Earnings per share (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019
Earnings per share
Net income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to Consolidated Water Co. Ltd. stockholders	$ (1,127,842)	$ 2,476,262	$ 1,760,765	$ 5,041,523
Less: preferred stock dividends	(3,420)	(3,410)	(6,289)	(6,199)
Net income (loss) from continuing operations available to common shares in the determination of basic earnings per common share	(1,131,262)	2,472,852	1,754,476	5,035,324
Total income from discontinued operations	0	0	0	3,621,170
Net income (loss) available to common shares in the determination of basic earnings per common share	$ (1,131,262)	$ 2,472,852	$ 1,754,476	$ 8,656,494
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)	15,114,506	15,020,344	15,114,506	15,020,344
Weighted average number of preferred shares outstanding during the period (in shares)		34,183	34,438	33,834
Potential dilutive effect of unexercised options and unvested stock grants		131,285	120,231	131,285
Weighted average number of shares used for determining diluted earnings per common share attributable to Consolidated Water Co. Ltd. common stockholders	15,114,506	15,185,812	15,269,175	15,185,463