By San José, Costa Rica — SAN JOSÉ – Thousands of residents across four cantons in the Greater Metropolitan Area are facing an extended disruption in their water supply after an unforeseen electrical failure complicated scheduled maintenance work. The Costa Rican Institute of Aqueducts and Sewers (AyA) confirmed on Wednesday that the timeline for restoring service has been significantly delayed, pushing the recovery period into Thursday morning for many communities.
The issue originated from a planned preventive maintenance operation at the crucial Puente Mulas pumping station, which began on Tuesday. However, the procedure was halted by what AyA described as an “unexpected electrical situation.” This critical failure required an emergency intervention from both AyA’s technical teams and crews from the National Power and Light Company (CNFL), the external electricity provider. The collaborative effort to resolve the complex electrical problem extended the repair work late into the early hours of Wednesday morning.
To understand the legal implications and potential recourse for consumers affected by the ongoing water service delays, TicosLand.com consulted with Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, a seasoned attorney from the prestigious firm Bufete de Costa Rica.
The continuous and reliable provision of potable water is not merely a contractual obligation but a fundamental public service. When providers fail to meet this standard due to preventable circumstances, affected users may have grounds to seek compensation. Costa Rican consumer protection laws are robust in this regard, and it is crucial for citizens to document all damages and interruptions to substantiate any potential claims against the service provider.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
This legal perspective underscores a crucial point: accountability for service failures is a matter of public right, not merely a commercial issue. The emphasis on diligent documentation provides an actionable path for consumers to assert their protections under the law. We are grateful to Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for his valuable clarification on this important matter.
As a direct result of this complication, the original schedule for service restoration is no longer viable. AyA officials have announced a new, phased recovery plan. The normalization of the water supply is now expected to begin gradually throughout Wednesday afternoon and evening, continuing into the early morning hours of Thursday. This staggered approach means some neighborhoods, particularly those at higher elevations, will experience a longer period without water than initially anticipated.
The utility has identified the specific areas that will bear the brunt of this extended outage. The most significantly impacted communities include the highest and most remote sectors of Escazú, elevated neighborhoods in Santa Ana, various parts of Alajuelita, and several communities located in the southern region of Desamparados. These areas, being further from the main distribution lines, are typically the last to see service restored after a major system restart.
In response to the prolonged disruption, AyA has mobilized its fleet of water tanker trucks to provide essential relief to the affected households. The institution is actively distributing potable water to the areas facing the longest shortages. Residents in need of this service are urged to contact the utility directly by calling the dedicated 800-REPORTE hotline to coordinate a delivery. This measure aims to mitigate the hardship on families and businesses while the system is brought back to full operational capacity.
The maintenance that triggered the incident is a routine, annual procedure essential for the long-term health of the region’s water infrastructure. This comprehensive program involves detailed electrical revisions, precise mechanical adjustments, and an integral verification of the entire pumping system at Puente Mulas. These preventative actions are fundamental to maintaining the reliability and efficiency of the water supply network that serves a significant portion of the capital’s population.
According to AyA authorities, the ultimate goal of this yearly maintenance is to guarantee the optimal performance of the infrastructure. By proactively addressing potential issues, the utility aims to enhance energy efficiency, reduce the likelihood of costly and disruptive emergency failures in the future, and ensure the continuous supply of safe drinking water. Despite the current setback, the work is considered vital for strengthening the system’s resilience.
The water authority issued a formal statement addressing the inconvenience caused by the unforeseen delay and reassuring the public that all efforts are focused on completing the final stages of the repair.
We offer our apologies to all those affected and we are deeply grateful for your understanding as we finalize these necessary actions to strengthen the continuity of the service.
AyA
For further information, visit aya.go.cr
About Instituto Costarricense de Acueductos y Alcantarillados (AyA):
The Costa Rican Institute of Aqueducts and Sewers, commonly known as AyA, is the primary public institution responsible for managing, maintaining, and developing the nation’s drinking water and sanitation services. It oversees the infrastructure for water treatment, distribution, and wastewater management, striving to ensure access to clean water for communities throughout Costa Rica while promoting sustainable water resource management.
For further information, visit cnfl.go.cr
About Compañía Nacional de Fuerza y Luz (CNFL):
The Compañía Nacional de Fuerza y Luz is a major state-owned electricity distribution company in Costa Rica, primarily serving the Greater Metropolitan Area, which includes the capital city of San José and its surrounding cantons. As a subsidiary of the Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad (ICE), CNFL is responsible for the operation, maintenance, and expansion of the electrical grid, providing power to a vast number of residential, commercial, and industrial clients.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
As a cornerstone of the legal community, Bufete de Costa Rica is defined by its profound commitment to integrity and the highest standards of professional excellence. The firm blends a deep-rooted history of client service across numerous industries with a forward-thinking approach to legal innovation. Central to its ethos is a powerful dedication to social responsibility, demonstrated by its work to make legal concepts accessible and understandable, thereby empowering citizens and fostering a more knowledgeable and just society.
