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The Costa Rican Health Department has recently stated that is will be intensifying its inspection of water treatment plants in Jaco due to high contamination levels in the ocean water.

Although the community of Jaco has started taking action in controlling and reducing the coliform contamination level in strategic areas, the Health Department has ordered Regional Health Authorities to inspect water treatment plants in the area to assure proper operation.

In addition, the AyA Sewer and Drainage department will assist the regional health authorities in taking samples from the water treatment plants in Jaco in order to determine accepted levels of coliform.

Complaints of improper water treatment and disposals presented by civilians will be a priority according the head of the Health Department, Maria Luisa Avila Aguero. New sanitary guides and instructions have also been given out to residential and commercial areas as well as to sewer transporters in order to reduce contamination in the Jaco Beach area.

Jaco Beach is a popular coastal town in Costa Rica’s Central Pacific Coast at just 2 hours from downtown San Jose. A popular surf community and vibrant beach town, Jaco attracts thousands of local and foreign tourists year round.

written by Carolyn Ramer \\ tags: Costa Rican Health Department, Jaco Beach contaminated water

After being tagged as one of the 13 beaches with high levels of contaminated water, the Jaco Beach community has come together to revert the damage and make sure that the waters of Jaco Beach are once again safe to swim in.

Jaco Beach in Costa Rica’s Central Pacific Coast, is one of the most popular beaches in the region for both local and foreign tourists.  At a 2 hour drive from downtown San Jose, the town of Jaco offers a vibrant ambiance and night life as well as the commodities of a thriving town.

Jaco is also very popular among surfers from around the world as its waters offers great waves for beginners and professional surfers.  Unfortunately, due to the rapidly growing popularity of Jaco, its ocean waters have been seriously contaminated by untreated residual waters carrying a considerable amount of coliform particles.

The Costa Rican National Water Laboratory recently pointed out 13 beaches which presented enough contamination levels to provoke health problems to people who would swim in its waters.

The Costa Rican government has intervened by setting strict sanctions to those beaches which do not take necessary measures in keeping its environment clean and by rewarding those who do.  Several members of different sectors of the Jaco community along with the Municipality have joined forces to monitor water treatment plants as well as proper disposal of garbage.

The community of Jaco expects to follow the example of other beaches such as Tamarindo in order to have clean waters and earn the Ecological Blue Flag granted to communities and beaches which have a positive impact on the environment.

written by Carolyn Ramer \\ tags: costa rica Ecological Blue Flag, Costa Rican National Water Laboratory, Ecological Blue Flag, Jaco Beach, Jaco Beach contaminated water, jaco Ecological Blue Flag

During President Oscar Arias’ recent visit to Spain, Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero offered Costa Rica $35 million to be invested in the development of water treatment projects.

The donation made by the government of Spain places Costa Rica as the first country to benefit from the 1.5 billion Euros fund created by the European country for water related projects.

Government officials have already determined which coastal areas will receive funding for the proper treatment of its waters.  The Central Pacific coastal town of Puntarenas will receive the largest cut at $18 million for the development of a water plant which will extract contaminating substances from used water before it is discharged into the sea.

The project will benefit Puntarenas’ 120,000 residents as only 30% of the current population counts with appropriate water treatment plants.  Puntarenas has evolved from being one of the country’s most contaminated beaches to one of the cleanest beaches in just over a year.

The Costa Rican government expects Puntarenas to become a pioneer in water treatment by building a large water treatment plant as well as a modern sewer system.  Costa Rican authorities must present Spain a detailed plan of how the funds will be invested.

The remaining funds will be distributed among other remote areas within Costa Rica which present the characteristic of having a tourism attraction potential but still needs potable water.

Seven million dollars will be invested in the province of Limon in Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast while Golfito in the South Pacific Coast and San Carlos in the Northern plains will receive $5 million each.

written by Carolyn Ramer