Earnings per share (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2022	Mar. 31, 2021
Earnings per share
Net income from continuing operations attributable to Consolidated Water Co. Ltd. stockholders	$ 2,324,129	$ 1,301,566
Less: preferred stock dividends	(2,434)	(2,559)
Net income from continuing operations available to common shares in the determination of basic earnings per common share	2,321,695	1,299,007
Loss from discontinued operations	(607,314)	(312,794)
Net income available to common shares in the determination of basic earnings per common share	$ 1,714,381	$ 986,213
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)	15,285,523	15,201,458
Weighted average number of preferred shares outstanding during the period (in shares)	28,635	30,469
Potential dilutive effect of unexercised options and unvested stock grants	121,533	124,915
Weighted average number of shares used for determining diluted earnings per common share attributable to Consolidated Water Co. Ltd. common stockholders	15,435,691	15,356,842