Shares Awarded (in shares) Granted (in shares) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period Summary of the changes in outstanding stock options Schedule of Stock Options Roll Forward [Table Text Block] Document Type Document Type Senior Notes Due Twenty Thirty One Senior Notes Due Twenty Thirty One [Member] Senior Notes Due Twenty Thirty One Aggregate intrinsic value, outstanding Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Intrinsic Value Other non-operating income (expense), net Other Nonoperating Income (Expense) Other Nonoperating Income (Expense) Changes in product warranty accrual Schedule of Product Warranty Liability [Table Text Block] Components of net periodic benefit cost and other amounts recognized in other comprehensive income : Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Benefit Obligation [Roll Forward] Commitments and Contingencies Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block] Shares Awarded (in shares) Granted (in shares) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Gross Treasury Stock Treasury Stock [Member] Payables and Accruals [Abstract] Payables and Accruals [Abstract] Senior Notes Due Twenty Twenty Eight Senior Notes Due Twenty Twenty Eight [Member] Senior Notes Due Twenty Twenty Eight Segments [Axis] Segments [Axis] Post-retirement Benefit Plans Retirement Benefits [Text Block] Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table Text Block] Vested (in usd per share) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Vested in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Schedule of Restructuring and Related Costs [Table] Schedule of Restructuring and Related Costs [Table] Beginning balance Ending balance Contract with Customer, Asset, before Allowance for Credit Loss Western Europe Western Europe [Member] Western Europe Statistical Measurement [Domain] Statistical Measurement [Domain] LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY Liabilities and Equity [Abstract] Line of Credit [Member] Line of Credit [Member] Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] Distribution to minority shareholders Noncontrolling Interest, Decrease from Distributions to Noncontrolling Interest Holders Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items] Restructuring Cost and Impairment Charge Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items] Deferred income tax liabilities Deferred Income Tax Liabilities, Net Derivative Financial Instruments Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Text Block] Accrued warranty costs Product Warranty Accrual, Current Sell USD Buy EUR Sell USD Buy EUR [Member] Sell USD Buy EUR [Member] Financial information for each reportable segment Reconciliation of Revenue from Segments to Consolidated [Table Text Block] Security Exchange Name Security Exchange Name Other intangible assets, net Intangible Assets, Net Intangibles Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill) Buy USD Sell CDN Buy USD Sell CDN [Member] Buy USD Sell CDN [Member] Long-term debt issued, net Proceeds from Issuance of Long-term Debt Operating income Operating income Operating Income (Loss) Total current liabilities Liabilities, Current Buy KR Sell EUR Buy KR Sell EUR [Member] Buy KR Sell EUR [Member] Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] Severance and other charges Severance Costs Contributions to meet shortfall Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Payment for Settlement Contract with Customer, Asset and Liability Contract with Customer, Contract Asset, Contract Liability, and Receivable [Table Text Block] Performance Based Shares Performance Shares [Member] Prepaid and other current assets Prepaid Expense and Other Assets, Current Outstanding, beginning of period (in usd per share) Outstanding, end of period (in usd per share) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Senior Notes Due 2021, 4.875% Senior Notes Due Two Thousand And Twenty One [Member] Senior notes due two thousand and twenty one. Commitments and contingencies (Note 16) Commitments and Contingencies Repurchase of common stock Payments for Repurchase of Common Stock ASSETS Assets [Abstract] Accounting Policies [Abstract] Accounting Policies [Abstract] Entity Address, State or Province Entity Address, State or Province Vested (in shares) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Vested in Period Accounts payable Accounts Payable, Current Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Tax Foreign currency and other Goodwill, Foreign Currency Translation Gain (Loss) Basic and diluted net earnings per share: Earnings Per Share Reconciliation [Abstract] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Comprehensive Income (Loss) Note [Text Block] Accrued and Other Current Liabilities Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities Disclosure [Text Block] Retained earnings Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit) Other non-operating income Other Expense [Member] 2015 Stock Repurchase Program Two Thousand fifteen Stock Repurchase Program [Member] Two Thousand fifteen Stock Repurchase Program [Member] Shares repurchased (in shares - less than 0.1 million) Treasury Stock, Shares, Acquired Other non-current accrued liabilities Other Accrued Liabilities, Noncurrent Outstanding, beginning of period (in shares) Outstanding, end of period (in shares) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Number Asset impairment Restructuring Reserve, Asset Impairment Costs Restructuring Reserve, Asset Impairment Costs Other Contract With Customer, Asset, Other Contract With Customer, Asset, Other Billings transferred to accounts receivable Contract with Customer, Asset, Reclassified to Receivable Hedging Designation [Domain] Hedging Designation [Domain] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward] Settlement of Employee Tax Withholding Obligations Settlement of Employee Tax Withholding Obligations [Member] Settlement of Employee Tax Withholding Obligations [Member] Options exercisable, ending of period (in shares) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercisable, Number Permitted increases in Credit Facility borrowing base Line of Credit Facility, Increases in Maximum Borrowing Capacity Line of Credit Facility, Increases in Maximum Borrowing Capacity Common Stock, par value Common Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share Net charges for product warranties in the period Standard Product Warranty Accrual, Increase (Decrease) for Preexisting Warranties Other, net Payments for (Proceeds from) Other Investing Activities Domestic defined benefit pension plans Domestic Plan [Member] Work in process Inventory, Work in Process, Net of Reserves Stock incentive plan activity APIC, Share-based Payment Arrangement, Increase for Cost Recognition Document Information [Table] Document Information [Table] Inventories Total inventories Inventory, Net Shares Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic [Abstract] Restructuring Accruals Schedule of Restructuring Accruals [Table Text Block] Schedule of Restructuring Accruals [Table Text Block] Geographical [Domain] Geographical [Domain] Additional contributions Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Employer Contributions, Remainder of Fiscal Year Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] Statement [Line Items] Statement [Line Items] Class of Stock [Domain] Class of Stock [Domain] Term of debt Debt Instrument, Term Transport Transport [Member] Transport [Member] Statement [Table] Statement [Table] Defined Benefit Plans And Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Disclosures [Table] Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Disclosures [Table] Statistical Measurement [Axis] Statistical Measurement [Axis] Interest cost Defined Benefit Plan, Interest Cost Credit Facility [Axis] Credit Facility [Axis] Senior Notes Due 2023, 2.250% Senior Notes Due Two Thousand And Twenty Three [Member] Senior Notes Due Two Thousand And Twenty Three [Member] Unrealized gain (loss) Amount of gain (loss) recognized in OCI Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Foreign Currency Derivatives, Net, before Tax Change in Contract with Customer, Asset [Abstract] Change in Contract with Customer, Asset [Abstract] Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract] Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract] Commercial Building Services Commercial Building Services [Member] Commercial Building Services [Member] Entity Small Business Entity Small Business Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward] Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward] Debt issuance costs and unamortized discount Unamortized Debt Issuance Expense Credit Facilities and Debt Debt Disclosure [Text Block] Options exercisable, end of period Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercisable, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term Cost of revenue Cost of Revenue Share Repurchase Program [Domain] Share Repurchase Program [Domain] Changes in the carrying value of goodwill by operating segment Goodwill [Roll Forward] Amendment Flag Amendment Flag Basic and diluted net earnings per share Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Table Text Block] Weighted average number of shares: Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted [Abstract] Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Major Class Name [Domain] Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Major Class Name [Domain] Restructuring costs incurred during period Restructuring and Related Cost, Incurred Cost Corporate Corporate, Non-Segment [Member] Other accrued liabilities Other Accrued Liabilities, Current Net Cash – Operating activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities Entity Central Index Key Entity Central Index Key Indefinite-lived intangibles Unclassified Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Member] Defined Benefit Plans And Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items] Derivative Instrument [Axis] Derivative Instrument [Axis] Finite-Lived Intangible Assets by Major Class [Axis] Finite-Lived Intangible Assets by Major Class [Axis] Expected return on plan assets Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Return (Loss) on Plan Assets Other non-current accrued liabilities Other Noncurrent Liabilities [Member] Short-term debt issued, net Proceeds from Short-term Debt Senior Notes Senior Notes [Member] Geographical [Axis] Geographical [Axis] Segments [Domain] Segments [Domain] Unamortized compensation expense Share-based Payment Arrangement, Nonvested Award, Option, Cost Not yet Recognized, Amount Statement of Cash Flows [Abstract] Statement of Cash Flows [Abstract] Effect of exchange rate changes on cash Effect of Exchange Rate on Cash and Cash Equivalents Income Statement Location [Axis] Income Statement Location [Axis] Allowances for discounts, returns and credit losses Accounts Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Current Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Income Statement Location [Domain] Income Statement Location [Domain] Financing Activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities [Abstract] Selling, general and administrative expenses Selling, General and Administrative Expense Notional amount Derivative, Notional Amount Amortization Amortization expense related to finite-lived intangible assets Amortization of Intangible Assets Foreign Exchange Contract Foreign Exchange Contract [Member] Amortization of prior service credit Other Comprehensive (Income) Loss, Defined Benefit Plan, Prior Service Cost (Credit), before Tax Amortization of net actuarial loss into net income Other Comprehensive (Income) Loss, Defined Benefit Plan, Reclassification Adjustment from AOCI, before Tax Other non-current assets Other Assets, Noncurrent Plan Name [Axis] Plan Name [Axis] Segment Information Segment Reporting Disclosure [Text Block] Total assets