Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders' Equity (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data	Total	Common shares	Additional paid-in capital	Retained earnings	Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	Total Pentair, Inc.	Noncontrolling interest
Balance at Dec. 31, 2010	$ 2,205,032	$ 16,401	$ 474,489	$ 1,624,605	$ (22,342)	$ 2,093,153	$ 111,879
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2010		98,409,192
Net income	120,171			117,253		117,253	2,918
Change in cumulative translation adjustment	65,159				62,456	62,456	2,703
Changes in market value of derivative financial instruments, net of $1,249 tax	1,788				1,788	1,788
Cash dividends - $0.40 per common share	(39,739)			(39,739)		(39,739)
Share repurchase (in shares)		(7,826)
Share repurchase	(287)	(1)	(286)			(287)
Exercise of stock options, net of 3,266 shares tendered for payment (in shares)		408,637
Exercise of stock options, net of 3,266 shares tendered for payment	10,809	68	10,741			10,809
Issuance of restricted shares, net of cancellations (in shares)		29,131
Issuance of restricted shares, net of cancellations	1,437	5	1,432			1,437
Amortization of restricted shares	480		480			480
Shares surrendered by employees to pay taxes (in shares)		(72,799)
Shares surrendered by employees to pay taxes	(2,696)	(13)	(2,683)			(2,696)
Stock compensation	4,700		4,700			4,700
Balance at Jul. 02, 2011	2,366,854	16,460	488,873	1,702,119	41,902	2,249,354	117,500
Balance (in shares) at Jul. 02, 2011		98,766,335
Balance at Dec. 31, 2011	2,047,392	16,437	488,843	1,579,290	(151,241)	1,933,329	114,063
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2011		98,622,564
Net income	135,639			132,644		132,644	2,995
Change in cumulative translation adjustment	(44,981)				(44,006)	(44,006)	(975)
Changes in market value of derivative financial instruments, net of $1,249 tax	3,150				3,150	3,150
Cash dividends - $0.40 per common share	(44,140)			(44,140)		(44,140)
Exercise of stock options, net of 3,266 shares tendered for payment (in shares)		492,777
Exercise of stock options, net of 3,266 shares tendered for payment	15,055	82	14,973			15,055
Issuance of restricted shares, net of cancellations (in shares)		154,536
Issuance of restricted shares, net of cancellations	3,558	26	3,532			3,558
Amortization of restricted shares	352		352			352
Shares surrendered by employees to pay taxes (in shares)		(65,829)
Shares surrendered by employees to pay taxes	(2,450)	(11)	(2,439)			(2,450)
Stock compensation	4,297		4,297			4,297
Balance at Jun. 30, 2012	$ 2,117,872	$ 16,534	$ 509,558	$ 1,667,794	$ (192,097)	$ 2,001,789	$ 116,083
Balance (in shares) at Jun. 30, 2012		99,204,048