Costa Rica’s ongoing hot and dry weather is causing water shortages, especially in high-altitude areas of the capital and some parts of the province of Heredia.
In response, the Water and Sewer Institute (AyA) has scheduled more rationing for customers in the San José cantons of Alajuelita, Santa Ana and Moravia. Residents in these areas currently have water for only eight to 10 hours per day.
AyA said on its website that daily rationing will continue as long as water storage tanks remain low at distribution facilities, because of the climate.
“These measures will be applied indefinitely until water levels increase, possibly at the start of the rainy season in mid-May,” the AyA press office said.
The Public Services Company of Heredia (ESPH) has been implementing rationing since mid-February, as lack of rainfall last year caused a decrease in water reserves by nearly 30 percent.
The shortage is affecting some 25,000 people, mostly in northern and central cantons.
The ESPH is rationing water service from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. for all customers in an area extending from the National University campus to the Palacio de los Deportes, and from 8 a.m.-8 p.m. in the communities of La Cornelia, La Liliana, Emilia and some sectors of San Francisco.
Both agencies recommend residents in these areas store sufficient water to meet daily needs until weather improves.
There was some good news, however, as the Public Services Regulatory Authority this week reported that it would submit in April a proposal to reduce water rates for AyA and ESPH customers.
