LEASES - RIGHT-OF-USE ASSETS AND LEASE LIABILITIES (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2023	Sep. 30, 2022
Noncurrent
Operating lease assets	$ 165,783	$ 168,520
Finance Lease, Right-of-Use Asset, Statement of Financial Position [Extensible Enumeration]	Utility plant, at cost	Utility plant, at cost
Finance lease assets	$ 29,328	$ 21,913
Total lease assets	195,111	190,433
Current
Operating lease liabilities	$ 5,308	$ 4,562
Finance Lease, Liability, Current, Statement of Financial Position [Extensible Enumeration]	Current maturities of long-term debt	Current maturities of long-term debt
Finance lease liabilities	$ 8,773	$ 6,538
Noncurrent
Operating lease liabilities	$ 136,789	$ 138,382
Finance Lease, Liability, Noncurrent, Statement of Financial Position [Extensible Enumeration]	Long-term debt	Long-term debt
Finance lease liabilities	$ 26,380	$ 23,752
Total lease liabilities	$ 177,250	$ 173,234