By
the A.M. Costa Rica
staff
The National Water Laboratory of
the Institute of Aqueducts and
Sewers Monday received an award
in a recognition for Regional
Laboratory of Wastewater
2018-2022, from the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency
and USAID.
The distinction is the product
of a program of both U.S.
agencies called "Strengthening
Wastewater Laboratories for
CAFTA-DR," where 12 laboratories
from the region participated to
promote reliable analysis of
wastewater, using ISO quality
standards.
According to Yamileth Astorga,
President of the Institute,
"Costa Rica is promoting the
sanitation Route to improve the
quality of waters in rivers and
beaches and protect public
health.”
The award ceremony was under the
auspices of USAID El Salvador
environmental specialist Rubén
Alemán and the director of the
Environmental Center for Central
America and the Caribbean of the
U.S. Embassy in Costa Rica,
Heidi-Hakone Jovanovic.
The National Water Laboratory
was created in 1964 and carries
out more than 120,000 annual
analyzes. Among them are
analyzes of water used for human
consumption, samplings for the
elaboration of a sanitary risk
index of 163 beaches in the
country, and sludge from 21
water treatment plants, among
others.
Despite the award, the Institute
of Aqueducts and Sewers reported
on March 6 that Costa Rica
suffers serious pollution in
rivers due to poor wastewater
management.
The information published by the
institute pointed out that the
country suffers from serious
pollution problems in river beds
due to wastewater and solid
waste discharged into them.
Regarding that report, Yamileth
Astorga said: "Costa Rica has
invested in environmental
matters and we are a reference
nation in that matter but the
quality of the waters in our
rivers and the deterioration of
these channels due to pollution
is quite high."
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A.M.
Costa Rica
wire services
photo
Despite
the award, the
Institute of
Aqueducts and
Sewers reported on
March 6 that Costa
Rica suffers
serious pollution
in rivers due to
poor wastewater
management.
The
institute said
that some of the
dirtiest rivers,
due to high
pollution when
they cross the
cities, are the
Tiribí, María
Aguilar and
Torres.
The main polluter
of the rivers is
houses connected
to the sanitary
sewer system
because the sewage
pipes of the
houses discharge
directly into
rivers.
Astorga reports
that to recover
the river’s
infrastructure
investments will
take an estimated
¢6.222 million
(about $
10,408,161).
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Have
you heard of any
area in Costa Rica
where the water is
not
potable?
We would like to
know your thoughts
on this story. Send
your comments to: news@amcostarica.com
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