ABSTRACT
Costa Rica has a reputation as an ecotourism destination and a haven of biodiversity. However, in terms of the management of its water resources, its reputation for progressive environmental management is seriously challenged. The country’s water resources are managed by an array of government institutions and these are guided by legislation dating from 1942 long considered inadequate. Attempts to update the law have not yet met with success. A review of newsprint media during 2007-2008 revealed serious public concerns regarding government ability in managing water resources; the safety of potable water, ecosystem viability and especially surface and groundwater contamination. The major issues were: Central Valley urban area water quality concerns due to nearly inexistent wastewater treatment; northwest and central Pacifi c coast nearshore concerns due to poor wastewater management and an unreliable potable water supply; and Caribbean coastal plain concerns due to alleged groundwater contamination from pineapple cultivation. In an analysis of surface water quality at 56 sites in the Central Valley, home to nearly 60% of the nation’s population, highly degraded river courses were observed and high levels of nutrients corroborated the absence of wastewater treatment. With chaotic tourist development along the NW Pacifi c coast, similar observations were made at 15 sites. The Costa Rican government and public recognize the danger to human and aquatic ecosystem health. However, balancing population and economic growth against the availability of economic resources will continue to challenge their ability to manage their surface and groundwater resources.
