Hurricane Mitch in October 1998 and the low pressure over Venezuela in December of 1999 stand as two grizzly reminders of the importance of forest cover and control of development within a watershed. With high slopes, watersheds cannot recharge their aquifers as fast as in shallower slopes. Although Costa Rica benefits from ample rainfall, the seasonality and demography can result in problems of water supply. Water supply is also an issue for the large agricultural sector, which can compound the problem through water contamination. Runoff from croplands can cause sediment pollution, in addition to contamination by agrochemicals and organic matter.
Many aquifers are also potentially at risk.
Examples will be given of some water supply and water quality issues, including some from Palo Verde and La Selva. Given the importance of watershed management and water supply and quality, water resources need to be managed in an integrated way from a watershed perspective. Unfortunately, Costa Rica is plagued by a whole host of governmental agencies which each have various jurisdictions over water resources. The result is often overlapping responsibilities and inefficiencies. Several issues involved in water resources management will be discussed.