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<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0303</schemaVersion>

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    <periodOfReport>2010-02-09</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001298341</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>Nalco Holding CO</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>NLC</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001367688</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Flitman David E</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O ALLEGHENY ENERGY, INC.</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>800 CABIN HILL DRIVE</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>GREENSBURG</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>PA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>15601</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Sr. Exec V.P. &amp; President WPS</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

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                </transactionShares>
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            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
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                    <value>3594</value>
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            <expirationDate>
                <value>2020-02-09</value>
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                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
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                    <value>53787</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
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                    <value>D</value>
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        <derivativeTransaction>
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            <transactionDate>
                <value>2010-02-09</value>
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            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
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            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>3595</value>
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                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
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                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
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            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2013-12-31</value>
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            <expirationDate>
                <value>2020-02-09</value>
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                    <value>Common Stock</value>
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                    <value>57382</value>
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    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Shares earned upon partial satisfaction of the performance criteria for the Performance Share Program 2008-2010 cycle of the Nalco Holding Company 2004 Stock Incentive Plan which will vest on 12/31/2010, subject to continued employment at vest date.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Granted pursuant to the Amended and Restated Nalco Holding Company 2004 Stock Incentive Plan.  The shares will vest on 2/28/2013, subject to continued employment at vesting date.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">Granted pursuant to the Amended and Restated Nalco Holding Company 2004 Stock Incentive Plan, 2010 Stock Option Award.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/Anne Marie Morris, as Attorney in Fact</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2010-02-11</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
