of a typical customer's water usage. In addition, San Jose Water Company requested the implementation of a MCMA to track all operational and administrative costs associated with the implementation of Rule 14.1 and implementation of a MCRAMA to track any revenue shortfall associated with the implementation of the 20% conservation goal. The advice letter was approved on March 21, 2014 and the Rule 14.1 voluntary conservation measures, the MCMA, and MCRAMA all went into effect on March 31, 2014. San Jose Water Company will record the impact of the MCRAMA and MCMA regulatory accounts once probability of recovery can be determined and collection can be assured within 24 months of the year-end the revenue is recorded.
	On May 23, 2014, San Jose Water Company filed Advice Letter No. 461 seeking authorization to increase revenue by $9,400, or approximately 3.6% to offset increases to SCVWD groundwater production charges and treated water charges. The CPUC authorized this increase, and the increase became effective on July 1, 2014.
	On October 3, 2013, CLWSC filed a rate case with the TCEQ. The filing contained a request for an average system-wide rate increase of 23.1%, or $2,400. With the exception of customers served within the City of Bulverde, the new rates became effective on December 2, 2013. Subsequently, effective March 1, 2014, a rate settlement agreement was reached with the City of Bulverde with rate increases being phased-in over a 28-month period. Prior to approval by the TCEQ, the new rates are subject to adjustment and refund for customers outside the City of Bulverde. A preliminary hearing in the matter for customers outside the City of Bulverde was completed on July 22, 2014, at which time an Administrative Law Judge allowed additional time until September 12, 2014 for the involved parties to attempt to reach a settlement. CLWSC has recognized the average 23.1% increase in accordance with ASC Topic 980 which provides guidance when a regulated entity is permitted to bill requested rate increases before the regulator has ruled on the request. If information becomes available that indicates it is probable that any of the average 23.1% rate increase will need to be refunded and the amount of refund can be reasonably estimated, a loss contingency shall be accrued. CLWSC has determined at this time that it is not probable that any of the rate increase will need to be refunded. Management does not anticipate that the final TCEQ decision will materially affect SJW Corp.'s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Sale_of_California_Water_Servi

Sale of California Water Service	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]	'
Sale of California Water Service Group Stock	'
	Sale of California Water Service Group Stock
	On June 30, 2014, SJW Corp. sold 125,969 shares of California Water Service Group for $3,056, before fees of $10. SJW Corp. recognized a gain on the sale of the stock of approximately $2,017, tax expense of approximately $822, for a net gain of $1,195. The unrealized holding gain associated with the shares sold, that was reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income was $1,171 and was based on the fair value of the stock as of March 31, 2014. As of June 30, 2014, SJW Corp. held 259,151 shares of California Water Service Group. The company classifies its investment in California Water Service Group as available for sale. The stock is carried at the quoted market price with the changes in unrealized gain or loss reported, net of tax, as a component of other comprehensive income.

Subsequent_Events

Subsequent Events	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Subsequent Events [Abstract]	'
Subsequent Events	'
	Subsequent Events
	On July 30, 2014, SJW Corp. and the Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer of SJW Corp., entered into an amendment (the “Amendment”) to the amended and restated employment agreement (the “Employment Agreement”). Pursuant to such Amendment, (i) the employment term under the Employment Agreement was extended to December 31, 2017, and (ii) the annual base salary was increased for each of the 2015, 2016 and 2017 calendar years. The Amendment also provides for the grant of certain service-based and performance-based restricted stock unit awards under SJW Corps.'s Long-Term Incentive Plan.

General_Policies

General (Policies)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]	'
Basis of Accounting, Policy	'
	The unaudited interim financial information has been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) and in accordance with the instructions for Form 10-Q and Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). The Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in SJW Corp.'s 2013 Annual Report on Form 10-K should be read with the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
Earnings Per Share, Policy	'
	Basic earnings per share is calculated using income available to common shareholders, divided by the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share is calculated using income available to common shareholders divided by the weighted average number of shares of common stock including both shares outstanding and shares potentially issuable in connection with stock options, deferred restricted common stock awards under SJW Corp.'s Long-Term Incentive Plan (as amended, the “Incentive Plan”) and shares potentially issuable under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan (“ESPP”).