Assets Outstanding, beginning of period (in shares) Outstanding, end of period (in shares) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number Corporate and Other Corporate Segment [Member] Title of 12(b) Security Title of 12(b) Security Senior Notes due 2026 Senior Notes Due Two Thousand Twenty Six [Member] Senior Notes Due Two Thousand Twenty Six [Member] Net Intangibles Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net Accrued taxes Accrued Income Taxes, Current Financial information for each reportable segment Segment Reporting, Disclosure of Entity's Reportable Segments [Abstract] Antidilutive Securities Excluded From Computation Of Earnings Per Share By Antidilutive Securities [Axis] Antidilutive Securities [Axis] Cost of Revenue Cost of Sales [Member] Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Axis] Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Axis] Credit Facilities and Long-Term Debt : Long-term Debt, by Current and Noncurrent [Abstract] Interest expense Interest Expense Interest Expense Other Stockholders' Equity, Other Depreciation and amortization Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items] Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items] Other Other Intangible Assets [Member] Product and Service [Axis] Product and Service [Axis] Total liabilities Liabilities Cross Currency Swaps Cross Currency Interest Rate Contract [Member] 2021 Plan Two Thousand Twenty One Restructuring Plan [Member] Two Thousand Twenty One Restructuring Plan Revenue Sales [Member] Sell EUR Buy PLN Sell EUR Buy PLN [Member] Sell EUR Buy PLN [Member] Other non-current assets Other Noncurrent Assets [Member] Weighted average period Share-based Payment Arrangement, Nonvested Award, Cost Not yet Recognized, Period for Recognition Components of net periodic benefit cost and other amounts recognized in other comprehensive income Schedule of Amounts Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table Text Block] Volatility Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Volatility Rate Retirement Plan Type [Axis] Retirement Plan Type [Axis] Vested and expected to vest, end of period Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Vested and Expected to Vest, Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term Other Comprehensive Income Location [Domain] Other Comprehensive Income Location [Domain] Tax on foreign currency translation adjustment Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Reclassification Adjustment from AOCI, Realized upon Sale or Liquidation, before Tax Revenue recognized from opening balance Contract with Customer, Liability, Revenue Recognized Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract] Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract] Unrealized gain (loss) on derivative hedge agreements Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Cash Flow Hedge, Gain (Loss), before Reclassification and Tax Changes in inventories Increase (Decrease) in Inventories Industrial Water Industrial Water [Member] Industrial Water [Member] Total restructuring and asset impairment charges Asset Impairment and Restructuring Charges Asset Impairment and Restructuring Charges Changes in accounts payable Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Payable Summary of restricted stock activity Summary of performance share activity Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number of Shares [Roll Forward] Raw materials Inventory, Raw Materials, Net of Reserves Asset impairment Asset impairment Restructuring Reserve, Asset Impairment Restructuring Reserve, Asset Impairment Capital in Excess of Par Value Additional Paid-in Capital [Member] Debt Instrument [Axis] Debt Instrument [Axis] Antidilutive Securities Name [Domain] Antidilutive Securities, Name [Domain] Operating Segments Operating Segments [Member] Other, net Other Operating Activities, Cash Flow Statement Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items] Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items] Repurchase of common stock Shares repurchased (less than $1 million) Treasury Stock, Value, Acquired, Cost Method Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date [Axis] Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date [Axis] Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract] Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract] Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract] Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract] Additions, net Contract With Customer, Asset, New Contract Additions Contract With Customer, Asset, New Contract Additions Revolving Credit Facility Revolving Credit Facility [Member] ESG Performance Shares ESG Performance Shares [Member] ESG Performance Shares Income before taxes Income before taxes Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes, Noncontrolling Interest Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: Adjustments, Noncash Items, to Reconcile Net Income (Loss) to Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract] Research and development expenses Research and Development Expense Outstanding, beginning of period (in usd per share) Outstanding, end of period (in usd per share) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price Common Stock, shares authorized Common Stock, Shares Authorized Summary of restricted stock activity Share-based Payment Arrangement, Restricted Stock Unit, Activity [Table Text Block] Total debt Debt, Long-term and Short-term, Combined Amount Dilutive effect of common shares Incremental Common Shares Attributable to Dilutive Effect of Share-based Payment Arrangements Proceeds from exercise of employee stock options Proceeds from Stock Options Exercised Cash paid during the period for: Cash Paid During Year for [Abstract] Cash paid during the period for: Restructuring Plan [Domain] Restructuring Plan [Domain] Sell GBP Buy EUR Sell GBP Buy EUR [Member] Sell GBP Buy EUR [Member] Warranty accrual – January 1 Warranty accrual - September 30 Standard Product Warranty Accrual Income Statement [Abstract] Income Statement [Abstract] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss Total AOCI Attributable to Parent [Member] Sell CDN Buy EUR Sell CDN Buy EUR [Member] Sell CDN Buy EUR [Member] Adjustment for Condition Achieved (in shares) Share-based Compensation Arrangement By Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other Than Options, Adjustments In Period Share-based Compensation Arrangement By Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other Than Options, Adjustments In Period Income tax impact on amortization of post-retirement benefit plan items Other Comprehensive (Income) Loss, Defined Benefit Plan, Prior Service Cost (Credit), Reclassification Adjustment from AOCI, Tax Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Table] Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Table] Current assets: Assets, Current [Abstract] Stock-Based Compensation Plans (Textual) [Abstract] Stock-Based Compensation Plans (Textual) [Abstract] Stock-based compensation plans. Amortization Amortization Remaining authorized amount of repurchase Stock Repurchase Program, Remaining Authorized Repurchase Amount 2019 Five-Year Revolving Credit Facility Five Year Revolving Credit Facility 2019 [Member] Five Year Revolving Credit Facility 2019 [Member] Comprehensive income attributable to Xylem Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent Dividend yield Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Dividend Rate Foreign currency translation adjustment Foreign currency translation adjustment Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Gain (Loss), before Reclassification and Tax Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward] Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward] Summary of performance based share grants Schedule of Nonvested Performance-based Units Activity [Table Text Block] City Area Code City Area Code Consolidation Items [Domain] Consolidation Items [Domain] Document Period End Date Document Period End Date Adjustment for Condition Achieved (in usd per share) Share-based Compensation Arrangement By Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other Than Options, Adjustments In Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Share-based Compensation Arrangement By Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other Than Options, Adjustments In Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Text Block] Loss Contingency Accrual Loss Contingency Accrual Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term [Roll Forward] Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term [Roll Forward] Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term [Roll Forward] Public Utility, Property, Plant and Equipment [Table] Public Utility, Property, Plant and Equipment [Table] Stock repurchase program, authorized amount Stock Repurchase Program, Authorized Amount Lease Revenue Other Revenues Other Revenues Net income Net income Net income Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Disaggregation of Revenue Disaggregation of Revenue [Table Text Block] Warranties Movement in Standard Product Warranty Accrual [Roll Forward] Hedging Designation [Axis] Hedging Designation [Axis] Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Domain] Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Domain] Goodwill, Impaired, Accumulated Impairment Loss Goodwill, Impaired, Accumulated Impairment Loss Disaggregation of Revenue [Table] Disaggregation of Revenue [Table] Other postretirement benefit expense Other Postretirement Benefits Cost (Reversal of Cost) Inventories Schedule of Inventory, Current [Table Text Block] Long-term Debt, Type [Domain] Long-term Debt, Type [Domain] Share-based compensation Share-based Payment Arrangement, Noncash Expense Capital expenditures Capital expenditures Payments to Acquire Productive Assets Other, net Proceeds from (Payments for) Other Financing Activities Derivatives designated as hedging instruments Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill) [Abstract] Cover page. Cover [Abstract] Expected Restructuring Costs Restructuring and Related Costs [Table Text Block] Reversal of restructuring accruals Restructuring Reserve, Accrual Adjustment Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) by Hedging Relationship, by Income Statement Location, by Derivative Instrument Risk [Table] Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Table] Other Contract With Customer, Liability, Other Contract With Customer, Liability, Other Assets Foreign Currency Cash Flow Hedge Asset at Fair Value Redemption price percentage Redemption Price Percentage Redemption price percentage. Accrued and Other Current Liabilities Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities, Current [Abstract] Add: Participating securities Incremental Common Shares Attributable to Participating Nonvested Shares with Non-forfeitable Dividend Rights Service cost Defined Benefit Plan, Service Cost Changes in accrued taxes Increase (Decrease) in Accrued Taxes Payable Amount of (gain) loss reclassified from OCI into cost of revenue Cost of Goods and Services Sold Customer and distributor relationships Customer Relationships [Member] Equity Components [Axis] Equity Components [Axis] Restricted Stock Restricted Stock [Member] Restricted Stock [Member] Finished goods Inventory, Finished Goods, Net of Reserves Share-based Payment Arrangement [Abstract] Share-based Payment Arrangement [Abstract] Debt Instrument, Name [Domain] Debt Instrument, Name [Domain] Minimum Minimum [Member] Balance Sheet Location [Domain] Balance Sheet Location [Domain] Lease liabilities Operating Lease, Liability, Current Residential Building Services Residential Building Services [Member] Residential Building Services Forfeited (in usd per share) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Forfeitures, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Forfeitures, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Stock