Earnings per share (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Earnings per share
Net income from continuing operations attributable to Consolidated Water Co. Ltd. stockholders	$ 8,613,771	$ 10,888,178
Less: preferred stock dividends	(11,740)	(11,937)
Net income from continuing operations available to common shares in the determination of basic earnings per common share	8,602,031	10,876,241
Total income (loss) from discontinued operations	(4,902,243)	1,287,915
Net income available to common shares in the determination of basic earnings per common share	$ 3,699,788	$ 12,164,156
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)	15,119,305	15,025,639
Weighted average number of preferred shares outstanding during the period (in shares)	33,814	33,983
Potential dilutive effect of unexercised options and unvested stock grants	70,836	77,454
Weighted average number of shares used for determining diluted earnings per common share attributable to Consolidated Water Co. Ltd. common stockholders	15,223,955	15,137,076

Amount of paid and unpaid preferred stock dividends declared with the form of settlement in cash, stock and payment-in-kind (PIK).

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