Equity_Plans_Tables

Equity Plans (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Compensation Cost for Share-based Payment Arrangements, Allocation of Share-based Compensation Costs by Plan	'
	A summary of compensation costs charged to income, proceeds from the exercise of stock options and similar instruments, and the tax benefit realized from stock options and similar instruments exercised, that were recorded to additional paid-in capital and common stock, by award type, are presented below for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013.
		Three months ended June 30,			Six months ended June 30,
		2014		2013	2014		2013
	Adjustments to additional paid-in capital and common stock for:
	Compensation costs charged to income:
	ESPP	$	—	—	$	72	58
	Restricted stock and deferred restricted stock	207		242	379		531
	Total compensation costs charged to income	$	207	242	$	451	589
	Excess tax benefits realized from share options exercised and stock issuance:
	Stock options	$	—	—	$	59	—
	Restricted stock and deferred restricted stock	251		65	250		95
	Total excess tax benefits realized from share options exercised and stock issuance	$	251	65	$	309	95
	Proceeds from the exercise of stock options and similar instruments:
	Stock options	$	—	—	$	44	—
	DRSPP	8		21	34		38
	ESPP	—		—	406		328
	Total proceeds from the exercise of stock options and similar instruments	$	8	21	$	484	366

Real_Estate_Investments_Tables

Real Estate Investments (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Real Estate Investments, Net [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Real Estate Investments	'
	The major components of real estate investments as of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 are as follows:
		June 30,		December 31,
		2014		2013
	Land	$	17,297	18,892
	Buildings and improvements	56,168		59,256
	Intangibles	329		329
	Subtotal	73,794		78,477
	Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization	10,807		10,658
	Total	$	62,987	67,819

Defined_Benfit_Plan_Tables

Defined Benfit Plan (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Net Benefit Costs	'
	The components of net periodic benefit costs for San Jose Water Company's pension plan, its Executive Supplemental Retirement Plan, Cash Balance Executive Supplemental Retirement Plan and Social Welfare Plan for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013 are as follows:
		Three months ended June 30,							Six months ended June 30,
		2014				2013			2014				2013
	Service cost	$	1,051			1,239			$	2,111			2,478
	Interest cost	1,652				1,475			3,303				2,950
	Other cost	625				1,208			1,256				2,416
	Expected return on assets	(1,674		)		(1,380	)		(3,341		)		(2,760	)
		$	1,654			2,542			$	3,329			5,084
Schedule of Allocation of Plan Assets	'
	The following tables summarize the fair values of plan assets by major categories as of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013:
				Fair Value Measurements at June 30, 2014
								Quoted				Significant			Significant
								Prices in				Observable			Unobservable
								Active				Inputs			Inputs
								Markets for
								Identical
								Assets
	Asset Category	Benchmark		Total				(Level 1)				(Level 2)			(Level 3)
	Cash and cash equivalents			$	6,337			$	6,337			$	—		$	—
	Actively Managed (a):
	All Cap Equity	Russell 3000 Value		2,618				2,592				26			—
	U.S. Large Cap Equity	Russell 1000, Russell 1000 Growth, Russell 1000 Value		35,699				35,699				—			—
	U.S. Mid Cap Equity	Russell Mid Cap, Russell Mid Cap Growth, Russell Mid Cap Value		5,783				5,783				—			—
	U.S. Small Cap Equity	Russell 2000, Russell 2000 Growth, Russell 2000 Value		3,219				3,219				—			—
	Non-U.S. Large Cap Equity	MSCI EAFE		5,112				5,112				—			—
	REIT	NAREIT - Equity REIT'S		4,616				—				4,616			—
	Fixed Income (b)	(b)		35,907				—				35,907			—
	Total			$	99,291			$	58,742			$	40,549		$	—
	The Plan has a current target allocation of 55% invested in a diversified array of equity securities to provide long-term capital appreciation and 45% invested in a diversified array of fixed income securities to provide preservation of capital plus generation of income.
	(a)	Actively managed portfolio of securities with the goal to exceed the stated benchmark performance.
	(b)	Actively managed portfolio of fixed income securities with the goal to exceed the Barclays 1-5 Year Government/Credit, Barclays Intermediate Government/Credit, and Merrill Lynch Preferred Stock Fixed Rate.
				Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2013
								Quoted				Significant			Significant
								Prices in				Observable			Unobservable
								Active				Inputs			Inputs
								Markets for
								Identical
								Assets
	Asset Category	Benchmark		Total				(Level 1)				(Level 2)			(Level 3)
	Cash and cash equivalents			$	9,127			$	9,127			$	—		$	—
	Actively Managed (a):
	All Cap Equity	Russell 3000 Vaue		283				266				17			—
	U.S. Large Cap Equity	Russell 1000, Russell 1000 Growth, Russell 1000 Value		32,286				32,286				—			—
	U.S. Mid Cap Equity	Russell Mid Cap, Russell Mid Cap Growth, Russell Mid Cap Value		5,551				5,551				—			—
	U.S. Small Cap Equity	Russell 2000, Russell 2000 Growth, Russell 2000 Value		3,236				3,236				—			—
	Non-U.S. Large Cap Equity	MSCI EAFE		5,066				5,066				—			—
	REIT	NAREIT - Equity REIT'S		3,913				—				3,913			—
	Fixed Income (b)	(b)		35,891				—				35,891			—
	Total			$	95,353			$	55,532			$	39,821		$	—
	The Plan has a current target allocation of 55% invested in a diversified array of equity securities to provide long-term capital appreciation and 45% invested in a diversified array of fixed income securities to provide preservation of capital plus generation of income.
	(a)	Actively managed portfolio of securities with the goal to exceed the stated benchmark performance.
	(b)	Actively managed portfolio of fixed income securities with the goal to exceed the Barclays 1-5 Year Government/Credit, Barclays Intermediate Government/Credit, and Merrill Lynch Preferred Stock Fixed Rate.

