What we can do, starting now
It was like when I woke up today, someone had fixed the ocean. It was bright blue and the waves were peeling perfectly off of the new sandbars formed by the tremendous rains we experienced this season. Even after I surfed I watched the waves on the WRSC web cam while having breakfast. Check out this photo that I took of the Tempisque River this morning. Water levels rose above the bridge, which is estimated at 16 meters (over 50 feet). Everything was dumped out into the ocean via the region's many rivermouths and storm drains.
I can't let this water situation out of my mind. I want to make sure that nobody else does either. Tamarindo's water treatment concerns are not new, they are actually cyclical and repeat every September and October during the rainy season. It is unfortunate to witness the pattern of this issue getting forgotten as soon as the rains stop and tourism increases. It is our responsibility to make sure that we are not adding to the problem but instead trying to resolve it. I have been throughout Costa Rica during the rainy season and wave witnessed these same water treatment issues in Pavones, Marbella, Jaco, Mal Pais, Tamarindo, and everywhere in between. These problems are not location specific. It is as if people are surprised that their actions could be creating this environmental disaster, but we are witnessing this phenomenon in all aspects of life. It is time for the people of Tamarindo, and the rest of the world for that matter, to step up.
Understanding Tamarindo's water treatment concerns
1. AN OVERVIEW OF OUR SITUATION:
Costa Rica has experienced an exponential growth rate in recent years. The tourism and real estate development in the Guanacaste region has been fueled by the expansion of the Liberia Airport offering international flights among other things. Although statistics vary, it appears that the town of Tamarindo (and the local communities that surround it) has doubled in square footage in the last 2 years alone. With a serious lack of infrastructure to keep up with all of this growth, the result is an increase in urban runoff. Equally important is the fact that most of Tamarindo functions with septic tank systems, which generally don't work well for coastal communities.
The biggest issue for the Tamarindo community is the need for a communal water treatment facility. This need is amplified during the rainy season, when rainwater brings all forms of pollution to the ocean. Revenue from sales taxes, construction permits, business licenses, and so on apparently cannot provide a water treatment solution for the town (incredibly enough). The residents of this town must provide this support in order to make this happen. Sadly, this problem is not unique to Tamarindo and is quite common for many growing regions throughout the world today. Education and awareness of these growing concerns, along with information for what individuals can do to make a positive difference towards a cleaner ocean starting today, will ultimately solve the water treatment concerns for Tamarindo (and hopefully bring the community together in the process). Historically, however, most of Tamarindo's residents forget the town's water treatment issue as soon as the rains stop and the high season arrives.
2. THE PROBLEMS - No government dumping standards -
Few people ever consider what happens to their sewage once a septic truck pumps it into their truck and drives away. Apparently the government doesn't consider this either, as currently there does not seem to be a legal solution for these pumping companies. With no legal means to dispose of waste anywhere in Guanacaste, it is easy for pumping companies to dump raw sewage anywhere out of the public's view, ultimately returning to the watershed and out to the ocean.
- Septic tanks do not function in Tamarindo -
Few people take the time to understand the science behind septic tank systems. For a septic tank system to successfully function it is very important to have sufficient earth underground for the tank's drainage, in order to naturally break down sewage. Building 20 condos on 1000 square meters and placing the septic tank system under the condos is not how these systems function. Add to that the fact that the water table is only a few feet below the ground for most of Tamarindo, the result is a contamination of the ocean water. Most of Tamarindo has been built in close proximity to either the ocean or the estuary, and most of Tamarindo functions with septic tank systems to dispose of sewage. Existing constructions and new constructions must incorporate aerobic treatment systems (machines that use oxygen and bacteria to naturally break down sewage) and stop using the antiquated septic tank systems. The sad part is that the municipality approves construction permits throughout Tamarindo to be built with septic tanks instead of demanding the use of treatment plants.
- Uncontrolled development -
If you walk around Tamarindo, it becomes obvious that proper sanitation standards at construction sites are not being upheld. Nonexistent bathrooms for construction workers, building materials and chemicals spilling into the town's green zones and storm drains, and large developments being built without water treatment plants add to Tamarindo's water crisis. This problem is apparent not only in Tamarindo but in most developing nations.
