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 [Abstract] false false false false false true false false false 1 false false 0 0 false false Debt [Abstract] 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="_AUC72ab70afd50d4018baa05aa04f760462">8  Debt</a>   In February 2010, the Company issued and sold five-year senior unsecured notes at an interest rate of 3.75% with a face value of $100 million. This debt matures in February 2015. The Company plans to use the proceeds from the issuance of these senior unsecured notes to repay other outstanding debt amounts and for general corporate purposes. Interest on both issuances of the senior unsecured notes are payable semi-annually in February and August of each year. The Company may redeem some or all of the notes at any time in an amount not less than 10% of the aggregate principal amount outstanding, plus accrued and unpaid interest, plus the applicable make-whole amount. These notes require 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 3.50:1 for any period of four consecutive fiscal quarters, respectively. In addition, these notes include negative covenants that are similar to the existing credit agreement. These notes also contain certain customary representations and warranties, affirmative covenants and events of default.   In March 2008, the Company entered into a new credit agreement (the “2008 Credit Agreement”) that provided for a $150 million term loan facility. 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. Both credit agreements were to mature on January 11, 2012 and required or require 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.   In October 2008, the Company utilized cash balances associated with the effective liquidation of certain foreign legal entities into the U.S. to voluntarily prepay the $150 million term loan under the 2008 Credit Agreement. The Company prepaid the term loan in order to reduce interest expense and there was no penalty for prepaying the term loan. The repayment of the term loan effectively terminated all lending arrangements under the 2008 Credit Agreement.   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 an interest rate 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 December 31, 2009, the Company was in compliance with all such covenants.   As of December 31, 2009, the Company had a total of $620 million borrowed under the 2007 Credit Agreement and an amount available to borrow of $479 million after outstanding letters of credit. At December 31, 2009, $500 million of the total debt was classified as long-term debt and $120 million classified as short-term debt in the consolidated balance sheet. As of December 31, 2008, the Company had $500 million borrowed under the 2007 Credit Agreement and an amount available to borrow of $599 million after outstanding letters of credit. At December 31, 2008, $500 million of the total debt was classified as long-term debt in the consolidated balance sheet. The weighted-average interest rates applicable to these borrowings were 0.78% and 2.43% at December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively.   The Company and its foreign subsidiaries also had available short-term lines of credit totaling $88 million at both December 31, 2009 and 2008. At December 31, 2009 and 2008, related short-term borrowings were $12 million at a weighted-average interest rate of 1.97% and $36 million at a weighted-average interest rate of 2.18%, respectively. </div></div> 8  Debt   In February 2010, the Company issued and sold five-year senior unsecured notes at an interest rate of 3.75% with a face value of $100 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false false 1 2 false UnKnown UnKnown UnKnown false true