Earnings per share (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Net income (loss) attributable to Consolidated Water Co. Ltd. stockholders	$ (1,865,332)	$ 1,775,500	$ 2,393,642	$ 5,924,861
Less: preferred stock dividends	(2,680)	(2,937)	(8,921)	(9,118)
Net income (loss) available to common shares in the determination of basic earnings per common share	$ (1,868,012)	$ 1,772,563	$ 2,384,721	$ 5,915,743
Weighted average number of common shares in the determination of basic earnings per common share attributable to Consolidated Water Co. Ltd. common stockholders Plus:	14,815,248	14,749,249	14,803,216	14,734,799
Weighted average number of preferred shares outstanding during the period	37,719	40,194	38,516	38,510
Potential dilutive effect of unexercised options and unvested stock grants	0	12,879	98,903	14,595
Weighted average number of shares used for determining diluted earnings per common share attributable to Consolidated Water Co. Ltd. common stockholders	14,852,967	14,802,322	14,940,635	14,787,904