- Lack of reliable water testing information -
The Blue Flag Report for Tamarindo is misleading. Water tests at storm drain points as opposed to open-ocean tests derive different results, as the water tested at storm drain outflows are pure urban runoff. According to local media, test results in October's local newspapers are actually test results from two months prior. According to one Tamarindo resident who was a member of the Blue Flag Committee, last rainy season when the water tests were similar to what they are this rainy season, Tamarindo was still granted the Blue Flag simply because the committee presented the appropriate paperwork. To a certain extent, the Blue Flag Report is just a marketing tool and not a reliable source for water testing results. Information gets further from the truth and people don't know what to believe. There is no standard for testing not only ocean water but water that is expelled from the few treatment plants that do exist in Tamarindo. What does this mean? It means that even if we get everyone in Tamarindo to use water treatment plants, unless there is accountability, treatment plants without proper maintenance will continue to pollute. There is a tremendous need for an unbiased inspection, testing, and reporting system to ensure reliable water testing information and standards.
- Large developers making friends with the government -
This pretty much speaks for itself. There will always exist the large corporation that values profits over environment everywhere you go. Corruption exists worldwide, not just in Tamarindo.
- Lack of community involvement -
Tamarindo is a town that seems to attract (unfortunately) many people with the sole purpose of making money. They are generally uninterested in the community's problems and assume that they will be solved by others. It is commonplace to point the blame at others and to talk about what the problems are without actually educating oneself or doing anything to solve them. This way of thinking needs to end. Sadly this isn't just a Tamarindo problem, but one that exists worldwide. Education, awareness and involvement will help solve this.
- No incentives for individuals/companies pushing to be green -
For a country that was made famous by it's environment, it is incredible to see how Costa Rica's bureaucratic processes create such a system that seems to contradict it. Costa Rica's inefficient government allows for it to be much easier to do something wrong than to do something right. Building permits for treatment plants and other private projects that are done for the improvement of the region need to be expedited and their owners rewarded.
3. THE SOLUTION
Blaming our inefficient government or our neighbors isn't going to solve anything. Positive actions will. In Jaco, the municipality does not renew it's annual business licenses unless the business/development has a water treatment plant installed. However harsh this may seem, it may be the quickest way to solving our water issues. We cannot wait for the government to build us a community treatment plant, we must do it ourselves. Invest in a system for your home or business. Meet with the neighboring properties around you and share the costs of a system between all of you. Go to the municipality and demand standards. Report those who are illegally dumping. Don't start Tamarumors. Stay positive and work together. Cut back on water consumption by outsourcing your laundry needs. Test the water yourself and find out what is really going on. Constantly educate yourself and those around you. Pick up trash, even if it isn't yours. Talk to anyone who is willing to listen. Get started now.
Please visit www.zephyrecoproject.com and get involved.
I can't let this water situation out of my mind. I want to make sure that nobody else does either. Tamarindo's water treatment concerns are not new, they are actually cyclical and repeat every September and October during the rainy season. It is unfortunate to witness the pattern of this issue getting forgotten as soon as the rains stop and tourism increases. It is our responsibility to make sure that we are not adding to the problem but instead trying to resolve it. I have been throughout Costa Rica during the rainy season and wave witnessed these same water treatment issues in Pavones, Marbella, Jaco, Mal Pais, Tamarindo, and everywhere in between. These problems are not location specific. It is as if people are surprised that their actions could be creating this environmental disaster, but we are witnessing this phenomenon in all aspects of life. It is time for the people of Tamarindo, and the rest of the world for that matter, to step up.Understanding Tamarindo's water treatment concerns
1. AN OVERVIEW OF OUR SITUATION:
Costa Rica has experienced an exponential growth rate in recent years. The tourism and real estate development in the Guanacaste region has been fueled by the expansion of the Liberia Airport offering international flights among other things. Although statistics vary, it appears that the town of Tamarindo (and the local communities that surround it) has doubled in square footage in the last 2 years alone. With a serious lack of infrastructure to keep up with all of this growth, the result is an increase in urban runoff. Equally important is the fact that most of Tamarindo functions with septic tank systems, which generally don't work well for coastal communities.
The biggest issue for the Tamarindo community is the need for a communal water treatment facility. This need is amplified during the rainy season, when rainwater brings all forms of pollution to the ocean. Revenue from sales taxes, construction permits, business licenses, and so on apparently cannot provide a water treatment solution for the town (incredibly enough). The residents of this town must provide this support in order to make this happen. Sadly, this problem is not unique to Tamarindo and is quite common for many growing regions throughout the world today. Education and awareness of these growing concerns, along with information for what individuals can do to make a positive difference towards a cleaner ocean starting today, will ultimately solve the water treatment concerns for Tamarindo (and hopefully bring the community together in the process). Historically, however, most of Tamarindo's residents forget the town's water treatment issue as soon as the rains stop and the high season arrives.
