Restructuring Charges (Textuals) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges	$ 6	$ 1	$ 18	$ 5
Water Infrastructure
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges	5	1	12	5
Applied Water
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges	1	0	4	0
Corporate
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges	0	$ 0	2	$ 0
2016 Plan | Water Infrastructure
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost	20		20
Restructuring and related cost, incurred cost			11
2016 Plan | Applied Water
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost	6		6
Restructuring and related cost, incurred cost			4
2016 Plan | Corporate
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost	$ 2		2
2015 Plan | Water Infrastructure
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost					$ 5
Restructuring and related cost, incurred cost			$ 1		4
2015 Plan | Applied Water
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost					$ 1