Segment and Geographic Data (Assets by Segment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Total assets for each reportable segment
Total assets	$ 6,474	$ 4,657	$ 4,833
Water Infrastructure
Total assets for each reportable segment
Total assets	1,997	2,024	2,128
Applied Water
Total assets for each reportable segment
Total assets	990	1,054	1,114
Sensus
Total assets for each reportable segment
Total assets	2,284	0	0
Regional Selling Locations
Total assets for each reportable segment
Total assets	965	905	961
Corporate and other
Total assets for each reportable segment
Total assets	$ 238	$ 674	$ 630