option valuation assumptions Schedule of Share-based Payment Award, Stock Options, Valuation Assumptions [Table Text Block] Amortization of net actuarial loss Defined Benefit Plan, Amortization of Gain (Loss) Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items] Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items] Entity Interactive Data Current Entity Interactive Data Current Net periodic benefit cost Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Credit) United States UNITED STATES Exercised (in usd per share) Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period, Weighted Average Exercise Price Operating Activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract] Equity Stockholders' Equity Note Disclosure [Text Block] Derivatives, Fair Value Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items] Cumulative Effect, Period of Adoption, Adjustment Cumulative Effect, Period of Adoption, Adjustment [Member] Capital in excess of par value Additional Paid in Capital, Common Stock Entity Registrant Name Entity Registrant Name Derivative [Table] Derivative [Table] Asset impairment charges Asset Impairment Charges Proceeds from the sale of property, plant and equipment Proceeds from Sale of Property, Plant, and Equipment Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price [Roll Forward] Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price [Abstract] Intangible Assets Gross, Carrying Amount Intangible Assets, Gross (Excluding Goodwill) Number of reportable segments Number of Reportable Segments Retirement Plan Type [Domain] Retirement Plan Type [Domain] Restructuring Charges Restructuring, Impairment, and Other Activities Disclosure [Text Block] Dividends paid Payments of Ordinary Dividends, Common Stock Plus incremental shares from assumed conversions: Incremental Weighted Average Shares Attributable to Dilutive Effect [Abstract] Weighted average common shares outstanding Weighted Average Number of Shares Issued, Basic Consolidation Items [Axis] Consolidation Items [Axis] Reclassification of unrealized gain (loss) on foreign exchange agreements Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Adjustment, before Tax Net change in post-retirement benefit plans: Other Comprehensive (Income) Loss, Defined Benefit Plan, after Reclassification Adjustment, before Tax [Abstract] Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code Goodwill impairment charge Goodwill, Impairment Loss Receivables, less allowances for discounts, returns and credit losses of $43 and $46 in 2021 and 2020, respectively Accounts Receivable, after Allowance for Credit Loss, Current Capital Stock Treasury Stock [Text Block] Other Comprehensive Income Location [Axis] Other Comprehensive Income Location [Axis] International defined benefit pension plans Foreign Plan [Member] Foreign Plan [Member] Restructuring accruals - January 1 Restructuring accruals - September 30 Restructuring Reserve Entity Address, Postal Zip Code Entity Address, Postal Zip Code Trademarks Trademarks [Member] Cash Flow Hedging [Member] Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member] Payments for restructuring Cash payments Payments for Restructuring Goodwill Balance as of January 1, 2021 Balance as of September 30, 2021 Goodwill Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent Document Transition Report Document Transition Report Applied Water Applied Water Applied Water [Member] Applied Water [Member] Senior Notes due 2046 Senior Notes Due Two Thousand Forty Six [Member] Senior Notes Due Two Thousand Forty Six [Member] Restructuring and asset impairment charges Restructuring Costs and Asset Impairment Charges Dividends declared per share (usd per share) Common Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Declared Face amount Debt Instrument, Face Amount Incremental shares from stock options and restricted stock: Schedule Of Antidilutive Securities Excluded From Computation Of Earnings Per Share [Abstract] Schedule of antidilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share. 2020 Plan Two Thousand Twenty Restructuring Plan [Member] Two Thousand Twenty Restructuring Plan Document Quarterly Report Document Quarterly Report Changes in the carrying value of goodwill by operating segment Schedule of Goodwill [Table Text Block] Forfeited (in shares) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Forfeitures in Period Equity [Abstract] Equity [Abstract] Net periodic benefit cost: Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Credit) [Abstract] Changes in receivables Increase (Decrease) in Receivables Schedule Of Antidilutive Securities Excluded From Computation Of Earnings Per Share [Table] Schedule of Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Table] Derivative Financial Instruments Derivative Instruments Gains Losses In Statement Of Financial Performance [Abstract] Derivative instruments gains losses in statement of financial performance. Additions, net Contract With Customer, Liability, Additions Contract With Customer, Liability, Additions Granted (in usd per share) Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Exercise Price Cumulative Effect, Period of Adoption [Axis] Cumulative Effect, Period of Adoption [Axis] Short-term debt repaid Repayments of Short-term Debt Vested and expected, end of period (in shares) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Vested and Expected to Vest, Outstanding, Number Credit Facility [Domain] Credit Facility [Domain] Derivative Contract [Domain] Derivative Contract [Domain] Diluted (in shares) Weighted average common shares outstanding — Diluted Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted Basic (usd per share) Basic earnings per share (usd per share) Earnings Per Share, Basic Foreign currency and other Restructuring Reserve, Translation and Other Adjustment Expected term (in years) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Term Total expected costs remaining