Earnings per share (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Net income attributable to Consolidated Water Co. Ltd. common stockholders	$ 2,228,100	$ 2,759,693	$ 4,149,361	$ 3,414,602
Less: preferred stock dividends	(3,418)	(3,139)	(6,181)	(6,278)
Net income available to common shares in the determination of basic earnings per common share	$ 2,224,682	$ 2,756,554	$ 4,143,180	$ 3,408,324
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)	14,736,057	14,698,499	14,727,455	14,692,654
Weighted average number of preferred shares outstanding during the period (in shares)	38,459	37,990	37,654	37,701
Potential dilutive effect of unexercised options (in shares)	18,782	23,670	15,160	33,703
Weighted average number of shares used for determining diluted earnings per common share attributable to Consolidated Water Co. Ltd. common stockholders (in shares)	14,793,298	14,760,159	14,780,269	14,764,058