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Stock-Based Compensation (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2012
Stock-based compensation      
Total unrecognized compensation cost related to the unvested awards $ 20.2us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognized    
Total weighted average remaining term of unrecognized compensation costs 1 year 10 months 24 days    
Compensation cost recognized 8.6us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense 9.6us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense 6.6us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense
Selling, general and administrative expenses      
Stock-based compensation      
Compensation cost recognized 8.0us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis
= us-gaap_SellingGeneralAndAdministrativeExpensesMember
   
Performance Shares      
Stock-based compensation      
Vesting period 3 years    
Total unrecognized compensation cost related to the unvested awards 5.0us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognized
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember
   
Total weighted average remaining term of unrecognized compensation costs 2 years    
Compensation cost recognized 0.7us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember
   
Fair value assumptions      
Weighted average grant-date fair value (in dollars per share) $ 57.02us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember
   
Performance Shares | Class A      
Weighted Average Intrinsic Value      
Company's closing Common Stock price (in dollars per share) $ 63.44us-gaap_SharePrice
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= us-gaap_CommonClassAMember
   
Performance Shares | Class A | Minimum      
Stock-based compensation      
Percentage of stock options becoming exercisable 0.00%us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingRightsPercentage
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= us-gaap_CommonClassAMember
   
Performance Shares | Class A | Maximum      
Stock-based compensation      
Percentage of stock options becoming exercisable 200.00%us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingRightsPercentage
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= us-gaap_CommonClassAMember
   
Second Amended and Restated 2004 Stock Incentive Plan      
Stock-based compensation      
Number of stock incentive plans 1wts_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardPlanNumber
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= wts_StockIncentivePlan2004Member
   
Second Amended and Restated 2004 Stock Incentive Plan | Class A      
Stock-based compensation      
Shares authorized 1,706,591us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAuthorized
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= wts_StockIncentivePlan2004Member
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= us-gaap_CommonClassAMember
   
Second Amended and Restated 2004 Stock Incentive Plan | Stock options      
Stock-based compensation      
Vesting period 4 years    
Percentage of stock options becoming exercisable 25.00%us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingRightsPercentage
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= wts_StockIncentivePlan2004Member
   
Expiration period 10 years    
Total unrecognized compensation cost related to the unvested awards 5.6us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognized
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= wts_StockIncentivePlan2004Member
   
Total weighted average remaining term of unrecognized compensation costs 2 years 2 months 12 days    
Compensation cost recognized 2.6us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= wts_StockIncentivePlan2004Member
3.8us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= wts_StockIncentivePlan2004Member
2.7us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= wts_StockIncentivePlan2004Member
Summary of stock option activity and related information      
Outstanding at beginning of year (in shares) 1,029,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= wts_StockIncentivePlan2004Member
1,064,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= wts_StockIncentivePlan2004Member
1,272,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= wts_StockIncentivePlan2004Member
Granted (in shares) 114,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriod
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= wts_StockIncentivePlan2004Member
379,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriod
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= wts_StockIncentivePlan2004Member
415,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriod
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= wts_StockIncentivePlan2004Member
Cancelled/Forfeitures (in shares) (306,000)us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsForfeituresAndExpirationsInPeriod
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= wts_StockIncentivePlan2004Member
(53,000)us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsForfeituresAndExpirationsInPeriod
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= wts_StockIncentivePlan2004Member
(33,000)us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsForfeituresAndExpirationsInPeriod
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= wts_StockIncentivePlan2004Member
Exercised (in shares) (342,000)us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesStockOptionsExercised
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= wts_StockIncentivePlan2004Member
(361,000)us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesStockOptionsExercised
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= wts_StockIncentivePlan2004Member
(590,000)us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesStockOptionsExercised
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= wts_StockIncentivePlan2004Member
Outstanding at end of year (in shares) 495,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= wts_StockIncentivePlan2004Member
1,029,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= wts_StockIncentivePlan2004Member
1,064,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= wts_StockIncentivePlan2004Member
Exercisable at end of year (in shares) 128,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= wts_StockIncentivePlan2004Member
249,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= wts_StockIncentivePlan2004Member
360,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= wts_StockIncentivePlan2004Member
Weighted Average Exercise Price      
Outstanding at beginning of year (in dollars per share) $ 41.66us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= wts_StockIncentivePlan2004Member
$ 33.37us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= wts_StockIncentivePlan2004Member
$ 30.43us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= wts_StockIncentivePlan2004Member
Granted (in dollars per share) $ 57.58us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= wts_StockIncentivePlan2004Member
$ 54.78us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= wts_StockIncentivePlan2004Member
$ 37.67us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= wts_StockIncentivePlan2004Member
Cancelled/Forfeitures (in dollars per share) $ 44.19us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsForfeituresAndExpirationsInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= wts_StockIncentivePlan2004Member
$ 36.97us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsForfeituresAndExpirationsInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= wts_StockIncentivePlan2004Member
$ 31.18us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsForfeituresAndExpirationsInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= wts_StockIncentivePlan2004Member
Exercised (in dollars per share) $ 36.48us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisesInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= wts_StockIncentivePlan2004Member
$ 31.73us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisesInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= wts_StockIncentivePlan2004Member
$ 30.19us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisesInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= wts_StockIncentivePlan2004Member
Outstanding at end of year (in dollars per share) $ 47.34us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= wts_StockIncentivePlan2004Member
$ 41.66us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= wts_StockIncentivePlan2004Member
$ 33.37us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= wts_StockIncentivePlan2004Member
Exercisable at end of year (in dollars per share) $ 40.04us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= wts_StockIncentivePlan2004Member
$ 32.35us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= wts_StockIncentivePlan2004Member
$ 30.91us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= wts_StockIncentivePlan2004Member
Weighted Average Intrinsic Value      
Outstanding at end of year (in dollars per share) $ 16.10wts_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingIntrinsicValuePerShare
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= wts_StockIncentivePlan2004Member
   
