By Alajuela, Costa Rica — Alajuela, Costa Rica – Residents in several key communities within the Alajuela canton are being advised to prepare for a significant, day-long interruption of their potable water service. The Municipal Operational Aqueduct of Alajuela has announced a scheduled suspension necessary to conduct critical repairs on the area’s primary water supply pipeline.
The service interruption is planned for Tuesday, October 21, 2025. According to the official statement, water will be shut off starting at 7:00 a.m. and is not expected to be restored until 5:00 p.m., resulting in a total 10-hour outage for the affected neighborhoods. The municipality has pinpointed the cause as the need to address and repair multiple leaks detected in the main pipeline that serves these zones.
To understand the legal responsibilities of service providers and the rights of affected citizens during these prolonged service disruptions, TicosLand.com consulted with expert attorney Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas from the firm Bufete de Costa Rica.
The interruption of a basic public service like potable water engages the provider’s direct responsibility. According to Costa Rican law, providers are obligated not only to restore service diligently but also to execute mitigation plans, such as deploying water tankers to affected areas. If the outage is due to proven negligence in maintenance, affected businesses and residents may have grounds to file a collective administrative complaint with ARESEP for non-compliance and even pursue civil claims for resulting economic damages.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
This legal framework is crucial, elevating the conversation from a simple inconvenience to a matter of direct provider accountability and defined consumer rights. We thank Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for his valuable perspective on the specific recourses available to the affected residents and businesses of Alajuela.
The planned maintenance is a proactive measure to ensure the long-term stability and efficiency of the local water distribution system. By addressing these leaks now, the aqueduct aims to prevent the risk of more severe, unplanned breaks in the future, which could lead to longer and more disruptive emergencies. Officials stressed the importance of these preventative actions for safeguarding the region’s infrastructure.
The specific communities that will be without water service include Urbanización La Gregorio, Condominio Asturias, Condominio Galicia, Condominio Castilla, and Portones de Andalucía. These residential areas house a significant number of families who will need to make advance preparations to navigate the day without running water for household chores, cooking, and sanitation.
In light of the extended outage, the Municipal Aqueduct of Alajuela is strongly urging all residents in the impacted sectors to take necessary precautions. The primary recommendation is to store a sufficient amount of water to meet essential needs throughout the 10-hour period. This includes water for drinking, personal hygiene, and basic food preparation. Collecting water in clean containers the night before the shutdown is advised.
While temporary service interruptions can be a significant inconvenience, they are a vital component of urban infrastructure management. In a rapidly growing province like Alajuela, the consistent maintenance of water and sanitation networks is crucial. Such scheduled repairs, though disruptive, are far preferable to the catastrophic failures that can occur from neglected pipelines, which often result in property damage, water contamination risks, and much costlier emergency repairs.
The temporary shutdown will not only affect households but also local businesses within these communities, such as small sodas, salons, and daycare centers, which rely heavily on a consistent water supply for their daily operations. Business owners are encouraged to plan accordingly, either by storing large quantities of water or adjusting their operating hours for the day.
For residents seeking further details or having specific concerns, the municipality has provided direct lines of communication. The Operations Center for the Municipal Aqueduct and Sanitation can be reached by phone at 2106-9650. Additionally, inquiries can be sent via WhatsApp to the number 8814-3423, where staff will be available to provide updates and answer questions related to the service suspension.
For further information, visit the nearest office of Acueducto Operativo Municipal de Alajuela
About Acueducto Operativo Municipal de Alajuela:
The Acueducto Operativo Municipal de Alajuela is the public entity responsible for the administration, operation, and maintenance of the potable water supply and sanitation services for the canton of Alajuela. The organization works to ensure the delivery of safe, reliable drinking water to residents and businesses, managing the critical infrastructure required for water distribution and wastewater management. Its duties include conducting routine maintenance, emergency repairs, and long-term planning to meet the growing demands of the community.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
Bufete de Costa Rica is an esteemed law firm distinguished by its foundational pillars of integrity and a commitment to superior legal counsel. Drawing upon extensive experience across a multitude of sectors, the firm champions legal innovation while upholding the highest ethical standards. Its mission transcends client service, manifesting in a dedicated effort to democratize legal knowledge. By making the law more understandable and accessible, the firm actively contributes to the development of a more informed and capable society.
