Earnings per share (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Net income attributable to Consolidated Water Co. Ltd. stockholders	$ 6,144,062	$ 3,960,501	$ 7,518,701
Less: preferred stock dividends	(11,418)	(11,563)	(12,028)
Net income available to common shares in the determination of basic earnings per common share	$ 6,132,644	$ 3,948,938	$ 7,506,673
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)	14,896,944	14,809,909	14,741,748
Weighted average number of preferred shares outstanding during the period (in shares)	35,765	37,706	38,612
Potential dilutive effect of unexercised options (in shares)	73,972	96,413	47,395
Weighted average number of shares used for determining diluted earnings per common share attributable to Consolidated Water Co. Ltd. common stockholders (in shares)	15,006,681	14,944,028	14,827,755