Shareholders' Equity (Tables)
 9 Months Ended
Apr. 30, 2013
Shareholders' Equity [Abstract]  
Effects of Changes in Ownership Interest in Subsidiaries
Transactions with noncontrolling shareholders for the nine months ended April 30, 2013 and fiscal year ended July 31, 2012 were recorded at amounts that approximated fair value. Effects on shareholders' equity resulting from changes in E&E's ownership interest in its subsidiaries are summarized in the following table.
 
 
 
Nine
Months Ended
April 30, 2013
  
Fiscal
Year Ended
July 31, 2012
 
Net increase in shareholders' equity due to transfers to noncontrolling interest:
 
  
 
Sale of 600 Gustavson common shares (1)
 
$
---
  
$
41,634
 
Total transfers to noncontrolling interests
  
---
   
41,634
 
 
        
Net increases (decreases) in shareholders' equity due to transfers from noncontrolling interests:
        
Purchase of 50 Walsh common shares (2)
  
(18,316
)
  
---
 
Purchase of 25 Lowham common shares (3)
  
(8,737
)
  
---
 
Purchase of 495 Walsh common shares (4)
  
(243,653
)
  
---
 
Purchase of 2,800 Gustavson common shares (5)
  
(293,102
)
  
---
 
Purchase of 370 Walsh common shares (6)
  
(182,125
)
  
---
 
Purchase of 75 Lowham common shares (7)
  
(30,002
)
  
---
 
Purchase of 25 Gestion Ambiental Consultores common shares (8)
  
---
   
(7,452
)
Purchase of 166 Walsh common shares (9)
  
---
   
(97,634
)
Purchase of 496 Walsh common shares (10)
  
---
   
(277,514
)
Purchase of 5,389 Brazil common shares (11)
  
---
   
77,539
 
Purchase of 26,482 Walsh Peru common shares (12)
  
---
   
(238,677
)
Purchase of 152 Walsh common shares (13)
  
---
   
(76,037
)
Total transfers from noncontrolling interests
  
(775,935
)
  
(619,775
)
 
        
Net transfers from noncontrolling interests
 
$
(775,935
)
 
$
(578,141
)

(1)On August 1, 2011, the noncontrolling shareholders of Gustavson Associates, LLC ("Gustavson"), a subsidiary of Walsh Environmental Scientists and Engineers, LLC ("Walsh") purchased an additional 1.5% of newly issued shares of the company for less than $0.1 million in cash.
(2)On April 22, 2013, the Company purchased an additional 0.1% of Walsh from noncontrolling shareholders for less than $0.1 million in cash.
(3)On March 13, 2013, Lowham-Walsh Engineering & Environment Services LLC ("Lowham"), a subsidiary of Walsh, purchased shares from noncontrolling shareholders for less than $0.1 million in cash.
(4)On January 28, 2013, the Company purchased an additional 1.3% of Walsh from noncontrolling shareholders for $0.2 million. Two thirds of the purchase price was paid in cash while the remaining one third was paid for with E&E stock.
(5)On December 28, 2012, Gustavson purchased an additional 6.7% of its shares from noncontrolling shareholders for $0.4 million. Half of the purchase price was paid in cash and Gustavson issued a three year note for the other half.
(6)On December 17, 2012, the Company purchased an additional 0.9% of Walsh from noncontrolling shareholders for $0.2 million in cash.
(7)During the three months ending October 31, 2012, Lowham purchased shares from noncontrolling shareholders for less than $0.1 million in cash.
(8)On May 1, 2012, Gestion Ambiental Consultores S.A ("GAC"), a subsidiary of the Company, purchased 2.5% of its stock back from noncontrolling shareholders for less than $0.1 million in cash.
(9)On April 23, 2012, the Company purchased an additional 0.4% of Walsh from noncontrolling shareholders for $0.1 million in cash.
(10)On January 4, 2012, the Company purchased an additional 1.3% of Walsh from noncontrolling shareholders for $0.3 million. Two thirds of the purchase price was paid in cash while the remaining one third was paid for with E&E stock.
(11)On December 14, 2011, the Company purchased an additional 4.0% of Ecology and Environment do Brasil LTDA (E&E Brasil) from noncontrolling shareholders for $0.2 million cash.
(12)On November 18, 2011, Walsh Peru S.A. Ingenieros y Cientificos Consultores ("Walsh Peru"), a subsidiary of Walsh, purchased an additional 3.9% of its shares from noncontrolling shareholders for $0.4 million in cash.
(13)On October 24, 2011, the Company purchased an additional 0.4% of Walsh from noncontrolling shareholders for $0.1 million in cash.