Earnings per share (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Earnings per share
Net income from continuing operations attributable to Consolidated Water Co. Ltd. stockholders	$ 1,727,052	$ 4,309,027	$ 6,768,575	$ 7,963,313
Less: preferred stock dividends	(2,869)	(3,102)	(9,068)	(9,398)
Net income from continuing operations available to common shares in the determination of basic earnings per common share	1,724,183	4,305,925	6,759,507	7,953,915
Total income from discontinued operations	0	243,362	3,621,170	869,794
Net income available to common shares in the determination of basic earnings per common share	$ 1,724,183	$ 4,549,287	$ 10,380,677	$ 8,823,709
Weighted average number of common shares in the determination of basic earnings per common share attributable to Consolidated Water Co. Ltd. common stockholders (in shares)	15,026,710	14,963,195	15,022,489	14,960,602
Weighted average number of preferred shares outstanding during the period (in shares)	34,507	37,621	34,061	35,066
Potential dilutive effect of unexercised options and unvested stock grants	76,877	123,904	76,293	123,747
Weighted average number of shares used for determining diluted earnings per common share attributable to Consolidated Water Co. Ltd. common stockholders (in shares)	15,138,094	15,124,720	15,132,843	15,119,415