Several Costa Rica Beaches Have Lost the Ongoing Battle Against Contamination.

Eight popular beaches have lost the Bandera Azul Ecológica (BAE) certification. The Eco-Friendly Blue Flag is awarded to beaches, communities, schools, businesses and other organizations that pass a set of environmental requirements. Among these requirements are: the existence of a basic level of solid and liquid waste-management, water must be free of pollutants and drinkable water must be made available to visitors.

The beaches that lost their BAE certification are Arenilla, Ocotal, Pelada de Nosara, Tamarindo, Agujas, Dominical, Manzanillo (in Guanacaste) and Playa Negra (in Puerto Viejo, Limón). Most of these locations lost their accreditation due to the high levels of fecal matter found in the water. Tamarindo received the lowest rating of the group. On the opposite end of the spectrum, 59 beaches passed the test and will be able to fly the coveted flag. At the head of the “green” list is Playa Blanca, part of the privately-owned Punta Leona hotel and residential development near Jacó.

The 2007 BAE award ceremony was held yesterday in the city of Puntarenas. In addition to the 59 beaches that received the environmental award, 33 communities, 206 educational centers and 10 protected areas were also recognized. Among the attendants at the ceremony was President Oscar Arias and during the ceremony he asserted that “For good or bad, I am an environmental president. My hand will not hesitate to correct companies that disregard environmental laws and pollute our natural habitat.”

Early last month Manzanillo Beach in Liberia, Guanacaste, where the Allegro Papagayo Hotel is located, also lost its accreditation due to high levels of contamination in the water. At the time, the hotel did not have proper waste-water treatment plants and these polluted waters were being dumped directly into the sea. This situation forced the hotel to shut down until a solution to the problem was implemented. It has since been reopened to serve a limited capacity of guests. In relation to this situation, Rodrigo Arias, Costa Rica’s Minister of the Presidency commented, “This country makes itself known as an environmental paradise and situations like those found at that hotel cannot be permitted.”

The Root of the Issue?

The real estate boom that is currently occurring in many of Costa Rica’s beaches is largely to blame for the environmental problems. Historically, these areas had very small communities. Now, with the big growth, communities find they don’t have the necessary infrastructure to treat all the waste products generated by the new residents and visitors. The uncontrolled development places a strain on the already deficient infrastructure and a point is reached where the entire system breaks down. Although laws exist which require environmental impact studies for large developments and basic structures, local and national government agencies have been unable, or unwilling, to enforce the laws.

In an interview with La Nación, Darner Mora Alvarado, Executive Director of the BAE Program commented that “The flag serves as a guarantee that certain conditions exist at the beach, such as drinkable water. It is important, but it does not guarantee 100% that things are immaculate.” What he says is certainly true and it makes one reflect that the greatest part of the ecological responsibility lies in the hands of residents, visitors, local businesses and government. Every one of these members of the community needs to balance their lifestyle and economic needs with sustainable growth and the preservation of the natural beauty of Costa Rica. This is the real challenge.

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Filed under: Costa Rica News on March 26th, 2008