COSTA RICA NOT PARADISE-RAW SEWAGE EVERYWHERE

UNCLAS SAN JOSE 000653

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EINV ECON SENV CS JA
SUBJECT: COSTA RICA NOT PARADISE-RAW SEWAGE EVERYWHERE


1. This is the first in an occasional series of cables explaining
why Costa Rica is not paradise. These cables seek to paint a
realistic picture of the day-to-day challenges faced by Costa Rica.
Travel brochures don't tell the entire story.


2. Summary. Costa Rica treats less than 3% of human waste, dumping
97% of its sewage into the nation's rivers that drain to the sea,
making the rivers little more than contaminated open drainage
ditches. Despite this shocking lack of modern infrastructure in a
nation that takes great pride in its environmental reputation,
lawmakers vacillated for months before finally accepting a Japanese
loan for major sewage treatment projects. End Summary.

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LEGISLATURE FINALLY ACCEPTS LOAN FOR SEWAGE PROJECTS
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3. After months of vacillating and missed deadlines, Costa Rican
lawmakers gave final approval in November 2006 to Law No. 8559
approving acceptance of a US$127 million loan from the government of
Japan for sewage treatment projects. The loan will finance part an
overall project estimated at US$557 million to replace the decrepit
sewage collection system in the San Jose metropolitan area and to
build a sewage treatment plant. According to the local water and
sewer authority's manager, the current sewer system covers less than
45% of the metropolitan area population. Nationwide, only 25% of
the population is served by sewers. Inadequate treatment plants
mean that even when wastes are collected they are not treated. Many
commercial and industrial areas are not served by either the sewer
system or septic tanks, dumping wastes directly into the nation's
rivers.

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RAW SEWAGE DUMPED INTO THE SEA
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4. Nationwide, Costa Rica currently treats only 2.6% of human waste
generated, ranking Costa Rica amongst the five worst countries in
Latin America. And the country is falling backward. The 2.6% figure
was revised down from 4% after the current Minister of Environment
challenged the inclusion of non-operative treatment systems in the
estimate.) The Central Valley area, which includes greater
metropolitan San Jose and nearly two million people, has an
antiquated sewage collection system with many underground lines
dating from mid-century that have rusted through. In some areas
sewage can be seen leaking into the streets. Despite the fact that
at least 100 new residential subdivisions have been added to the
network, there has been no extensive work on the Central Valley
sewer system since 1981.


5. Nearly all waste enters the rivers that flow through San Jose
and drain into the Pacific Ocean at the Gulf of Nicoya via the Rio
Grande de Tarcoles. Local residents know they should avoid beaches
in that area due to the "black waters". Contamination has damaged
mangrove forests and coral reefs and is suspected of causing reduced
fish catches. Water contamination is also linked to hepatitis,
cholera, skin problems and cases of diarrhea increased 16% in Costa
Rica from 2002 to 2005.


6. In addition to the Japanese loan, experts estimate that Costa
Rica will need an additional US$430 million to complete the entire
project. The Japanese loan will be applied to the first phase of
the project estimated to cost $230 million. Costa Rica's share of
the first phase will be raised by increasing water and sewer rates.
The project is expected to greatly improve the quality of the
receiving waters in the Rivera, Torres, Maria Aguilar, Tiribi and
Tarcoles Rivers.


7. Comment: While famous for its investment in "green" issues such
as national parks and biodiversity protection, Costa Rica does not
walk the talk when it comes to "brown" environmental issues such as
sewage treatment. For a tourism-dependent country that relies upon
its reputation as an environmental paradise and prime ecotourism
destination, the nation's use of its rivers in lieu of a modern
sanitation system, as the conduit for dumping raw untreated waste
onto its most convenient beaches and important fishing areas is a
shocking revelation. The poor state of the sewage system creates
particular hazards for agricultural areas downstream of major
cities, where sewage-borne disease like cholera could frighten away
customers. The lack of fundamental sewage treatment infrastructure
is further evidence that Costa Rica's modernization and development
is fragile. End Comment.
WEITZENKORN