No menu items!

COSTA RICA'S LEADING ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER

HomeArchiveAlajuela Ordered to Stop Dumping Raw Sewage

Alajuela Ordered to Stop Dumping Raw Sewage

THE Municipality of Alajuela andthree central government institutions areunder court order to prevent the dumpingof raw sewage into the area’s rivers aftercitizens took legal action.The Constitutional Chamber of theSupreme Court (Sala IV) ruled April 15in favor of two parties demanding asolution to the river pollution, the odorof which has made some areas “uninhabitable,”according to a statement fromthe Judicial Branch.One ruling called on the municipality,National Water and Sewer Institute(AyA), the Public Health Ministry andthe Environment and Energy Ministry(MINAE) to treat sewage waste in theLa Giralda neighborhood within threemonths, or the heads of those bodies willface three months to two years of prison,or a fine of 20-60 days’ wages.The other ruling called on the municipalityto make plans in its 2006 budgetfor an “integrated solution” to the dumpingof untreated sewage in Alajuela’scentral canton. It called on the HealthMinistry and AyA to cooperate with themunicipality’s efforts, and ordered theComptroller General’s Office to withholdapproval of the 2006 budget until itincludes money for treating raw sewage.Should any of those institutions disobeythe order, their heads face the samepenalty: three months to two years ofprison, or a fine of 20-60 days’ wages.Raw sewage in the streams is “fetid,causes nauseating odors, ruins theappearance of the landscape and businessesin the area, has made the areainhospitable to residences or any productiveactivity, and has increased the riskof the spread of disease,” the JudicialBranch statement said.

Trending Now

EU and Central America Launch First Meeting to Expand Trade Relations

The European Union and Central American nations came together for their first Association Council meeting in Brussels. They focused on growing trade and investment...

Guatemala Earthquakes Leave Two Dead and Several Injured

Two people died following the strong earthquakes that shook much of Guatemala on Tuesday and caused various material damages, according to civil protection authorities....

Caral Citadel in Peru Opens After 3,800 Years

A 3,800-year-old citadel belonging to the Caral civilization—one of the oldest in the world—opened its doors to the public this Saturday after eight years...

Costa Rica’s Religious Culture Through the Eyes of a Non-Religious Expat

Costa Rica is the only country in the Americas that has an official religion—Catholicism—enshrined in its constitution. While the Constitution recognizes freedom of worship,...

Panama’s Colonial Trade Route Named UNESCO World Heritage Site

The colonial route of Panama, used for centuries to transport the riches of the Americas on mules and boats and considered a forerunner of...

Costa Rica Minister Slams NGO “Blackmail” Following Ocean Award

Last November, Costa Rica received the 2024 Oceans Advocate Rob Stewart Award at the annual “Save Our Oceans” gala, organized by Fins Attached in...
Avatar
spot_img
Costa Rica Tours
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Travel Insurance
Costa Rica Rocking Chait
Costa Rica Travel

Latest News from Costa Rica