2. THE PROBLEMS - No government dumping standards -
Few people ever consider what happens to their sewage once a septic truck pumps it into their truck and drives away. Apparently the government doesn't consider this either, as currently there does not seem to be a legal solution for these pumping companies. With no legal means to dispose of waste anywhere in Guanacaste, it is easy for pumping companies to dump raw sewage anywhere out of the public's view, ultimately returning to the watershed and out to the ocean.
- Septic tanks do not function in Tamarindo -
Few people take the time to understand the science behind septic tank systems. For a septic tank system to successfully function it is very important to have sufficient earth underground for the tank's drainage, in order to naturally break down sewage. Building 20 condos on 1000 square meters and placing the septic tank system under the condos is not how these systems function. Add to that the fact that the water table is only a few feet below the ground for most of Tamarindo, the result is a contamination of the ocean water. Most of Tamarindo has been built in close proximity to either the ocean or the estuary, and most of Tamarindo functions with septic tank systems to dispose of sewage. Existing constructions and new constructions must incorporate aerobic treatment systems (machines that use oxygen and bacteria to naturally break down sewage) and stop using the antiquated septic tank systems. The sad part is that the municipality approves construction permits throughout Tamarindo to be built with septic tanks instead of demanding the use of treatment plants.
- Uncontrolled development -
If you walk around Tamarindo, it becomes obvious that proper sanitation standards at construction sites are not being upheld. Nonexistent bathrooms for construction workers, building materials and chemicals spilling into the town's green zones and storm drains, and large developments being built without water treatment plants add to Tamarindo's water crisis. This problem is apparent not only in Tamarindo but in most developing nations.
- Lack of reliable water testing information -
The Blue Flag Report for Tamarindo is misleading. Water tests at storm drain points as opposed to open-ocean tests derive different results, as the water tested at storm drain outflows are pure urban runoff. According to local media, test results in October's local newspapers are actually test results from two months prior. According to one Tamarindo resident who was a member of the Blue Flag Committee, last rainy season when the water tests were similar to what they are this rainy season, Tamarindo was still granted the Blue Flag simply because the committee presented the appropriate paperwork. To a certain extent, the Blue Flag Report is just a marketing tool and not a reliable source for water testing results. Information gets further from the truth and people don't know what to believe. There is no standard for testing not only ocean water but water that is expelled from the few treatment plants that do exist in Tamarindo. What does this mean? It means that even if we get everyone in Tamarindo to use water treatment plants, unless there is accountability, treatment plants without proper maintenance will continue to pollute. There is a tremendous need for an unbiased inspection, testing, and reporting system to ensure reliable water testing information and standards.
- Large developers making friends with the government -
This pretty much speaks for itself. There will always exist the large corporation that values profits over environment everywhere you go. Corruption exists worldwide, not just in Tamarindo.
- Lack of community involvement -
Tamarindo is a town that seems to attract (unfortunately) many people with the sole purpose of making money. They are generally uninterested in the community's problems and assume that they will be solved by others. It is commonplace to point the blame at others and to talk about what the problems are without actually educating oneself or doing anything to solve them. This way of thinking needs to end. Sadly this isn't just a Tamarindo problem, but one that exists worldwide. Education, awareness and involvement will help solve this.
- No incentives for individuals/companies pushing to be green -
For a country that was made famous by it's environment, it is incredible to see how Costa Rica's bureaucratic processes create such a system that seems to contradict it. Costa Rica's inefficient government allows for it to be much easier to do something wrong than to do something right. Building permits for treatment plants and other private projects that are done for the improvement of the region need to be expedited and their owners rewarded.
3. THE SOLUTION
Blaming our inefficient government or our neighbors isn't going to solve anything. Positive actions will. In Jaco, the municipality does not renew it's annual business licenses unless the business/development has a water treatment plant installed. However harsh this may seem, it may be the quickest way to solving our water issues. We cannot wait for the government to build us a community treatment plant, we must do it ourselves. Invest in a system for your home or business. Meet with the neighboring properties around you and share the costs of a system between all of you. Go to the municipality and demand standards. Report those who are illegally dumping. Don't start Tamarumors. Stay positive and work together. Cut back on water consumption by outsourcing your laundry needs. Test the water yourself and find out what is really going on. Constantly educate yourself and those around you. Pick up trash, even if it isn't yours. Talk to anyone who is willing to listen. Get started now.
Please visit www.zephyrecoproject.com and get involved.
posted by Joe Walsh at
2:40 PM
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