CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Net cash provided by operating activities	$ 8,162,901	$ 13,397,396
Cash flows from investing activities
Purchase of certificate of deposit	(5,637,538)	(5,000,000)
Maturity of certificate of deposit	5,000,000	0
Additions to property, plant and equipment and construction in progress	(1,513,694)	(2,146,991)
Proceeds from sale of equipment	1,660	11,400
Distribution of earnings from OC-BVI	0	727,200
Collections on loans receivable	849,176	868,991
Sale of marketable securities	0	8,587,475
Payment for land held for development	0	(17,432,858)
Restriction on cash balance	(42,090)	(515,849)
Net cash used in investing activities	(1,342,486)	(14,900,632)
Cash flows from financing activities
Dividends paid to CWCO shareholders	(2,212,966)	(2,208,001)
Dividends paid to non-controlling interests	(182,663)	(164,396)
Issuance (repurchase) of redeemable preferred stock, net	1,386	(11,256)
Proceeds received from exercise of stock options	205,876	0
Principal repayments of long term debt	0	(5,301,327)
Proceeds received from demand loan payable	0	10,000,000
Repayments of demand loan payable	(1,000,000)	0
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(3,188,367)	2,315,020
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	(23,208)	(1,005)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	3,608,840	810,779
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	35,713,689	33,626,516
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	39,322,529	34,437,295
Interest paid in cash	76,956	110,603
Non-cash investing and financing activities
Dividends declared but not paid	1,108,963	1,105,527
Obligation paid for land held for development	0	(10,050,000)
Transfers from inventory to property, plant and equipment and construction in progress	92,643	83,084
Transfer from costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings - construction project to accounts receivable	346,335	0
Transfers from construction in progress to property, plant and equipment	1,419,549	329,265
Transfer from construction in progress to costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings - construction project	88,834	0
Common Stock [Member]
Non-cash investing and financing activities
Issuance of shares for services rendered	0	173,458
Redeemable Preferred Stock [Member]
Non-cash investing and financing activities
Issuance of shares for services rendered	$ 110,703	$ 65,289