Restructuring and Related Cost, Expected Cost Remaining Number of operating segment Number of Operating Segments Entity File Number Entity File Number Accrued and Other Current Liabilities Schedule of Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities [Table Text Block] Forfeited (in shares) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Forfeited in Period Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Forfeited in Period Debt Disclosure [Abstract] Debt Disclosure [Abstract] Other current liabilities Other Current Liabilities [Member] Accrued post-retirement benefits Liability, Defined Benefit Plan, Noncurrent Regional Selling Locations Regional Selling Location [Member] [Member] Regional Selling Location [Member] Restructuring Plan [Axis] Restructuring Plan [Axis] Net Cash – Financing activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities Long-term debt repaid Repayments of Long-term Debt Remaining performance obligation Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Amount Balance Sheet Location [Axis] Balance Sheet Location [Axis] Revenue from contracts with customers Revenue from Contract with Customer, Including Assessed Tax Common Stock Common Stock, Value, Issued Long-term debt Long-term Debt [Member] Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract] Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract] Impairment charge Impairment of Intangible Assets, Finite-lived Finite-Lived Intangible Assets Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items] Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Fiscal Year Focus Water Infrastructure Water Infrastructure Water Infrastructure [Member] Water Infrastructure [Member] Foreign currency and other Standard Product Warranty Accrual Other Standard Product Warranty Accrual Other Aggregate intrinsic value, exercisable Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercisable, Intrinsic Value Entity Current Reporting Status Entity Current Reporting Status Short-term borrowings and current maturities of long-term debt Less: short-term borrowings and current maturities of long-term debt Debt, Current Total expected costs Restructuring and Related Cost, Expected Cost Change in Contract with Customer, Liability [Abstract] Change in Contract with Customer, Liability [Abstract] Retirement Benefits [Abstract] Retirement Benefits [Abstract] Net losses expected to be reclassified in next 12 months Foreign Currency Cash Flow Hedge Gain (Loss) to be Reclassified During Next 12 Months Emerging Markets Emerging Markets [Member] Emerging Markets Other Intangible Assets Schedule Of Intangible Assets Excluding Goodwill [Table Text Block] Schedule of intangible assets excluding goodwill. Comprehensive income Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Schedule of Long-term Debt Instruments [Table] Schedule of Long-term Debt Instruments [Table] Treatment Treatment [Member] Treatment [Member] Non-controlling interests Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Granted (in usd per share) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Inventory Disclosure [Abstract] Inventory Disclosure [Abstract] Investing Activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities [Abstract] Common Stock, shares issued Common Stock, Shares, Issued Cash and cash equivalents Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year Cash and cash equivalents at end of period Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value Schedule of Earnings Per Share Basic and Diluted [Line Items] Schedule of Earnings Per Share Basic and Diluted [Line Items] Schedule of earnings per share basic and diluted. Measurement & Control Solutions Measurement and Control Solutions [Member] Measurement and Control Solutions [Member] Schedule of Defined Benefit Plans Disclosures [Table] Schedule of Defined Benefit Plans Disclosures [Table] Long-term debt Long-term Debt, Excluding Current Maturities Segment Reporting [Abstract] Segment Reporting [Abstract] Interest Expense Interest Expense [Member] Share Repurchase Program [Axis] Share Repurchase Program [Axis] Background and Basis of Presentation Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block] Debt Instrument Debt Instrument [Line Items] Total stockholders’ equity Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract] Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract] Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity Liabilities and Equity Accumulated other comprehensive loss Beginning balance Ending balance Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax Income Taxes Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block] Entity Address, City or Town Entity Address, City or Town Compensation and other employee-benefits Employee-related Liabilities, Current Other restructuring charges Other Restructuring Costs Antidilutive securities (in shares) Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount Restructuring Charges, Total Estimated Charges Adjustment Restructuring Charges, Total Estimated Charges Adjustment Restructuring Charges, Total Estimated Charges Adjustment Other, net Other Noncash Income (Expense) Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax: Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Tax [Abstract] Equity Component [Domain] Equity Component [Domain] Effect of derivative financial instruments Schedule of Cash Flow Hedges Included in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table Text Block] Gross profit Gross Profit Property, plant and equipment, net Property, Plant and Equipment, Net Entity Tax Identification Number Entity Tax Identification Number Share-Based Compensation Plans Share-based Payment Arrangement [Text Block] Net income attributable to Xylem (in usd) Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent Changes in assets and liabilities (net of acquisitions): Increase (Decrease) in Operating Capital [Abstract] Return on Invested Capital Performance-Based Shares [Member] Return on Invested Capital