XML 68 R51.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v3.3.1.900

Accounting policies (Details Textual) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Foreign Currency Transaction Gain (Loss), before Tax	$ (485,291)	$ (111,409)	$ (197,396)
Cash Deposits In Excess Of Federally Insured Limits	1,900,000
Accumulated Amortization of Other Deferred Costs	$ 1,600,000	1,400,000
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.
Reconciliation Percentage of Implied Control Premium	5.00%
Certificates of Deposit, at Carrying Value	$ 5,637,538	5,000,000
Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value	27,871,149	22,760,231
Cash And Restricted Cash Equivalents Held In Foreign Bank	44,400,000
Costs in Excess of Billings, Current	0	1,090,489
Effect of Exchange Rate on Cash, Total			$ 364,000
Certificates of Deposit [Member]
Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value	13,600,000	$ 3,000,000
BELIZE
Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Deposits held in foreign bank	4,200,000
BAHAMAS
Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Deposits held in foreign bank	23,200,000
Certificates of Deposit, at Carrying Value	$ 5,600,000
Retail [Member]
Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Estimated Fair Value Carrying Amount Exceeded Percentage	72.00%	36.00%
Bulk [Member]
Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Estimated Fair Value Carrying Amount Exceeded Percentage	20.00%	29.00%
Capitalized Engineering Labor and Materials Cost [Member]
Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Other Assets	$ 3,500,000	$ 3,500,000

X

- References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	cwco_AccountingPoliciesLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	cwco_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

Represents the amount cash held in foreign bank accounts including restricted cash.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	cwco_CashAndRestrictedCashEquivalentsHeldInForeignBank
Namespace Prefix:	cwco_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

X

- Definition

Represents the amount of deposits in excess of federally insured limits.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	cwco_CashDepositsInExcessOfFederallyInsuredLimits
Namespace Prefix:	cwco_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

X

- Definition

Represents the conditions to recognize the investment value in cost.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	cwco_CrieteriaForRecognisingInvestmentAtCost
Namespace Prefix:	cwco_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

Amount of deposits held in foreign banks, as stated in equivalent United States dollars.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	cwco_DepositsHeldInForeignBank
Namespace Prefix:	cwco_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

X

- Definition

Represents the exceeded percentage of estimated fair value of reporting segments.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	cwco_EstimatedFairValuEcarryingAmountExceededPercentage
Namespace Prefix:	cwco_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

The percentage represents implied control premium.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	cwco_ReconciliationPercentageOfImpliedControlPremium
Namespace Prefix:	cwco_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

Accumulated amortization of other deferred costs capitalized at the end of the reporting period. Does not include deferred finance costs, deferred acquisition costs of insurance companies, or deferred leasing costs for real estate operations.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.17)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_AccumulatedAmortizationOfOtherDeferredCosts
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

X

- Definition

Amount of short-term, highly liquid investments that are both readily convertible to known amounts of cash and so near their maturity that they present insignificant risk of changes in value because of changes in interest rates. Excludes cash and cash equivalents within disposal group and discontinued operation.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.1)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Glossary Cash Equivalents
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6507016

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_CashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

X

- Definition

A savings certificate entitling the Entity (that is, bearer) to receive interest at an established maturity date, based upon a fixed interest rate. A certificate of deposit may be issued in any denomination. Certificates of deposit are generally issued by commercial banks and, therefore, insured by the FDIC (up to the prescribed limit). Certificates of deposit generally restrict holders from withdrawing funds on demand without the incurrence of penalties. Generally, only certificates of deposit with original maturities of three months or less qualify as cash equivalents. Original maturity means original maturity to the entity holding the investment. As a related example, both a three-month US Treasury bill and a three-year Treasury note purchased three months from maturity qualify as cash equivalents. However, a Treasury note purchased three-years ago does not become a cash equivalent when its remaining maturity is three months.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Glossary Cash Equivalents
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6507016

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.1)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_CertificatesOfDepositAtCarryingValue
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

X

- Definition

Amount of receivable reflecting the cost incurred on uncompleted contracts in excess of related billings which is expected to be collected within one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 605
-SubTopic 35
-Section 45
-Paragraph 4
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=51671739&loc=d3e57795-111642

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.3(c)(3))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 605
-SubTopic 35
-Section 45
-Paragraph 5
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=51671739&loc=d3e57807-111642

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_CostsInExcessOfBillingsOnUncompletedContractsOrProgramsExpectedToBeCollectedWithinOneYear
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

X

- Definition

Amount of effect of exchange rate changes on cash balances held in foreign currencies. Excludes cash equivalents.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 830
-SubTopic 230
-Section 45
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=49171198&loc=d3e33268-110906

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_EffectOfExchangeRateOnCash
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

This serves as a place to record data that is not required by accounting literature but is useful for readers of the financial statements as it relates to the details of an equity method investment in common stock. Such information may include the amount of change for a change in ownership (equity) percentage in a given period and the amount and type of the consideration given or received in relation to the change in ownership.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentAdditionalInformation
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

Amount before tax of foreign currency transaction realized and unrealized gain (loss) recognized in the income statement.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 830
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6450222&loc=d3e30840-110895

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 830
-SubTopic 20
-Section 45
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6450189&loc=d3e30700-110894

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 830
-SubTopic 20
-Section 45
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6450189&loc=d3e30690-110894

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ForeignCurrencyTransactionGainLossBeforeTax
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

The aggregate carrying amounts, as of the balance sheet date, of assets not separately disclosed in the balance sheet.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.17)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 03
-Paragraph 10
-Article 7

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_OtherAssets
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAxis=us-gaap_CertificatesOfDepositMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis=country_BZ
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis=country_BS
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis=cwco_RetailMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis=cwco_BulkMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis=cwco_CapitalizedEngineeringLaborAndMaterialsCostMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type: