American Expatriate Costa Rica

Groups delay government action to stop water wells digging

Businesses and the geologists association have been pressing the goverment to delay a plan to stop water wells digging at Guanacaste for three years.

According to the minister of Environment and Energy, Egdar Gutiérrez, and the president of the water service company, Yamileth Astorga, the opposition against the action has been led by Guanacaste’s tourism chamber, Costa Rican builders association, and the geologists professional association, who resist control of illegal water wells, under the perception that this would affect their interests.

The government aims to allow time for water reservoirs to recover after three years of drought. However, this year’s rainy season has been more intense than expected, which might change the government’s plan. Now, the postponement would come into effect only in the coastal zones, instead of the whole province.

According to official data, there are about 3.000 authorized water wells in the region, but authorities ignore how many illegal wells are out there.

Source: La Nación.