Segment_and_Nonregulated_Busin1

Segment and Nonregulated Business Reporting (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment	'
	The tables below set forth information relating to SJW Corp.'s reportable segments and distribution of regulated and nonregulated business activities within the reportable segments. Certain allocated assets, revenue and expenses have been included in the reportable segment amounts. Other business activity of SJW Corp. not included in the reportable segments is included in the “All Other” category.
		For Three Months Ended June 30, 2014
		Water Utility Services				Real Estate Services	All Other*		SJW Corp.
		Regulated		Non		Non	Non		Regulated	Non		Total
				regulated		regulated	regulated			regulated
	Operating revenue	$	66,967	1,553		1,836	—		66,967	3,389		70,356
	Operating expense	55,642		1,216		1,055	322		55,642	2,593		58,235
	Operating income (loss)	11,325		337		781	(322	)	11,325	796		12,121
	Net income (loss)	5,591		132		380	743		5,591	1,255		6,846
	Depreciation and amortization	8,989		90		416	—		8,989	506		9,495
	Senior note, mortgage and other interest expense	4,139		—		262	553		4,139	815		4,954
	Income tax expense (benefit) in net income	2,208		117		273	494		2,208	884		3,092
	Assets	$	1,053,145	17,487		66,300	10,090		1,053,145	93,877		1,147,022
		For Three Months Ended June 30, 2013
		Water Utility Services				Real Estate Services	All Other*		SJW Corp.
		Regulated		Non		Non	Non		Regulated	Non		Total
				regulated		regulated	regulated			regulated
	Operating revenue	$	71,457	1,579		1,194	—		71,457	2,773		74,230
	Operating expense	54,960		1,353		748	232		54,960	2,333		57,293
	Operating income (loss)	16,497		226		446	(232	)	16,497	440		16,937
	Net income (loss)	7,686		108		33	(387	)	7,686	(246	)	7,440
	Depreciation and amortization	8,264		92		387	—		8,264	479		8,743
	Senior note, mortgage and other interest expense	4,146		—		265	545		4,146	810		4,956
	Income tax expense (benefit) in net income	5,379		57		47	(292	)	5,379	(188	)	5,191
	Assets	$	1,034,842	16,596		71,300	7,727		1,034,842	95,623		1,130,465
		For Six Months Ended June 30, 2014
		Water Utility Services				Real Estate Services	All Other*		SJW Corp.
		Regulated		Non		Non	Non		Regulated	Non		Total
				regulated		regulated	regulated			regulated
	Operating revenue	$	118,593	2,781		3,578	—		118,593	6,359		124,952
	Operating expense	102,105		2,088		2,077	507		102,105	4,672		106,777
	Operating income (loss)	16,488		693		1,501	(507	)	16,488	1,687		18,175
	Net income (loss)	6,494		283		584	391		6,494	1,258		7,752
	Depreciation and amortization	17,966		180		834	—		17,966	1,014		18,980
	Senior note, mortgage and other interest expense	8,220		—		499	1,105		8,220	1,604		9,824
	Income tax expense (benefit) in net income	2,760		241		426	226		2,760	893		3,653
	Assets	$	1,053,145	17,487		66,300	10,090		1,053,145	93,877		1,147,022
		For Six Months Ended June 30, 2013
		Water Utility Services				Real Estate Services	All Other*		SJW Corp.
		Regulated		Non		Non	Non		Regulated	Non		Total
				regulated		regulated	regulated			regulated
	Operating revenue	$	119,255	2,665		2,449	—		119,255	5,114		124,369
	Operating expense	96,585		3,035		1,558	481		96,585	5,074		101,659
	Operating income (loss)	22,670		(370	)	891	(481	)	22,670	40		22,710
	Net income (loss)	9,286		(400	)	669	(798	)	9,286	(529	)	8,757
	Depreciation and amortization	16,586		180		793	—		16,586	973		17,559
	Senior note, mortgage and other interest expense	8,298		—		585	1,095		8,298	1,680		9,978
	Income tax expense (benefit) in net income	6,301		(87	)	507	(600	)	6,301	(180	)	6,121
	Assets	$	1,034,842	16,596		71,300	7,727		1,034,842	95,623		1,130,465
	*    The “All Other” category includes the accounts of SJW Corp. on a stand-alone basis.

