Exploitation Crisis on the Groundwater Sources from the Colima and Barva Aquifers, Central Valley of Costa Rica

According to national water well database of SENARA, in 2007 groundwater extraction through springs and wells intersecting the Barva and Colima Aquifers was 98866 liters per second. Now a days, the main water uses is Costa Rica are: 62.1% water supply, 30.7% industry, 5.6% agriculture and 1.6% tourism. Groundwater recharge was calculated in 9720 liters per second, considering that groundwater discharge through springs and wells is 9866 liters per second, the aquifer is under water stress. Furthermore the impact of a climate change was also considered in this study, then if groundwater recharge decreases in 15%, aquifers will not support the actual exploitation rate. 

Previous studies at the Gran Area Metropolitana (GAM) of the Central Valley, determined that GAM´s population will require 10780 liters per second to support the water demand in 2015. Right now, water demand is 7567 l/s and it is supplied by the Orosi project (surface water 3237 l/s) and groundwater 4330 l/s, estimations indicate that there would be a deficit of 3213 l/s in 2015.

Adding a potential groundwater recharge of 9720 liters per second to 3237 liters per second coming from the surface waters, there are 12957 liters per second, amount enough to supply 3 057 405 habitants in 2015, although the grow of the others sectors such as industry, tourism and agriculture was not considered on this projection, it should be incorporated in the future.