SPECIAL ITEMS (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended			3 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2012	Oct. 31, 2013	Jul. 31, 2013	Jan. 31, 2014	Apr. 30, 2014	Oct. 31, 2014
Long-lived Asset Impairment
Non-cash charge for impairment of long-lived assets, pretax	$ 95.9	$ 102.0	$ 33.4
Water Operations
Long-lived Asset Impairment
Non-cash charge for impairment of long-lived assets, pretax	62.0	57.0		7.0	50.0
Non-cash charge for impairment of long-lived assets, after-tax	30	51		7	44
Water Operations | Cost of Sales
Long-lived Asset Impairment
Non-cash charge for impairment of long-lived assets, pretax		50				26
Non-cash charge for impairment of long-lived assets, after-tax						26
Water Operations | Selling, Administrative, and General Expenses
Long-lived Asset Impairment
Non-cash charge for impairment of long-lived assets, pretax		7
Water Operations | Other Operating Expenses
Long-lived Asset Impairment
Non-cash charge for impairment of long-lived assets, pretax							36
Non-cash charge for impairment of long-lived assets, after-tax							4
Agriculture and Turf | Cost of Sales
Long-lived Asset Impairment
Non-cash charge for impairment of long-lived assets, pretax								18
Non-cash charge for impairment of long-lived assets, after-tax								18
Non-cash charge for impairment of other assets, pretax								16
Non-cash charge for impairment of other assets, after-tax								$ 16