Fair_Value_Measurement_Tables

Fair Value Measurement (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis	'
	The following table summarizes the fair value of the SJW Corps.'s investment in California Water Service Group as of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013:
		Fair Value Measurements at June 30, 2014
				Quoted	Significant	Significant
				Prices in	Observable	Unobservable
				Active	Inputs	Inputs
				Markets for
				Identical
				Assets
		Total		(Level 1)	(Level 2)	(Level 3)
	Assets:
	Investment in California Water Service Group	$	6,271	6,271	—	—
		Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2013
				Quoted	Significant	Significant
				Prices in	Observable	Unobservable
				Active	Inputs	Inputs
				Markets for
				Identical
				Assets
		Total		(Level 1)	(Level 2)	(Level 3)
	Assets:
	Investment in California Water Service Group	$	8,885	8,885	—	—

General_Additional_Information

General - Additional Information (Details)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]	'
Water Reduction Target Goal, Percentage	20.00%

General_Earnings_Per_Share_Det

General - Earnings Per Share (Details) (Restricted Stock and Stock Options [Member])	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Restricted Stock and Stock Options [Member]	'	'	'	'
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Anti-dilutive restricted common stock units excluded from computation of earnings per share	680	799	1,129	1,145

General_Depreciation_Details

General - Depreciation (Details) (General and Administrative Expense [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
General and Administrative Expense [Member]	'	'	'	'
Public Utility, Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Depreciation	$396	$395	$792	$779

Equity_Plans_Details

Equity Plans (Details) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2013

Apr. 30, 2014

Jan. 31, 2014

Jan. 02, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2013

Apr. 14, 2014

Incentive Plan [Member]

Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP) [Member]

Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP) [Member]

Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP) [Member]

Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP) [Member]

2014 Employee Stock Purchase Plan [Member]

Dividend Reinvestment and Stock Purchase Plan (DRSPP) [Member]

Dividend Reinvestment and Stock Purchase Plan (DRSPP) [Member]

Dividend Reinvestment and Stock Purchase Plan (DRSPP) [Member]

Dividend Reinvestment and Stock Purchase Plan (DRSPP) [Member]

Restricted Stock and Deferred Restricted Stock [Member]

Restricted Stock and Deferred Restricted Stock [Member]

Restricted Stock and Deferred Restricted Stock [Member]

Restricted Stock and Deferred Restricted Stock [Member]

Stock Options [Member]

Stock Options [Member]

Stock Options [Member]

Stock Options [Member]

Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]

Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]

Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]

Common Stock [Member]

Dividend Equivalent Rights [Member]

Dividend Equivalent Rights [Member]

Dividend Equivalent Rights [Member]

Dividend Equivalent Rights [Member]

Common Stock [Member]

vesting_installment

vesting_installment

Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP) [Member]

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Remaining shares available for issuance under the Incentive Plan

'

'

'

'

1,110,805

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Shares issuable upon exercise of Incentive Plan awards

'

'

'

'

309,516

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Compensation costs charged to income:

$207,000

$242,000

$451,000

$589,000

'

$0

$0

$72,000

$58,000

'

'

'

'

'

$207,000

$242,000

$379,000

$531,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Excess tax benefits realized from share options exercised and stock issuance

251,000

65,000

309,000

95,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

251,000

65,000

250,000

95,000

0

0

59,000

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Proceeds from the exercise of stock options and similar instruments

8,000

21,000

484,000

366,000

'

0

0

406,000

328,000

'

8,000

21,000

34,000

38,000

'

'

'

'

0

0

44,000

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Unrecognized compensation costs

'

'

'

'

'

13,000

'

13,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,163,000

'

1,163,000

'

0

'

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Recognition period for unrecognized compensation cost

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'1 year 2 months 19 days

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of equity instruments granted

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

9,002

3,845

21,790

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of equal successive installments for vesting of stock awards

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

3

3

'

'

'

'

'

'

Grant date fair value of equity instruments granted

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$26.48

$26.39

$26.80

'

'

'

'

'

'

Liability accrued for Dividend Equivalent Rights

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

29,000

31,000

62,000

65,000

'

Decrease to retained earnings for compensation cost related to Dividend Equivalent Rights

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

29,000

31,000

62,000

65,000

'

Purchase price of common stock under ESPP, percent

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

85.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Maximum percentage of base compensation employees can designate for stock purchases under ESPP

'

'

'

'

'

10.00%

'

10.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of shares authorized for issuance under the plan

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

400,000

3,000,000

'

3,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

270,400

'

'

'

'

'

Plan expense

'

