Rate and Regulatory Matters (Details Narrative) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified			1 Months Ended										0 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Nov. 30, 2012 Middlesex	Sep. 30, 2012 Middlesex	Jul. 31, 2012 Middlesex	Mar. 31, 2010 Middlesex	Jun. 30, 2012 Tidewater	Nov. 30, 2012 TESI	Jun. 30, 2012 TESI	Aug. 31, 2012 Pinelands Water	Aug. 31, 2012 Pinelands Wastewater	Jun. 30, 2011 Southern Shores	Mar. 03, 2012 Twin Lakes
Regulatory Liabilities [Line Items]
Description of application request seeking increase in base rates			In November 2012, Middlesex filed a petition with the NJBPU seeking approval of foundational information (Foundational Filing) that would allow for the implementation of a Distribution System Improvement Charge (DSIC). A DSIC is a rate-mechanism that allows water utilities to recover investment in capital improvements to their water distribution system made between base rate proceedings. In February 2013, the Foundational Filing was approved by the NJBPU, which allows Middlesex to implement a DSIC rate in September 2013 to recover costs for qualifying projects that are placed in service in the six-month post-approval period. The DSIC rate is allowed to increase in three subsequent six month periods for any additional qualifying projects placed in service during those time periods. The maximum annual revenues allowed to be recovered under the approved Foundational Filing is $1.4 million.	Middlesex filed an application with the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU) seeking permission to establish a Purchased Water Adjustment Clause and implement a tariff rate sufficient to recover increased costs of $0.1 million to purchase untreated water from the New Jersey Water Supply Authority and treated water from a non-affiliated regulated water utility.	Middlesex filed an application with the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU) seeking permission to increase its base rates by approximately $11.3 million per year	In March 2010, the NJBPU granted an increase in Middlesex's annual operating revenues of 13.57%, or $7.8 million. The increase was necessitated by increased costs, as well as to provide a return on invested capital in rate base of $180.3 million based on a return on equity of 10.30%.	Tidewater filed an application with the Delaware Public Service Commission (DEPSC) seeking permission to increase its base rates by approximately $6.9 million per year		TESI filed an application with the DEPSC seeking permission to increase its base rates by approximately $0.8 million per year	Pinelands Water and Pinelands Wastewater filed applications with the NJBPU seeking permission to increase base rates by approximately $0.2 million and $0.1 million per year, respectively. These requests were made as a result of capital investments Pinelands Water and New Pinelands Wastewater have made, or have committed to make, as well as increased operations and maintenance costs for both companies.	Pinelands Water and Pinelands Wastewater filed applications with the NJBPU seeking permission to increase base rates by approximately $0.2 million and $0.1 million per year, respectively. These requests were made as a result of capital investments Pinelands Water and New Pinelands Wastewater have made, or have committed to make, as well as increased operations and maintenance costs for both companies.
Increase in base rates revenue per year					$ 8,100	$ 7,800	$ 3,900		$ 600
Increase in base rates revenue per year, percent						13.57%
Originally filed base water rate increase				100	11,300		6,900	100	800	200	100	100	100
Return on invested capital, rate base					202,400	180,300
Return on equity					10.15%	10.30%
Interim rates							2,500		100
DSIC rate increase								600
Final base rates							1,400
Maximum annual revenues allowed under Foundational Filing			1,400
Regulatory Liability - Cost of Utility Plant Removal	8,811	8,029
Acquisition premiums	$ 600