1.0.0.3 false Debt false 1 $ false false Shares Standard http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instance shares xbrli 0 USD Standard http://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217 USD iso4217 0 USDEPS Divide http://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217 USD iso4217 http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instance shares xbrli 0 2 Debt [Abstract] 0 wat_DebtAbstract wat false na duration string Debt false false false false false true false false false 1 false false 0 0 false false Debt false 3 Debt 1 us-gaap_DebtDisclosureTextBlock us-gaap true na duration string No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false false 0 0 <div><div><a name="_AUC85a454e5d46740c1b18b9965e16f74ee">6  Debt</a>   In January 2007, the Company entered into a credit agreement (the “2007 Credit Agreement”) that provides for a $500 million term loan facility and $600 million in revolving facilities, which include both a letter of credit and a swingline subfacility. The 2007 Credit Agreement matures on January 11, 2012 and requires no scheduled prepayments before that date. The outstanding portions of the revolving facilities have been classified as short-term liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets due to the fact that the Company utilizes the revolving line of credit to fund its working capital needs. It is the Company’s intention to pay the outstanding revolving line of credit balance during the subsequent twelve months following the respective period end date.   The interest rates applicable to the 2007 Credit Agreement are, at the Company’s option, equal to either the base rate (which is the higher of the prime rate or the federal funds rate plus 1/2%) or the applicable 1, 2, 3, 6, 9 or 12 month LIBOR rate, in each case plus a credit margin based upon the Company’s leverage ratio, which can range between 33 basis points and 72.5 basis points for LIBOR rate loans and range between zero basis points and 37.5 basis points for base rate loans. The 2007 Credit Agreement requires that the Company comply with an interest coverage ratio test of not less than 3.50:1 and a leverage ratio test of not more than 3.25:1 for any period of four consecutive fiscal quarters, respectively. In addition, the 2007 Credit Agreement includes negative covenants that are customary for investment grade credit facilities. The 2007 Credit Agreement also contains certain customary representations and warranties, affirmative covenants and events of default. As of October 3, 2009, the Company was in compliance with all such covenants.   At October 3, 2009 and December 31, 2008, the Company had a total of $610 million and $500 million, respectively, borrowed under the 2007 Credit Agreement, of which $500 million was classified as long-term debt in the consolidated balance sheets at both dates. As of October 3, 2009 and December 31, 2008, the Company had a total amount available to borrow of $490 million and $599 million, respectively, after outstanding letters of credit. The weighted-average interest rates applicable to these borrowings were 0.81% and 2.43% at October 3, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively.   The Company and its foreign subsidiaries also had available short-term lines of credit totaling $89 million and $88 million at October 3, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively. At October 3, 2009 and December 31, 2008, the related short-term borrowings were $35 million at a weighted-average interest rate of 1.89% and $36 million at a weighted-average interest rate of 2.18%, respectively.   </div></div> 6  Debt   In January 2007, the Company entered into a credit agreement (the “2007 Credit Agreement”) that provides for a $500 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false false 1 2 false UnKnown UnKnown UnKnown false true