Capitalization (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Jul. 01, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2014
Schedule of Capitalization [Line Items]
Issuance of shares under the DRP,shares			48,414,000	54,627,000
Issuance of shares under the DRP			$ 1,100	$ 1,100
Additional shares authorized for potential issuance						700,000
Deobligated Principal Payments		$ 500	466
Proceeds from long-term debt borrowing			5,000	$ 4,398
Other long term debt			53,600		$ 53,600		$ 50,800
Customer advances			20,921		20,921		21,978
New Jersey Environmental Infrastructure Trust [Member]
Schedule of Capitalization [Line Items]
Loan amount							$ 5,000
Tidewater [Member]
Schedule of Capitalization [Line Items]
Loan amount			2,000		2,000			$ 15,000
Loan amount at fixed interest rate								$ 11,000
Proceeds from long-term debt borrowing			$ 5,000		$ 13,000
Interest rate			4.46%		4.46%
Due date of debt			Apr. 01, 2040
Tidewater [Member] | Subsequent Event [Member]
Schedule of Capitalization [Line Items]
Proceeds from long-term debt borrowing	$ 2,000