Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flow (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$ 166,424	$ 163,768
Income from discontinued operations	1,494	7,151
Income from continuing operations	164,930	156,617
Adjustments to reconcile income from continuing operations to net cash flows from operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	94,374	92,266
Deferred income taxes	15,055	19,852
Provision for doubtful accounts	4,648	3,337
Stock-based compensation	5,145	4,043
Gain on sale of utility system		(1,025)
Loss (gain) on sale of other assets	133	(121)
Net increase in receivables, inventory and prepayments	(13,928)	(1,322)
Net increase in payables, accrued interest, accrued taxes and other accrued liabilities	16,241	1,771
Other	(11,023)	2,287
Operating cash flows from continuing operations	275,575	277,705
Operating cash flows (used in) from discontinued operations, net	(1,142)	1,893
Net cash flows from operating activities	274,433	279,598
Cash flows from investing activities:
Property, plant and equipment additions, including the debt component of allowance for funds used during construction of $1,033 and $1,352	(220,739)	(215,407)
Acquisitions of utility systems and other, net	(11,677)	(14,404)
Additions to funds restricted for construction activity		(6)
Release of funds previously restricted for construction activity		11,952
Net proceeds from the sale of utility system and other assets	386	3,187
Investment in joint venture		(9,800)
Other	513	(439)
Investing cash flows used in continuing operations	(231,517)	(224,917)
Investing cash flows (used in) from discontinued operations, net	(77)	50,421
Net cash flows used in investing activities	(231,594)	(174,496)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Customers' advances and contributions in aid of construction	4,510	3,523
Repayments of customers' advances	(2,107)	(1,938)
Net (repayments) proceeds of short-term debt	(29,743)	29,403
Proceeds from long-term debt	221,058	188,321
Repayments of long-term debt	(128,395)	(258,295)
Change in cash overdraft position	(16,883)	(11,881)
Proceeds from issuing common stock		10,478
Proceeds from exercised stock options	4,870	24,941
Stock-based compensation windfall tax benefits	1,235
Repurchase of common stock	(13,973)	(12,815)
Dividends paid on common stock	(82,953)	(76,028)
Other	(580)
Financing cash flows used in continuing operations	(42,961)	(104,291)
Financing cash flows (used in) from discontinued operations, net	(93)	61
Net cash flows used in financing activities	(43,054)	(104,230)
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	(215)	872
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	5,058	5,521
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$ 4,843	$ 6,393