'

'

'

'

$39,000

$37,000

$75,000

$58,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of shares issued under the DRSPP

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

276

825

1,151

1,444

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Shares Deregistered (in shares)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2,993,744

Real_Estate_Investments_Detail

Real Estate Investments (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended			6 Months Ended		0 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Feb. 01, 2013
						Minimum [Member]	Maximum [Member]	Texas Retail Buildings [Member]	Connecticut Warehouse [Member]
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Proceeds from Sale of Real Estate Held-for-investment	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	$4,450	$9,200
Land	17,297	'	17,297	'	18,892	'	'	'	'
Building and improvements	56,168	'	56,168	'	59,256	'	'	'	'
Intangibles	329	'	329	'	329	'	'	'	'
Subtotal	73,794	'	73,794	'	78,477	'	'	'	'
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	10,807	'	10,807	'	10,658	'	'	'	'
Total	62,987	'	62,987	'	67,819	'	'	'	'
Estimated useful life	'	'	'	'	'	'5 years	'39 years	'	'
Gain on sale of real estate investment	273	0	273	1,063	'	'	'	273	1,063
Real Estate Selling Expenses	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	$169	$369

Income_Taxes_Details

Income Taxes (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Income Tax Credits and Adjustments	$880

Defined_Benfit_Plan_Details

Defined Benfit Plan (Details) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

In Thousands, unless otherwise specified

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets, Level 1 [Member]

Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets, Level 1 [Member]

Significant Observable Inputs, Level 2 [Member]

Significant Observable Inputs, Level 2 [Member]

Significant Unobservable Inputs, Level 3 [Member]

Significant Unobservable Inputs, Level 3 [Member]

Equity Securities [Member]

Equity Securities [Member]

Fixed Income Securities [Member]

Fixed Income Securities [Member]

Cash and cash equivalents [Member]

Cash and cash equivalents [Member]

Cash and cash equivalents [Member]

Cash and cash equivalents [Member]

Cash and cash equivalents [Member]

Cash and cash equivalents [Member]

Cash and cash equivalents [Member]

Cash and cash equivalents [Member]

Actively Managed [Member]

Actively Managed [Member]

Actively Managed [Member]

Actively Managed [Member]

Actively Managed [Member]

Actively Managed [Member]

Actively Managed [Member]

Actively Managed [Member]

Actively Managed [Member]

Actively Managed [Member]

Actively Managed [Member]

Actively Managed [Member]

Actively Managed [Member]

Actively Managed [Member]

Actively Managed [Member]

Actively Managed [Member]

Actively Managed [Member]

Actively Managed [Member]

Actively Managed [Member]

Actively Managed [Member]

Actively Managed [Member]

Actively Managed [Member]

Actively Managed [Member]

Actively Managed [Member]

Actively Managed [Member]

Actively Managed [Member]

Actively Managed [Member]

Actively Managed [Member]

Actively Managed [Member]

Actively Managed [Member]

Actively Managed [Member]

Actively Managed [Member]

Actively Managed [Member]

Actively Managed [Member]

Actively Managed [Member]

Actively Managed [Member]

Actively Managed [Member]

Actively Managed [Member]

Actively Managed [Member]

Actively Managed [Member]

Actively Managed [Member]

Actively Managed [Member]

Actively Managed [Member]

Actively Managed [Member]

Actively Managed [Member]

Actively Managed [Member]

Actively Managed [Member]

Actively Managed [Member]

Fixed Income [Member]

Fixed Income [Member]

Fixed Income [Member]

Fixed Income [Member]

Fixed Income [Member]

Fixed Income [Member]

Fixed Income [Member]

Fixed Income [Member]

Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets, Level 1 [Member]

Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets, Level 1 [Member]

Significant Observable Inputs, Level 2 [Member]

Significant Observable Inputs, Level 2 [Member]

Significant Unobservable Inputs, Level 3 [Member]

Significant Unobservable Inputs, Level 3 [Member]

All Cap Equity Fund [Member]

All Cap Equity Fund [Member]

All Cap Equity Fund [Member]

All Cap Equity Fund [Member]

All Cap Equity Fund [Member]

All Cap Equity Fund [Member]

All Cap Equity Fund [Member]

All Cap Equity Fund [Member]

U.S. Large Cap Equity [Member]

U.S. Large Cap Equity [Member]

U.S. Large Cap Equity [Member]

U.S. Large Cap Equity [Member]

U.S. Large Cap Equity [Member]

U.S. Large Cap Equity [Member]

U.S. Large Cap Equity [Member]

U.S. Large Cap Equity [Member]

U.S. Mid Cap Equity [Member]

U.S. Mid Cap Equity [Member]

U.S. Mid Cap Equity [Member]

