AyA Water and Sewerage Procedures for Projects and Businesses in Costa Rica
Geo Costa Rica assesses the project's or business's conditions, prepares the necessary technical and spatial information, and manages procedures related to water and sewer service availability, sanitation, and wastewater discharge before AyA.
What does your project need to resolve with AyA?
These procedures address different issues. A service availability application, a sanitary sewer exemption, and a discharge authorization apply to different technical circumstances.
Can AyA provide water and sewer services?
The first step may be to determine whether the required services are available for the proposed development.
Is a sanitary sewer connection unavailable?
Certain residential developments may need to assess whether they qualify for a sanitary sewer exemption through AyA.
Does it discharge wastewater into the sewer system?
A commercial, industrial, or other establishment may need an authorization to discharge into the sanitary sewer system operated by AyA.
Procedures managed by Geo Costa Rica before AyA
Each procedure addresses a different need and requires specific technical information about the project or establishment.
AyA Water and Sewer Service Availability
We review the proposed development, its water demand, and its characteristics to prepare the service availability request and subsequently evaluate AyA's response.
Sanitary Sewer Exemption
We carry out the hydrogeological studies, contaminant transport assessments, and infiltration tests needed to technically support an application when the project may qualify for this procedure.
Wastewater Discharge Permit to Sanitary Sewer
We characterize the activity, identify its discharges, review pretreatment and infrastructure, and assemble the technical file for submission to AyA.
AyA Water and Sewer Service Availability
Knowing whether AyA can serve a development is essential for planning. However, an unfavorable response does not always mean the same thing.
Geo Costa Rica reviews the development's location, characteristics, and demand to prepare an application consistent with the project actually proposed.
- Project characteristics and intended use.
- Number of units and development phases.
- Projected water demand.
- Sewerage conditions.
- Property and site information.
- Application management and follow-up with AyA.
- Interpretation of the official response.
Sanitary Sewer Exemption through AyA
Certain residential developments may qualify for an exemption procedure if they meet the applicable regulatory and technical conditions.
Hydrogeology
We examine subsurface conditions, aquifer units, groundwater levels, flow direction, and sensitive hydrogeological receptors.
Contaminant transport
We assess the potential pathway and travel time from the disposal system to water resources.
Infiltration testing
We characterize soil infiltration behavior in the areas proposed for treated effluent disposal.
Wastewater Discharge Permit through AyA
Commercial, industrial, and service establishments may generate wastewater that must be characterized before entering AyA's sanitary sewer system.
Before recommending treatment or preparing the application, we determine what wastewater the activity actually generates, where it originates, and how it reaches the sanitary sewer.
- Activities and processes that use water.
- Water supply sources and consumption.
- Domestic and non-domestic wastewater.
- Wastewater generation points.
- Existing pretreatment.
- Internal sewer network.
- Discharge point to the sewer system.
How does Geo Costa Rica support AyA procedures?
Our work goes beyond submitting forms. We first understand the development, then build the corresponding technical application.
What does Geo Costa Rica do, and what does AyA do?
Geo Costa Rica prepares and manages the technical application. AyA carries out the institutional review and issues decisions within its legal authority.
Technical preparation and support
- We assess the case.
- We review the project.
- We conduct studies within our scope of services.
- We compile mapping and documentation.
- We manage the application file.
- We provide technical follow-up.
Institutional assessment and decision
- Receives applications.
- Verifies applicable requirements.
- Reviews the information submitted.
- Issues technical findings and requests for additional information when necessary.
- Issues official certificates, permits, or decisions.
Geo Costa Rica does not issue AyA certificates, permits, or exemptions. Our role is to prepare the technical application and assist the client throughout the procedure.
AyA, the Water Directorate, SENARA, and the Ministry of Health have different responsibilities
Identifying the competent authority helps avoid pursuing a procedure unrelated to the project's actual requirements.
Water use and discharges
Its responsibilities include water concessions, well drilling, works in watercourses, and wastewater discharge permits, among others.
Hydrogeological assessments
Participates in groundwater protection and hydrogeological assessment procedures within its legal authority.
Public health regulations
Certain activities and wastewater systems must also comply with health regulations and operational monitoring requirements.
What information do we need to advise you?
You do not need a complete application file to request an initial assessment of your case.
Location
- Cadastral survey plan.
- Property location.
- Approximate site area.
What you plan to develop
- Proposed land use or activity.
- Available design documents.
- Number of units.
- Planned phases.
What AyA has communicated
- Existing availability certificates.
- Official letters received.
- Requests for additional information.
- Previous studies.
How does an AyA procedure begin?
We first determine the client's actual needs, then identify the corresponding procedure, studies, and documentation.
Frequently Asked Questions about AyA Procedures
Quick answers to help identify the procedure that may apply to your development or establishment.
Which AyA procedures can Geo Costa Rica manage?
Geo Costa Rica manages procedures related to drinking water and sewer service availability, sanitary sewer exemptions, and wastewater discharge permits, according to the project's needs.
Does Geo Costa Rica issue AyA permits or certificates?
No. Geo Costa Rica prepares information and studies, assembles the application, and follows up. AyA carries out the institutional review and issues the corresponding document.
What procedure do I need to determine whether my development has water service?
If AyA operates the local service, an AyA Water and Sewer Service Availability application may be appropriate.
What happens if AyA denies service availability?
The reasons for the response should be assessed. Capacity, infrastructure, sewerage, or other constraints may require a different technical approach.
When can a sanitary sewer exemption apply?
Certain residential developments without available sanitary sewer connections may consider this route, provided they meet all applicable legal and technical requirements.
What procedure applies if my business discharges into a sewer?
Depending on the activity and wastewater generated, an AyA Wastewater Discharge Permit to Sanitary Sewer may be required.
Do AyA and the Water Directorate handle the same procedures?
No. AyA operates and administers certain drinking water and sewerage services, while the MINAE Water Directorate has separate responsibilities for water resource use and other procedures.
What information can I send for an initial review?
A cadastral plan, property location, description of the proposed development or activity, available plans, and any certificate, official correspondence, or request received from AyA are sufficient to begin the review.
Not sure which AyA procedure your project requires?
We can assess the location, project characteristics, existing service availability, sewerage conditions, and any documents received to identify the appropriate route.
Send us the information you have. You do not need a complete application file for an initial review.