Costa Rica
The Cooperation Fund for Water and Sanitation’s portfolio in Costa Rica has been very small, as it is a type 3 country (50% concessionality). However, through its multilateral portfolio it participates in one of the Fund’s largest programmes.
Despite Costa Rica’s high standards of access to water and sanitation, with almost 100% coverage, wastewater treatment coverage is among the lowest in the region (15%), due to the widespread use of septic tanks (70%).
In addition to an already completed intervention, “Programme for access to drinking water in rural settlements”, Spain is collaborating in an action of the Drinking Water and Sanitation Programme (PAPS) of more than 300 million dollars, 20 million of which are donations from the Water Fund.
The programme, which is currently underway, will benefit approximately one million inhabitants in the San José Metropolitan Area (SJMA), 134,329 in the peri-urban area and 57,646 in the rural area. Spain’s resources are focused on drinking water and sanitation projects in rural areas, 94% of which have already been committed by the end of 2020.
The grant finances drinking water and sanitation systems in the Asociaciones Administradoras de los Sistemas de Acueductos y Alcantarillados (ASADAS) of the Northern Area of: La Virgen and Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui, Maleku, Santa Fe de los Chiles, Santa Rosa de Pocosol, San José de Upala and Santa Fe de Guatuso, as it was agreed to focus on rural areas and especially in the northern area. To date, all of them are at a very advanced stage of execution or have been completed, with the exception of San José de Upala, whose bidding and awarding was seriously affected by COVID. The possibility of extending the programme for a few months to allow for the completion of the work is being considered.
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The COVID-19 crisis in 2020 has meant:
- The redirection of funds to carry out rehabilitation of water systems to ensure service in communities in need.
- The assurance of safe working conditions during this period of crisis when works are still in progress.
- Support to the Costa Rican Institute of Aqueducts and Sewerage (AyA) for the production of awareness-raising materials to promote hygiene measures and the need to continue paying for services.
The Maleku Indigenous Community drinking water system was completed in 2019. In addition, community training in hygiene and rational use of water resources and equipment in the Associations administering the communal aqueduct and sewage systems (ASADAS) in each locality are underway.
