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Accounting policies (Details Textual) (USD $) | 12 Months Ended
--- | ---
Dec. 31, 2012 | Dec. 31, 2011 | Dec. 31, 2007 gal
Cash and Restricted Cash Equivalents Held In Foreign Bank | $ 36,100,000 |  |
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents |  | 7,500,000 |
Deposits Pledged As Collateral |  | 7,500,000 |
Interest Costs Capitalized |  | 246,851 |
Amount Of Water Lost {in gallons} |  |  | 438,000,000
Other assets | 2,706,185 | 2,855,471 |
Accumulated Amortization of Other Deferred Costs | 1,100,000 | 923,000 |
Fair Value Inputs, Control Premium | 32.60% |  |
Equity Method Investment, Additional Information | The Company uses the equity method of accounting for investments in common stock where the Company holds 20% to 50% of the voting stock of the investee and has significant influence over its operating and financial policies but does not meet the criteria for consolidation. |  |
Crieteria For Recognising Investment At Cost | Investments where the Company does not exercise significant influence over the operating and financial policies of the investee and holds less than 20% of the voting stock are recorded at cost. |  |
Impaired Assets to be Disposed of by Method Other than Sale, Amount of Impairment Loss | 432,727 |  |
Cash Deposits In Excess Of Federally Insured Limits | 303,000 |  |
Estimated Fair Value Percentage Of Services Unit | The fair value the Company estimated for its services unit for the year ended December 31, 2012 was 10% less than its carrying amount. |  |
Goodwill, Impairment Loss | 88,717 |  |
Retail [Member] |  |  |
Estimated Fair Value Carrying Amount Exceeded Percentage | 39.00% |  |
Bulk [Member] |  |  |
Estimated Fair Value Carrying Amount Exceeded Percentage | 6.00% |  |
Services [Member] |  |  |
Estimated Fair Value Carrying Amount Exceeded Percentage | 10.00% |  |
Capitalized Engineering Labor and Materials Cost [Member] |  |  |
Other assets | $ 3,500,000 | $ 3,500,000 |

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