Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Assets
Property, plant and equipment, at cost	$ 5,594,967	$ 5,350,868
Less: accumulated depreciation	1,281,152	1,212,300
Net property, plant and equipment	4,313,815	4,138,568
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	4,843	5,058
Accounts receivable and unbilled revenues, net	105,744	94,704
Deferred income taxes	42,606	40,038
Inventory, materials and supplies	12,583	11,353
Prepayments and other current assets	11,317	18,954
Assets of discontinued operations held for sale	30,428	30,747
Total current assets	207,521	200,854
Regulatory assets	658,619	585,140
Deferred charges and other assets, net	52,231	50,290
Investment in joint venture	44,650	48,695
Funds restricted for construction activity	47	47
Goodwill	30,298	28,223
Total assets	5,307,181	5,051,817
Aqua America stockholders' equity:
Common stock at $.50 par value, authorized 300,000,000 shares, issued 178,462,611 and 177,928,922 as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013	89,231	88,964
Capital in excess of par value	753,814	743,335
Retained earnings	812,412	729,272
Treasury stock, at cost, 1,763,171 and 1,178,323 shares as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013	(41,055)	(27,082)
Accumulated other comprehensive income	731	346
Total Aqua America stockholders' equity	1,615,133	1,534,835
Noncontrolling interest	227	208
Total equity	1,615,360	1,535,043
Long-term debt, excluding current portion	1,560,426	1,468,583
Commitments and contingencies (See Note 13)
Current liabilities:
Current portion of long-term debt	86,580	86,288
Loans payable	6,997	36,740
Accounts payable	48,864	65,815
Accrued interest	20,911	13,615
Accrued taxes	11,147	14,176
Other accrued liabilities	32,224	33,596
Liabilities of discontinued operations held for sale	28,669	29,649
Total current liabilities	235,392	279,879
Deferred credits and other liabilities:
Deferred income taxes and investment tax credits	972,082	866,211
Customers' advances for construction	77,215	73,892
Regulatory liabilities	279,666	281,014
Other	71,116	81,552
Total deferred credits and other liabilities	1,400,079	1,302,669
Contributions in aid of construction	495,924	465,643
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$ 5,307,181	$ 5,051,817