U.S. Mid Cap Equity [Member]

U.S. Mid Cap Equity [Member]

U.S. Mid Cap Equity [Member]

U.S. Mid Cap Equity [Member]

U.S. Mid Cap Equity [Member]

U.S. Small Cap Equity [Member]

U.S. Small Cap Equity [Member]

U.S. Small Cap Equity [Member]

U.S. Small Cap Equity [Member]

U.S. Small Cap Equity [Member]

U.S. Small Cap Equity [Member]

U.S. Small Cap Equity [Member]

U.S. Small Cap Equity [Member]

Non-U.S. Large Cap Equity [Member]

Non-U.S. Large Cap Equity [Member]

Non-U.S. Large Cap Equity [Member]

Non-U.S. Large Cap Equity [Member]

Non-U.S. Large Cap Equity [Member]

Non-U.S. Large Cap Equity [Member]

Non-U.S. Large Cap Equity [Member]

Non-U.S. Large Cap Equity [Member]

REIT [Member]

REIT [Member]

REIT [Member]

REIT [Member]

REIT [Member]

REIT [Member]

REIT [Member]

REIT [Member]

Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets, Level 1 [Member]

Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets, Level 1 [Member]

Significant Observable Inputs, Level 2 [Member]

Significant Observable Inputs, Level 2 [Member]

Significant Unobservable Inputs, Level 3 [Member]

Significant Unobservable Inputs, Level 3 [Member]

Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets, Level 1 [Member]

Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets, Level 1 [Member]

Significant Observable Inputs, Level 2 [Member]

Significant Observable Inputs, Level 2 [Member]

Significant Unobservable Inputs, Level 3 [Member]

Significant Unobservable Inputs, Level 3 [Member]

Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets, Level 1 [Member]

Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets, Level 1 [Member]

Significant Observable Inputs, Level 2 [Member]

Significant Observable Inputs, Level 2 [Member]

Significant Unobservable Inputs, Level 3 [Member]

Significant Unobservable Inputs, Level 3 [Member]

Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets, Level 1 [Member]

Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets, Level 1 [Member]

Significant Observable Inputs, Level 2 [Member]

Significant Observable Inputs, Level 2 [Member]

Significant Unobservable Inputs, Level 3 [Member]

Significant Unobservable Inputs, Level 3 [Member]

Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets, Level 1 [Member]

Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets, Level 1 [Member]

Significant Observable Inputs, Level 2 [Member]

Significant Observable Inputs, Level 2 [Member]

Significant Unobservable Inputs, Level 3 [Member]

Significant Unobservable Inputs, Level 3 [Member]

Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets, Level 1 [Member]

Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets, Level 1 [Member]

Significant Observable Inputs, Level 2 [Member]

Significant Observable Inputs, Level 2 [Member]

Significant Unobservable Inputs, Level 3 [Member]

Significant Unobservable Inputs, Level 3 [Member]

Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets, Level 1 [Member]

Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets, Level 1 [Member]

Significant Observable Inputs, Level 2 [Member]

Significant Observable Inputs, Level 2 [Member]

Significant Unobservable Inputs, Level 3 [Member]

Significant Unobservable Inputs, Level 3 [Member]

Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost [Abstract]

'

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Service cost

$1,051

$1,239

$2,111

$2,478

'

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'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Interest cost

1,652

1,475

3,303

2,950

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

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'

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'

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'

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'

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'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Other cost

625

1,208

1,256

2,416

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

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'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Expected return on assets

-1,674

-1,380

-3,341

-2,760

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

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'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Net periodic benefit cost

1,654

2,542

3,329

5,084

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

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'

'

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'

'

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'

'

'

Plan Assets [Abstract]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

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'

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'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fair value of plan assets

99,291

'

99,291

'

95,353

58,742

55,532

40,549

39,821

0

0

'

'

'

'

6,337

9,127

6,337

9,127

0

0

0

0

2,618

[1]

283

[1]

2,592

[1]

266

[1]

26

[1]

17

[1]

0

[1]

0

[1]

35,699

[1]

32,286

[1]

35,699

[1]

32,286

[1]

0

[1]

0

[1]

0

[1]

0

[1]

5,783

[1]

5,551

[1]

5,783

[1]

5,551

[1]

0

[1]

0

[1]

0

[1]

0

[1]

3,219

[1]

3,236

[1]

3,219

[1]

3,236

[1]

0

[1]

0

[1]

0

[1]

0

[1]

5,112

[1]

5,066

[1]

5,112

[1]

5,066

[1]

0

[1]

0

[1]

0

[1]

0

[1]

4,616

[1]

3,913

[1]

0

[1]

0

[1]

4,616

[1]

3,913

[1]

0

[1]

0

[1]

35,907

[2]

35,891

[2]

0

[2]

0

[2]

35,907

[2]

35,891

[2]

0

[2]

0

[2]

Target plan asset allocations

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

55.00%

55.00%

45.00%

45.00%

'

'

'

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'

Employer Contributions [Abstract]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

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'

'

'

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'

'

'

Estimated employer contributions for the current fiscal year

5,946

'

5,946

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

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'

'

'

'

'

Actual employer contribution amount in current period

$1,819

'

$1,819

'

'

'

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'

'

'

[1]

Actively managed portfolio of securities with the goal to exceed the stated benchmark performance.