Exercisable at end of year (in dollars per share) $ 23.40wts_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableIntrinsicValuePerShare
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= wts_StockIncentivePlan2004Member
   
Aggregate intrinsic values of exercisable options (in dollars) 3.0us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableIntrinsicValue1
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= wts_StockIncentivePlan2004Member
   
Total intrinsic value of options exercised 8.2us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisesInPeriodTotalIntrinsicValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= wts_StockIncentivePlan2004Member
7.4us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisesInPeriodTotalIntrinsicValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= wts_StockIncentivePlan2004Member
5.7us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisesInPeriodTotalIntrinsicValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= wts_StockIncentivePlan2004Member
Fair value assumptions      
Expected life 6 years 6 years 6 years
Expected stock price volatility (as a percent) 37.50%us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedVolatilityRate
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= wts_StockIncentivePlan2004Member
40.30%us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedVolatilityRate
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= wts_StockIncentivePlan2004Member
41.20%us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedVolatilityRate
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= wts_StockIncentivePlan2004Member
Expected dividend yield (as a percent) 1.00%us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedDividendRate
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= wts_StockIncentivePlan2004Member
1.00%us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedDividendRate
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= wts_StockIncentivePlan2004Member
1.20%us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedDividendRate
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= wts_StockIncentivePlan2004Member
Risk-free interest rate (as a percent) 1.90%us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsRiskFreeInterestRate
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= wts_StockIncentivePlan2004Member
1.70%us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsRiskFreeInterestRate
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= wts_StockIncentivePlan2004Member
0.90%us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsRiskFreeInterestRate
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= wts_StockIncentivePlan2004Member
Weighted average grant-date fair value of stock options (in dollars per share) $ 20.04us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= wts_StockIncentivePlan2004Member
$ 20.30us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= wts_StockIncentivePlan2004Member
$ 13.49us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= wts_StockIncentivePlan2004Member
Second Amended and Restated 2004 Stock Incentive Plan | Stock options | Class A      
Stock-based compensation      
Minimum exercise price as percentage of fair market value of common stock on grant date 100.00%wts_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardPurchasePriceOfCommonStockPercentMinimum
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= wts_StockIncentivePlan2004Member
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= us-gaap_CommonClassAMember
   
Weighted Average Intrinsic Value      
Company's closing Common Stock price (in dollars per share) $ 63.44us-gaap_SharePrice
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= wts_StockIncentivePlan2004Member
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= us-gaap_CommonClassAMember
   
Second Amended and Restated 2004 Stock Incentive Plan | Stock options | Grants in 2014      
Stock-based compensation      
Expiration period 3 years    
Vesting rate per year for maximum vesting period 0.33wts_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingRightsForMaximumVestingPeriod
/ us-gaap_AwardDateAxis
= wts_GrantsIn2014Member
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= wts_StockIncentivePlan2004Member
   
