Goodwill Schedule of Goodwill Impairment (Details) (USD $) In Thousands | 3 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sep. 30, 2011 | Sep. 30, 2010 | Sep. 30, 2011 | Sep. 30, 2010 | Dec. 31, 2010 | Dec. 31, 2009 | |
| Goodwill [Line Items] | ||||||
| Goodwill Impairment | $ 540,400 | $ 0 | $ 540,400 | $ 0 | ||
| Goodwill, After Estimated Impairment | 714,606 | 1,236,583 | 714,606 | 1,236,583 | 1,209,376 | 1,305,599 |
Itron International Electricity [Member] | ||||||
| Goodwill [Line Items] | ||||||
| Goodwill, Before Estimated Impairment | 363,626 | 363,626 | ||||
| Goodwill Impairment | 216,085 | |||||
| Goodwill, After Estimated Impairment | 147,541 | 147,541 | ||||
Itron International Water [Member] | ||||||
| Goodwill [Line Items] | ||||||
| Goodwill, Before Estimated Impairment | 389,308 | 389,308 | ||||
| Goodwill Impairment | 324,315 | |||||
| Goodwill, After Estimated Impairment | $ 64,993 | $ 64,993 | ||||
| X | ||||||||||
- Definition Carrying amount as of the balance sheet date, which is the cumulative amount paid and (if applicable) the fair value of any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree, adjusted for any amortization recognized prior to the adoption of any changes in generally accepted accounting principles (as applicable) and for any impairment charges, in excess of the fair value of net assets acquired in one or more business combination transactions. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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- Definition Gross amount, as of the balance sheet date, of the cumulative amount paid and (if applicable) the fair value of any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree, adjusted for any amortization recognized prior to the adoption of any changes in generally accepted accounting principles (as applicable), in excess of the fair value of net assets acquired in one or more business combination transactions. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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- Definition Loss recognized during the period that results from the write-down of goodwill after comparing the implied fair value of reporting unit goodwill with the carrying amount of that goodwill. Goodwill is assessed at least annually for impairment. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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- Definition Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.
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