Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2023

Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Utility Plant

The following remaining lives are used for financial reporting purposes:

	December 31				Approximate range
Utility Plant Asset Category	2023		2022		of remaining lives
Mains and accessories	$	286,993	$	265,033	13 – 86 years
Services, meters, and hydrants		98,387		92,818	14 – 47 years
Operations structures, reservoirs, and water tanks		89,207		87,218	10 – 55 years
Pumping and treatment equipment		44,719		40,038	6 – 35 years
Office, transportation, and operating equipment		19,292		18,128	3 – 20 years
Land and other non-depreciable assets		5,685		3,938		–
Utility plant in service		544,283		507,173
Construction work in progress		75,918		41,968		–
Total Utility Plant	$	620,201	$	549,141

Regulatory Assets and Liabilities

Regulatory assets and liabilities are comprised of the following:

	December 31				Remaining Recovery
	2023		2022		Periods
Assets
Income taxes	$	35,885	$	29,779	Various
Unrealized swap losses		632		674	1 – 6 years
Utility plant retirement costs		9,592		9,060	5 years
Customer-owned lead service line replacements		1,257		1,260	Various
Income taxes on customers’ advances for construction and contributions in aid of construction		1,250		1,353	Various
Service life study expenses		19		24	4 years
Rate case filing expenses		314		395	3 years
	$	48,949	$	42,545
Liabilities
Excess accumulated deferred income taxes on accelerated depreciation	$	13,286	$	13,483	Various
Postretirement benefits		21,196		14,906	Not yet known
Income taxes		6,516		6,758	Various
IRS TPR catch-up deduction		2,635		2,894	10 years
	$	43,633	$	38,041