[2]

Actively managed portfolio of fixed income securities with the goal to exceed the Barclays 1-5 Year Government/Credit, Barclays Intermediate Government/Credit, and Merrill Lynch Preferred Stock Fixed Rate.

Segment_and_Nonregulated_Busin2

Segment and Nonregulated Business Reporting (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014		Jun. 30, 2013		Jun. 30, 2014		Jun. 30, 2013		Dec. 31, 2013
					subsidiaries
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'		'		'		'		'
Number of Subsidiaries	'		'		4		'		'
Operating revenue	$70,356		$74,230		$124,952		$124,369		'
Operating expense	58,235		57,293		106,777		101,659		'
Operating income (loss)	12,121		16,937		18,175		22,710		'
Net income (loss)	6,846		7,440		7,752		8,757		'
Depreciation and amortization	9,495		8,743		18,980		17,559		'
Senior note, mortgage and other interest expense	4,954		4,956		9,824		9,978		'
Income tax expense (benefit) in net income	3,092		5,191		3,653		6,121		'
Assets	1,147,022		1,130,465		1,147,022		1,130,465		1,109,986
Water Utility Services [Member] | Regulated [Member]	'		'		'		'		'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'		'		'		'		'
Operating revenue	66,967		71,457		118,593		119,255		'
Operating expense	55,642		54,960		102,105		96,585		'
Operating income (loss)	11,325		16,497		16,488		22,670		'
Net income (loss)	5,591		7,686		6,494		9,286		'
Depreciation and amortization	8,989		8,264		17,966		16,586		'
Senior note, mortgage and other interest expense	4,139		4,146		8,220		8,298		'
Income tax expense (benefit) in net income	2,208		5,379		2,760		6,301		'
Assets	1,053,145		1,034,842		1,053,145		1,034,842		'
Water Utility Services [Member] | Nonregulated [Member]	'		'		'		'		'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'		'		'		'		'
Operating revenue	1,553		1,579		2,781		2,665		'
Operating expense	1,216		1,353		2,088		3,035		'
Operating income (loss)	337		226		693		-370		'
Net income (loss)	132		108		283		-400		'
Depreciation and amortization	90		92		180		180		'
Senior note, mortgage and other interest expense	0		0		0		0		'
Income tax expense (benefit) in net income	117		57		241		-87		'
Assets	17,487		16,596		17,487		16,596		'
Real Estate Services [Member] | Nonregulated [Member]	'		'		'		'		'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'		'		'		'		'
Operating revenue	1,836		1,194		3,578		2,449		'
Operating expense	1,055		748		2,077		1,558		'
Operating income (loss)	781		446		1,501		891		'
Net income (loss)	380		33		584		669		'
Depreciation and amortization	416		387		834		793		'
Senior note, mortgage and other interest expense	262		265		499		585		'
Income tax expense (benefit) in net income	273		47		426		507		'
Assets	66,300		71,300		66,300		71,300		'
All Other [Member] | Nonregulated [Member]	'		'		'		'		'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'		'		'		'		'
Operating revenue	0	[1]	0	[1]	0	[1]	0	[1]	'
Operating expense	322	[1]	232	[1]	507	[1]	481	[1]	'
Operating income (loss)	-322	[1]	-232	[1]	-507	[1]	-481	[1]	'
Net income (loss)	743	[1]	-387	[1]	391	[1]	-798	[1]	'
Depreciation and amortization	0	[1]	0	[1]	0	[1]	0	[1]	'
Senior note, mortgage and other interest expense	553	[1]	545	[1]	1,105	[1]	1,095	[1]	'
Income tax expense (benefit) in net income	494	[1]	-292	[1]	226	[1]	-600	[1]	'
Assets	10,090	[1]	7,727	[1]	10,090	[1]	7,727	[1]	'
SJW Corp. [Member] | Regulated [Member]	'		'		'		'		'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'		'		'		'		'
Operating revenue	66,967		71,457		118,593		119,255		'
Operating expense	55,642		54,960		102,105		96,585		'
Operating income (loss)	11,325		16,497		16,488		22,670		'
Net income (loss)	5,591		7,686		6,494		9,286		'
Depreciation and amortization	8,989		8,264		17,966		16,586		'
Senior note, mortgage and other interest expense	4,139		4,146		8,220		8,298		'
Income tax expense (benefit) in net income	2,208		5,379		2,760		6,301		'
Assets	1,053,145		1,034,842		1,053,145		1,034,842		'
SJW Corp. [Member] | Nonregulated [Member]	'		'		'		'		'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'		'		'		'		'
Operating revenue	3,389		2,773		6,359		5,114		'
Operating expense	2,593		2,333		4,672		5,074		'
Operating income (loss)	796		440		1,687		40		'
Net income (loss)	1,255		-246		1,258		-529		'
Depreciation and amortization	506		479		1,014		973		'
Senior note, mortgage and other interest expense	815		810		1,604		1,680		'
Income tax expense (benefit) in net income	884		-188		893		-180		'
Assets	$93,877		$95,623		$93,877		$95,623		'
[1]	The bAll Otherb category includes the accounts of SJW Corp. on a stand-alone basis.

