The Costa Rica News (TCRN) – The National Water Laboratory has declared that waste reduction in the Virilla-Tárcoles basin is a concern of national interest by the next government, so that state institutions will get involved in the rescue of this area, which is the most contaminated water in Costa Rica.
Darner Mora, director of the National Water Laboratory, reported that in the basin there are pollution levels ranging between 2 and 24 million fecal E. Coli and microbes per 100 milliliters of water. For this reason the intervention project to Virilla is projected to conclude around 2100.
“The problem is too serious to say that we are going to fix it. Must be people coming, ie the project to continue and provide sustainability because we will not solve, ” Mora said.
Mora explained that during the first year of the initiative they will need the coordination of the municipalities in the geographical areas that pass through the flow, such as Coronado, San Rafael de Heredia, La Union, Tibás, Moravia, San Isidro, San Jose and Bethlehem. During this step they will need to form local committees to identify land uses and pollution sources.
Currently, in the initial phase of the project,the ICE Group, National Water Laboratory, the Institute of Aqueducts and Sewers and municipalities are all involved. He added that pending the Ministry of Health to integrate the initiative, an incentive would declare the project of national interest.
The Blue Flag program includes a category for the certification of companies to combat climate change, which is expected in accompaniment with municipal committees to reduce the deposition of pollutants loads.
Mora noted that a major problem in this watershed pollution is due to the small villages that are located on the banks of rivers in addition to all discharges of sewage discharged by collectors there.
The Costa Rica News (TCRN)
San Jose Costa Rica
