| **Income Taxes**            | 3 Months Ended                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                |
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| **Income Taxes [Abstract]** |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          |
| Income Taxes                | Note 14           Income Taxes 

 

During the three months ended March 31, 2014, the Company utilized $15,422 of its Federal net operating loss carryforward (“NOL”).  In addition, during the three months ended March 31, 2014, the Company’s state NOL carryforward increased by $2,789.  As of March 31, 2014, the balance of the Company’s Federal NOL was $242,671.  The Company believes its Federal NOL carryforward is more likely than not to be recovered and requires no valuation allowance.  As of March 31, 2014, the balance of the Company’s state NOL was $533,949, a portion of which was offset by a valuation allowance of $5,229 because the Company does not believe the NOLs are more likely than not to be realized.  The Company’s Federal and state NOL carryforwards begin to expire 2031 and 2023, respectively.   The Company has unrecognized tax positions that result in the associated tax benefit being unrecognized.  The Company’s Federal and state NOL carryforwards are reduced by an unrecognized tax position, on a gross basis, of $62,865 and $86,016, respectively, which results from the Company’s adoption in the third quarter of 2013 of the FASB’s accounting guidance on the presentation of an unrecognized tax benefit when a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward exists.  The amounts of the Company’s Federal and state NOL carryforwards prior to being reduced by the unrecognized tax positions were $305,536 and $619,965, respectively.  The Company records its unrecognized tax benefit as a reduction to its deferred income tax liability.  

 

In December 2012, the Company changed its tax method of accounting for qualifying utility system repairs in Aqua Pennsylvania, Inc. (“Aqua Pennsylvania”) effective with the tax year ended December 31, 2012 and for prior tax years.  The tax accounting method was changed to permit the expensing of qualifying utility asset improvement costs that were previously being capitalized and depreciated for book and tax purposes (the “Repair Change”).  As a result of the adoption of the Repair Change prior to the receipt of Aqua Pennsylvania’s next rate order, the Repair Change results in a substantial reduction in income tax expense and greater net income and cash flows.  The Company’s effective income tax rate for the first quarter of 2014 and 2013, for its continuing operations, was 10.9% and 14.2%, respectively.  

 

In September 2013, the Department of Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service issued “Guidance Regarding and Capitalization of Expenditures Related to Tangible Property” which contains standards for determining whether and when a taxpayer must capitalize costs incurred in acquiring, maintaining or improving tangible property.  These regulations are effective for the Company’s 2014 fiscal year.  The Company has reviewed the regulations and concluded that the regulations will not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated results of operations or consolidated financial position.

 

As of March 31, 2014, the total gross unrecognized tax benefit was $28,850, of which $10,534, if recognized, would affect the Company’s effective tax rate as a result of the regulatory treatment afforded the Repair Change in Pennsylvania.  At December 31, 2013, the Company had unrecognized tax benefits of $28,690.  There was no unrecognized tax benefit at March 31, 2013 or December 31, 2012.

 

Accounting rules for uncertain tax positions specify that tax positions for which the timing of resolution is uncertain should be classified as long-term liabilities.  Judgment is required in evaluating the Company’s uncertain tax positions and determining the provision for income taxes.  Management believes that an adequate provision has been made for any adjustments that may result from tax examinations.  Although the timing of income tax audit resolutions and negotiations with taxing authorities is highly uncertain, the Company does not anticipate a significant change to the total amount of unrecognized income tax benefits within the next 12 months. |

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| - Definition
The entire disclosure for income taxes. Disclosures may include net deferred tax liability or asset recognized in an enterprise's statement of financial position, net change during the year in the total valuation allowance, approximate tax effect of each type of temporary difference and carryforward that gives rise to a significant portion of deferred tax liabilities and deferred tax assets, utilization of a tax carryback, and tax uncertainties information.
+ References
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