Earnings per share (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Net income attributable to Consolidated Water Co. Ltd. stockholders	$ 3,960,501	$ 7,518,701	$ 6,265,358
Less: preferred stock dividends	(11,563)	(12,028)	(11,485)
Net income available to common shares in the determination of basic earnings per common share	$ 3,948,938	$ 7,506,673	$ 6,253,873
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)	14,809,909	14,741,748	14,697,896
Weighted average number of preferred shares outstanding during the period (in shares)	37,706	38,612	37,924
Potential dilutive effect of unexercised options (in shares)	96,413	47,395	28,503
Weighted average number of shares used for determining diluted earnings per common share attributable to Consolidated Water Co. Ltd. common stockholders (in shares)	14,944,028	14,827,755	14,764,323