Aqueduct to Bring Water to Siquirres by ’09

Costa Rica’s water agency says it will build a new aqueduct in the Caribbean slope town of Cairo de Siquirres, where residents have depended on water trucks since tests found traces of herbicides in the groundwater there more than two years ago.

“This project will put an end to the drinking water supply problem suffered by communities in Cairo, La Francia and Luisiana due to water pollution,” said Ricardo Sancho, president of the Costa Rican Water and Sewer Institute (AyA), according to a press release.

The aqueduct will also supply communities in El Peje, 3 y 4 Millas, el Silencio and Bella Vista, Sancho added. The project is set to cost ¢700 million ($1.3 million) and could be finished by late 2009.