Performance-Based Shares [Member] Return on Invested Capital Performance-Based Shares [Member] Weighted-average fair value / share (in usd per share) Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Fair Value Assumptions Weighted Average Fair Value Share based compensation arrangement by share based payment award fair value assumptions weighted average fair value. Other comprehensive income (loss), net Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax Inventories Inventory Disclosure [Text Block] Components of restructuring and asset impairment charges Schedule of Components of Restructuring and Asset Impairment Charges [Table Text Block] Schedule of Components of Restructuring and Asset Impairment Charges [Table Text Block] Long-term Debt, Type [Axis] Long-term Debt, Type [Axis] Total current assets Assets, Current Current Fiscal Year End Date Current Fiscal Year End Date Corporate and other Corporate and Other [Member] Less: comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Earnings per share: Earnings Per Share [Abstract] Earnings Per Share [Abstract] Restructuring charges Restructuring charges Restructuring charges,net Restructuring Charges Amortization of prior service cost and net actuarial loss on post-retirement benefit plans into other non-operating income (expense), net Other Comprehensive (Income) Loss, Defined Benefit Plan, Prior Service Cost (Credit), Reclassification Adjustment from AOCI, before Tax Antidilutive Securities Excluded From Computation Of Earnings Per Share [Line Items] Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items] Other Other Geographical Regions [Member] Other Geographical Regions [Member] Restructuring and asset impairment (recoveries) charges Restructuring and Asset Impairment Losses Restructuring and Asset Impairment Losses Post-retirement Benefit Plans Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment Attributable to Parent [Member] Gain from sale of business Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Business Stockholders’ equity: Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent [Abstract] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items] Summary of the changes in outstanding stock options Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding [Roll Forward] Document Fiscal Period Focus Document Fiscal Period Focus Software Software Development [Member] Estimated environmental matters Accrual for Environmental Loss Contingencies, Gross Employer contribution to defined benefit plan Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Contributions by Employer Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information: Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract] Performance-based shares valuation assumptions Schedule of Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Valuation Assumptions [Table Text Block] Schedule of Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Valuation Assumptions [Table Text Block] Schedule of Stockholders Equity Schedule of Stockholders Equity [Table Text Block] Entity Filer Category Entity Filer Category Common Stock Common Stock [Member] Foreign Currency Translation Accumulated Foreign Currency Adjustment Attributable to Parent [Member] Product and Service [Domain] Product and Service [Domain] Assessment for tax, penalties and interest Income Tax Examination, Estimate of Possible Loss Dividends declared Dividends, Cash Water Water [Member] Euro Commercial Paper Program Euro Commercial Paper Program [Member] Euro Commercial Paper Program [Member] Income tax expense (benefit) related to items of other comprehensive income (loss) Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax Class of Treasury Stock [Table] Class of Treasury Stock [Table] Maximum permitted increases in Credit Facility borrowing base Line of Credit Facility, Increases in Maximum Borrowing Capacity, Total Line of Credit Facility, Increases in Maximum Borrowing Capacity, Total Customer-related liabilities Customer Related Liabilities Current Customer related liabilities current. Carrying Amount Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross Green Bond Green Bond [Member] Green Bond Interest on notes due Interest rate Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage Expected timing of recognition Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Period Aggregate intrinsic value, vested and expected to vest Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Vested and Expected to Vest, Outstanding, Aggregate Intrinsic Value Exercised (in shares) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period Net change in cash and cash equivalents Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Restricted Cash Equivalents, Period Increase (Decrease), Including Exchange Rate Effect Fair Values Derivatives, Balance Sheet Location, by Derivative Contract Type [Table] Fair Values Derivatives, Balance Sheet Location, by Derivative Contract Type [Table] Inventories Inventory, Net, Combining Work in Process and Raw Materials Alternative [Abstract] Amount of loss (gain) reclassified into net income Foreign Currency Cash Flow Hedge Gain (Loss) Reclassified to Earnings, Net Stock Options Share-based Payment Arrangement, Option [Member] Basis of Presentation Basis of Accounting, Policy [Policy Text Block] Proprietary technology and patents Proprietary and Patented Technology [Member] Proprietary and Patented Technology Equity, Class of Treasury Stock [Line Items] Equity, Class of Treasury Stock [Line Items] Basic (in shares) Weighted average common shares outstanding — Basic Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic Risk-free interest rate Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Risk Free Interest Rate Forfeited (in usd per share) Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Forfeitures in Period, Weighted Average Exercise Price Energy Electric [Member] Electric [Member] Document Information [Line Items] Document Information [Line Items] Treasury Stock, shares Treasury Stock, Shares Plan Name [Domain] Plan Name [Domain] Revenue Revenue from Contract with Customer [Text Block] Interest Interest Paid, Excluding Capitalized Interest, Operating Activities Total Shareholder Return Performance-Based Shares Total Shareholder Return Performance-Based Shares [Member] Total Shareholder Return Performance-Based Shares [Member] Net change in derivative hedge agreements: Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Cash Flow Hedge, Gain (Loss), after Reclassification, before Tax [Abstract] Total equity Beginning balance Ending balance Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Long-term Debt, Fair Value Fair value of senior notes due Long-term Debt, Fair Value Revenues Total Amount of gain reclassified from OCI into revenue Revenues Class of Stock [Axis] Class of Stock [Axis] Income tax expense Income tax provision Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Fair values of foreign exchange contracts Schedule of Derivative Assets at Fair Value [Table Text Block] Income taxes (net of refunds received) Income Taxes Paid, Net Share Repurchase Programs Share Repurchase Plans [Member] Share Repurchase Plans [Member] Accrued and other current liabilities Total accrued and other current liabilities Accrued Liabilities, Current Diluted (usd per share) Diluted earnings per share (usd per share) Earnings Per Share, Diluted Local Phone Number Local Phone Number Segment Information (Textual) [Abstract] Segment Information (Textual) [Abstract] Segment Information. Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract] Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract] Cumulative Effect, Period of Adoption [Domain] Cumulative Effect, Period of Adoption [Domain] Total intrinsic value of options exercised Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period, Intrinsic Value Derivative [Line Items] Derivative [Line Items] Derivative Instruments Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Cash Flow Hedges Attributable to Parent [Member] Senior Notes Due Long-term Debt, Gross Schedule of Credit Facilities and Long-Term Debt Schedule of Long-term Debt Instruments [Table Text Block] Depreciation Depreciation Entity Address, Address Line One Entity Address, Address Line One Proceeds from sale of business Proceeds from Divestiture of Businesses, Net of Cash Divested Beginning balance Ending balance Contract with Customer, Liability Entity Emerging Growth Company Entity Emerging Growth Company Defined Benefit Plan, Accumulated Benefit Obligation, (Increase) Decrease for Settlement and Curtailment Defined Benefit Plan, Accumulated Benefit Obligation, (Increase) Decrease for Settlement and Curtailment Foreign Currency Denominated Debt Foreign Currency Denominated Debt [Member] Foreign Currency Denominated Debt [Member] Indefinite-lived intangibles Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets (Excluding Goodwill) Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Table] Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Table] Income tax benefit on unrealized loss on derivative hedge agreements Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Cash Flow Hedge, Gain (Loss), Reclassification, Tax Debt instrument aggregate principal amount Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity Award Type [Axis] Award Type [Axis] Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value [Abstract] Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value [Abstract] Accumulated Amortization Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization Maximum Maximum [Member] Non-Controlling Interest Noncontrolling Interest [Member] 2019 Plan Two Thousand Nineteen Restructuring Plan [Member] Two Thousand Nineteen Restructuring Plan [Member] Net Investment Hedges Foreign Currency Cash Flow Hedge Derivative at Fair Value, Net Retained Earnings Retained Earnings [Member] US Dollar Commercial Paper Program US Dollar Commercial Paper Program [Member] US Dollar Commercial Paper Program [Member] Public Utility, Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items] Public Utility, Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items] Effective tax rate Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Percent Net Cash – Investing activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities Cash paid for investments Payments to Acquire Investments Outstanding, weighted average remaining contractual term Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term Schedule of Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award [Table] Schedule of Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award [Table] Award Type [Domain] Award Type [Domain] Guarantee amounts Guarantor Obligations, Current Carrying Value Trading Symbol Trading Symbol Options exercisable, end of period (in usd per share) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price Schedule of Earnings Per Share Basic and Diluted [Table] Schedule of Earnings Per Share Basic and Diluted [Table] Schedule of earnings per share basic and diluted. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table] Settlement of warranty claims Standard Product Warranty Accrual, Decrease for Payments Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Table] Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Table] Treasury stock – at cost 15.2 shares and 14.5 shares in 2021 and 2020, respectively Treasury Stock, Value Liabilities Foreign Currency Cash Flow Hedge Liability at Fair Value Earnings Per Share Earnings Per Share [Text Block] Current liabilities: Liabilities, Current [Abstract] Entity Shell Company Entity Shell Company Segment Reporting Information Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] Vested and expected, end of period (in usd per share) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Vested and Expected to Vest, Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price Statement of Financial Position [Abstract] Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]