Earnings per share (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021	Mar. 31, 2020
Earnings per share
Net income from continuing operations attributable to Consolidated Water Co. Ltd. stockholders	$ 1,301,566	$ 3,204,972
Less: preferred stock dividends	(2,559)	(2,869)
Net income from continuing operations available to common shares in the determination of basic earnings per common share	1,299,007	3,202,103
Total income (loss) from discontinued operations	(312,794)	(316,365)
Net income available to common shares in the determination of basic earnings per common share	$ 986,213	$ 2,885,738
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)	15,201,458	15,114,506
Weighted average number of preferred shares outstanding during the period (in shares)	30,469	33,751
Potential dilutive effect of unexercised options and unvested stock grants	124,915	120,627
Weighted average number of shares used for determining diluted earnings per common share attributable to Consolidated Water Co. Ltd. common stockholders	15,356,842	15,268,884