Earnings per share (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012
Net income attributable to Consolidated Water Co. Ltd. common stockholders	$ 2,853,850	$ 1,957,492	$ 6,595,853	$ 4,300,158
Less: preferred stock dividends	(2,996)	(2,421)	(5,991)	(4,842)
Net income available to common shares in the determination of basic earnings per common share	$ 2,850,854	$ 1,955,071	$ 6,589,862	$ 4,295,316
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)	14,636,916	14,579,496	14,617,613	14,574,689
Plus: Weighted average number of preferred shares outstanding during the period	31,998	24,082	30,944	23,187
Potential dilutive effect of unexercised options	15,601	274	11,036	178
Weighted average number of shares used for determining diluted earnings per common share attributable to Consolidated Water Co. Ltd. common stockholders (in shares)	14,684,515	14,603,852	14,659,593	14,598,054