Earnings per share (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019
Earnings per share
Net income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to Consolidated Water Co. Ltd. stockholders	$ 1,812,156	$ 2,259,762	$ 7,644,398	$ 8,555,448
Less: preferred stock dividends	(2,810)	(2,869)	(9,099)	(9,068)
Net income (loss) from continuing operations available to common shares in the determination of basic earnings per common share	1,809,346	2,256,893	7,635,299	8,546,380
Total income from discontinued operations	(377,321)	(532,710)	(4,448,798)	1,834,297
Net income (loss) available to common shares in the determination of basic earnings per common share	$ 1,432,025	$ 1,724,183	$ 3,186,501	$ 10,380,677
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)	15,120,983	15,026,710	15,116,681	15,022,489
Weighted average number of preferred shares outstanding during the period (in shares)	34,191	34,507	34,355	34,061
Potential dilutive effect of unexercised options and unvested stock grants	118,355	76,877	119,458	76,293
Weighted average number of shares used for determining diluted earnings per common share attributable to Consolidated Water Co. Ltd. common stockholders	15,273,529	15,138,094	15,270,494	15,132,843