LongTerm_Liabilities_and_Bank_1

Long-Term Liabilities and Bank Borrowings (Details) (USD $)	0 Months Ended
	Jan. 24, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014
	Senior Notes [Member]	Subsidiaries [Member]	Subsidiaries [Member]
		Lender [Member]	Lender [Member]
		Revolving Credit Facility [Member]	Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'
Principal sold	$50,000,000	'	'
Interest rate	5.14%	'	'
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity	'	$85,000,000	$75,000,000

Fair_Value_Measurement_Details

Fair Value Measurement (Details) (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Long-term debt	$335,253	$335,551
Investment in California Water Service Group	6,271	8,885
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets, Level 1 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Investment in California Water Service Group	6,271	8,885
Significant Observable Inputs, Level 2 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Long-term debt, fair value	406,000	395,684
Investment in California Water Service Group	0	0
Significant Unobservable Inputs, Level 3 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Investment in California Water Service Group	$0	$0

Balancing_and_Memorandum_Accou1

Balancing and Memorandum Account Recovery Procedures (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Balancing and Memorandum Account Recovery Procedures [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Balancing and Memorandum Account, Net	$9,336	'	$9,336	'
Balancing and Memorandum Accounts, Revenue and Regulatory Assets	$1,518	$1,674	$1,107	$3,559
Threshold as a percentage of authorized revenue for balancing account or memorandum account review	2.00%	'	2.00%	'

Regulatory_Rate_Filings_Detail

Regulatory Rate Filings (Details) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	23-May-14	Oct. 03, 2013	Jan. 03, 2012	Jul. 11, 2014
					Subsequent Event [Member]
Regulatory Rate [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Requested rate increase, authorized revenue, year one	'	'	'	$47,394	'
Requested rate increase, authorized revenue, year one percent	'	'	'	21.51%	'
Requested rate increase, authorized revenue, year two	'	'	'	12,963	'
Requested rate increase, authorized revenue, year two percent	'	'	'	4.87%	'
Requested rate increase, authorized revenue, year three	'	'	'	34,797	'
Requested rate increase, authorized revenue, year three percent	'	'	'	12.59%	'
Proposed Rate Increase, Authorized Revenue, Year One	'	'	'	'	22,063
Proposed Rate Increase, Percent of Authorized Revenue, Year One	'	'	'	'	9.79%
Proposed Rate Increase, Authorized Revenue, Year Two	'	'	'	'	11,579
Proposed Rate Increase, Percent of Authorized Revenue, Year Two	'	'	'	'	4.72%
Proposed Rate Increase, Authorized Revenue, Year Three	'	'	'	'	15,356
Proposed Rate Increase, Percent of Authorized Revenue, Year Three	'	'	'	'	6.02%
Water Reduction Target Goal, Percentage	20.00%	'	'	'	'
Increase requested percent of authorized revenue	'	3.60%	23.10%	'	'
Requested rate increase, authorized revenue	'	$9,400	$2,400	'	'

Sale_of_California_Water_Servi1

Sale of California Water Service (Details) (USD $)	0 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'
Available for Sale Marketable Security, Shares Sold	125,969	'	'	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Realized Gains (Losses), Sale Proceeds	$3,056	'	'	'	'
Fees Incurred on Sale of Available for Sale Securities	10	'	'	'	'
Gain on sale of California Water Service Group stock	2,017	2,017	0	2,017	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Income Tax Expense on Realized Gain (Loss)	822	'	'	'	'
Gain (Loss) on Sale of Securities, Net	1,195	'	'	'	'
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Reclassification Adjustment from AOCI for Sale of Securities, Net of Tax	$1,171	$1,171	$0	$1,171	$0
Available For Sale Securities, Number of Securities Held	'	259,151	'	259,151	'