Costa Rica

   General Information

Costa Rica has long pursued ambitious environmental goals, but outdated legislation and limited financing for small rural systems constrained progress in integrated water and wastewater management. Community aqueduct associations (ASADAS), which serve much of the rural population, struggled to access resources from the Environmental Canon for Discharges and lacked experience in structuring financially sustainable wastewater projects.

Through GEF CReW+, Costa Rica advanced key reforms and pilot actions. The project updated the National Water Policy and the Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) Action Plan, and supported the dissemination of the Policy nationwide to strengthen inclusiveness in the new policy framework. The IWWM national database was imporoved, enhancing both internal monitoring and external reporting capacities. On financing, GEF CReW+ conceptualized a mechanism to facilitate access to funds for water and sanitation projects, supporting the ability of rural and community operators to implement wastewater solutions. The project also provided legal advisory support for structuring a Public-Private Partnership at the Los Tajos wastewater treatment plant.

At the community level, GEF CReW+ completed the feasibility study for a sanitation system in La Fortuna de San Carlos and implemented a constructed wetland at ASADA El Mora, demonstrating cost-effective, nature-based solutions that can be replicated across the country. These achievements have strengthened governance, expanded financing options, and delivered practical innovations to support Costa Rica’s long-term water security.