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Accounting policies (Details Textual) (USD $) | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2012 | Dec. 31, 2011 | Dec. 31, 2007 gal
Accounting Policies [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Revenues | $ 63,822,131 | $ 65,450,702 | $ 55,154,492 |
Gross profit | 23,505,879 | 21,992,442 | 19,022,067 |
Foreign Currency Transaction Gain (Loss), before Tax | (197,396) | 68,355 | 85,996 |
Impaired Assets to be Disposed of by Method Other than Sale, Amount of Impairment Loss |  | 432,727 |  |
Interest Costs Capitalized |  |  | 246,851 |
Goodwill, Impairment Loss |  | 88,717 |  |
Fair Value Inputs, Control Premium | 0.00% |  |  |
Accumulated Amortization of Other Deferred Costs | 1,300,000 | 1,100,000 |  |
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. |  |  |
Criteria For Recognizing 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. |  |  |
Amount Of Water Lost (in gallons) |  |  |  | 438,000,000
Other Assets, Noncurrent | 2,792,831 | 2,706,185 |  |
Cash Deposits In Excess Of Federally Insured Limits | 554,000 |  |  |
Cash And Restricted Cash Equivalents Held In Foreign Bank | 33,100,000 |  |  |
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. |  |
Retail [Member] |  |  |  |
Accounting Policies [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Revenues | 23,018,498 | 24,222,895 | 23,356,338 |
Gross profit | 11,995,402 | 12,674,640 | 11,859,740 |
Estimated Fair Value Carrying Amount Exceeded Percentage | 47.00% | 39.00% |  |
Bulk [Member] |  |  |  |
Accounting Policies [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Revenues | 39,960,220 | 40,758,182 | 30,757,874 |
Gross profit | 11,747,324 | 9,078,295 | 6,630,386 |
Estimated Fair Value Carrying Amount Exceeded Percentage | 23.00% | 6.00% |  |
Services [Member] |  |  |  |
Accounting Policies [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Revenues | 843,413 | 469,625 | 1,040,280 |
Gross profit | (236,847) | 239,507 | 531,941 |
Estimated Fair Value Carrying Amount Exceeded Percentage |  | 10.00% |  |
Capitalized Engineering Labor and Materials Cost [Member] |  |  |  |
Accounting Policies [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Other Assets, Noncurrent | 3,500,000 | 3,500,000 |  |
Cw Bermuda [Member] |  |  |  |
Accounting Policies [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Revenues |  |  | 723,000 |
Gross profit |  |  | $ 457,000 |

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