Second Amended and Restated 2004 Stock Incentive Plan | Restricted stock | Maximum      
Stock-based compensation      
Vesting period 3 years    
Vesting rate per year for maximum vesting period 0.33wts_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingRightsForMaximumVestingPeriod
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= wts_RestrictedStockAwardMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= wts_StockIncentivePlan2004Member
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember
   
Second Amended and Restated 2004 Stock Incentive Plan | Restricted stock | Grants in 2014 | Maximum      
Stock-based compensation      
Vesting period 2 years    
Percentage of stock options becoming exercisable 50.00%us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingRightsPercentage
/ us-gaap_AwardDateAxis
= wts_GrantsIn2014Member
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= wts_RestrictedStockAwardMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= wts_StockIncentivePlan2004Member
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember
   
Second Amended and Restated 2004 Stock Incentive Plan | Deferred shares      
Stock-based compensation      
Vesting period 3 years    
Vesting rate per year for maximum vesting period 0.33wts_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingRightsForMaximumVestingPeriod
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DeferredCompensationShareBasedPaymentsMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= wts_StockIncentivePlan2004Member
   
Second Amended and Restated 2004 Stock Incentive Plan | Deferred shares | Grants in 2014      
Stock-based compensation      
Vesting period 2 years    
Percentage of stock options becoming exercisable 50.00%us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingRightsPercentage
/ us-gaap_AwardDateAxis
= wts_GrantsIn2014Member
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DeferredCompensationShareBasedPaymentsMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= wts_StockIncentivePlan2004Member
   
Management Stock Purchase Plan | Class A      
Stock-based compensation      
Shares available for future grants of new equity awards 913,526us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAvailableForGrant
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= wts_ManagementStockPurchasePlanMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= us-gaap_CommonClassAMember
   
Shares authorized 2,000,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAuthorized
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= wts_ManagementStockPurchasePlanMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= us-gaap_CommonClassAMember
   
Exercise price as percentage of fair market value of common stock on grant date 67.00%us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardPurchasePriceOfCommonStockPercent
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= wts_ManagementStockPurchasePlanMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= us-gaap_CommonClassAMember
   
Management Stock Purchase Plan | Restricted stock | Class A      
Weighted Average Intrinsic Value      
Company's closing Common Stock price (in dollars per share) $ 63.44us-gaap_SharePrice
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= wts_RestrictedStockAwardMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= wts_ManagementStockPurchasePlanMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= us-gaap_CommonClassAMember
   
Management Stock Purchase Plan | Restricted stock units (RSUs)      
Stock-based compensation      
Total unrecognized compensation cost related to the unvested awards 0.6us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognized
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= wts_ManagementStockPurchasePlanMember
   
Total weighted average remaining term of unrecognized compensation costs 1 year 4 months 24 days    
Compensation cost recognized $ 0.5us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= wts_ManagementStockPurchasePlanMember
$ 0.7us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= wts_ManagementStockPurchasePlanMember
$ 0.8us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= wts_ManagementStockPurchasePlanMember
Fair value assumptions      
Expected life 3 years 3 years 3 years
Expected stock price volatility (as a percent) 31.20%us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedVolatilityRate
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= wts_ManagementStockPurchasePlanMember
34.10%us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedVolatilityRate
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= wts_ManagementStockPurchasePlanMember
38.30%us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedVolatilityRate
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= wts_ManagementStockPurchasePlanMember
Expected dividend yield (as a percent) 0.90%us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedDividendRate
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= wts_ManagementStockPurchasePlanMember
0.90%us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedDividendRate
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= wts_ManagementStockPurchasePlanMember
1.10%us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedDividendRate
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= wts_ManagementStockPurchasePlanMember
Risk-free interest rate (as a percent) 0.70%us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsRiskFreeInterestRate
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= wts_ManagementStockPurchasePlanMember
0.40%us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsRiskFreeInterestRate
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= wts_ManagementStockPurchasePlanMember
0.40%us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsRiskFreeInterestRate
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= wts_ManagementStockPurchasePlanMember
Weighted average grant-date fair value (in dollars per share) $ 22.57us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= wts_ManagementStockPurchasePlanMember
$ 18.05us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= wts_ManagementStockPurchasePlanMember
$ 15.68us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= wts_ManagementStockPurchasePlanMember
Management Stock Purchase Plan | Restricted stock units (RSUs) | Minimum      
Stock-based compensation      
Vesting period 3 years