Segment Identifiable Assets (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2010
Identifiable assets
Total assets	$ 11,795,311	[1]	$ 4,586,313	[1]	$ 3,973,533	[1]
Depreciation	87,835		66,235		57,995
Water & Fluid Solutions
Identifiable assets
Total assets	4,734,992	[1]	3,792,188	[1]	3,409,556	[1]
Depreciation	45,736		42,419		37,449
Valves & Controls
Identifiable assets
Total assets	4,283,521	[1]
Depreciation	15,119
Technical Solutions
Identifiable assets
Total assets	2,128,375	[1]	651,693	[1]	728,969	[1]
Depreciation	18,950		17,826		17,544
All Other Segments
Identifiable assets
Total assets	648,423	[1]	142,432	[1]	(164,992)	[1]
Depreciation	$ 8,030		$ 5,990		$ 3,002

[1] All cash and cash equivalents are included in "Other."