v2.4.0.8

Separation Costs (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified | 3 Months Ended | 6 Months Ended
--- | --- | ---
Jun. 30, 2013 | Jun. 30, 2012 | Jun. 30, 2013 | Jun. 30, 2012
Separation Costs [Abstract] |  |  |  |
Advisory fees and other | $ 0 | $ 2 | $ 0 | $ 5
Rebranding and marketing costs | 0 | 2 | 0 | 4
Information and technology costs | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1
Employee Retention And Hiring Costs | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1
Lease Termination And Other Real Estate Costs | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0
Total separation costs in operating income | 1 | 6 | 2 | 11
Income tax (benefit) expense | 0 | (2) | 0 | (3)
Total separation costs, net of tax | $ 1 | $ 4 | $ 2 | $ 8

X
- Definition Advisory fees and other. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | xyl_AdvisoryFeesAndOther
Namespace Prefix: | xyl_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Employee retention and hiring costs. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | xyl_EmployeeRetentionAndHiringCosts
Namespace Prefix: | xyl_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Income tax expense benefit on separation cost. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | xyl_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefitOnSeparationCost
Namespace Prefix: | xyl_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Information and technology costs. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | xyl_InformationAndTechnologyCosts
Namespace Prefix: | xyl_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Lease Termination And Other Real Estate Costs + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | xyl_LeaseTerminationAndOtherRealEstateCosts
Namespace Prefix: | xyl_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Rebranding and marketing costs. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | xyl_RebrandingAndMarketingCosts
Namespace Prefix: | xyl_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Amount charged against earnings in the period for incurred costs associated with separation activity. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | xyl_SeparationCosts
Namespace Prefix: | xyl_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Details
Name: | xyl_SeparationCostsAbstract
Namespace Prefix: | xyl_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Total separation costs net of taxes. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | xyl_SeparationCostsNetOfTax
Namespace Prefix: | xyl_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration