Restructuring and Asset Impairment Charges (Details 1) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Restructuring accruals	$ 13		$ 9
Severance and other	26		40		17
Cash payments	(26)		(35)		(9)
Other	(1)		(1)
Restructuring accruals	12		13		9
Water Infrastructure
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Restructuring accruals	5		6
Applied Water
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Restructuring accruals	3		3
Regional Selling Locations
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Restructuring accruals	3	[1]	4	[1]
Corporate and other
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Restructuring accruals	$ 1		$ 0

[1] Regional selling locations consist primarily of selling and marketing organizations that incurred restructuring expense which was allocated to the segments. The liabilities associated with restructuring expense were not allocated to the segments.