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Water Directorate Procedures · MINAE

Management of Existing Water Concessions

Geo Costa Rica handles procedures for water concessions already granted by the MINAE Water Directorate in Costa Rica, including renewals, increases or reductions in authorized flow, transfers, changes of holder, changes in water use, amendments and other updates to existing concessions.

Review my concession Explore available procedures
Review File, validity, holder, source, authorized flow and water use
Assess Identify what has changed and which procedure applies
Manage Technical support, applications and follow-up with the Water Directorate
Establish the starting point first

If you already have a concession, you may not need to submit a new application

A water concession may require administrative procedures throughout its term. Expiration, a property sale, a change in activity or new demand may make it necessary to review the currently authorized conditions.

No concession exists

New Water Concession

If no water-use right has yet been granted, a new water concession application may be necessary.

View Water Concessions
A concession already exists

Managing an existing concession

If the water-use right has already been granted, we first review the resolution to determine whether renewal, transfer, change of use, flow adjustment or another amendment is required.

A new concession and an amendment to an existing concession are different matters. Geo Costa Rica first verifies which water-use right exists and what has changed since it was granted.
Concession approaching expiration

Water Concession Renewal

If a concession is nearing expiration and water use will continue, it is advisable to check whether the source, holder, flow, use and other conditions still match those originally granted.

The main question

“My water concession is about to expire. How do I renew it?”

The Water Directorate has an application procedure for expiration of the authorized term to extend a concession when continued use is intended under the same originally granted conditions.

If current conditions no longer match the existing resolution, an additional concession procedure may also need to be considered.

Before renewing
  • Validity and existing resolution
  • Current holder
  • Water source
  • Authorized flow
  • Authorized use
  • Benefited properties
  • Specific conditions
  • Current water-use conditions
Renewal means continuing the conditions; amendment means a condition has changed. A preliminary review therefore avoids trying to use renewal to address a change that requires another procedure.
When demand changes

Increasing or reducing a concession's authorized flow

Project expansion can increase water needs, while a change in activity may reduce them. The authorized flow should be reviewed against the current water-use conditions.

Flow increase

“My project has grown and the current concession is no longer sufficient”

Before requesting more water, we need to compare current demand with the source's capacity and availability and determine the required technical evidence.

Needing more water does not prove that the source can supply more water. The application must consider demand, availability, authorized conditions and source characteristics.
Flow reduction

“I no longer need the full authorized flow”

When current needs are lower than the concession conditions, a reduction in authorized flow may be requested through the appropriate procedure.

There is no single technical procedure

Increasing flow from a well is assessed differently from increasing abstraction from a surface-water source

Groundwater

Wells

Assessing an increase may require reviewing well performance, water levels, previous pumping data, aquifer characteristics and new demand.

Regulations allow the Water Directorate to request a new pumping test when an increase in authorized flow is sought.

View Pumping Tests
Surface water

Springs, rivers and streams

The assessment may need to consider available flow, source variability, current demand and the history of water use.

For surface water, increasing flow or adding sources follows a broader procedure than an ordinary administrative amendment.

View River and Spring Flow Measurements
When the owner changes

Water Concession Transfer and Change of Holder

Buying property with a water concession should not be interpreted as an automatic transfer of the registered concession holder in the Water Directorate's records.

Common question

“I bought a property, but the concession is still registered to the previous owner”

Before requesting a transfer, it is advisable to verify the concession's existence, validity, current holder, source, flow, authorized use and other relevant conditions.

We review
  • Concession resolution
  • Registered holder
  • Benefited property
  • Validity
  • Source
  • Flow
  • Authorized use
  • Current project conditions
Transfers and renewals address different questions. A transfer addresses a change in who holds the water-use right; renewal addresses expiration of the concession term.
When the activity changes

Change of Use for a Water Concession

A concession granted for a particular use should not automatically be assumed suitable for a different activity. When the project changes, the authorized use should be compared with the new needs.

Change of use

The purpose changes

For example, water use may shift from a previous activity to domestic, agricultural, tourism, commercial, industrial or another applicable use.

Extension of use

An additional purpose is introduced

Regulations also provide for extending authorized uses when another purpose is added to an existing water-use right.

Flow rate

Is the quantity still sufficient?

A change in activity can also alter demand. Change of use and increased flow should therefore be assessed as separate questions.

Change of use ≠ flow increase. An activity may change without needing more water, or it may require both a change of use and assessment of a new flow rate.
The concession must reflect actual water use

Other Amendments to a Water Concession

If current conditions no longer match those recorded in the concession, the appropriate administrative or technical amendment should be identified.

01
Change of abstraction point When the location of the authorized water intake changes.
02
Change in period of use When the timing or seasonality of water use changes.
03
Addition of benefited land When additional benefited properties are included, as applicable.
04
Removal of sources When a source ceases to form part of the water-use arrangement.
05
Change of company name A procedure distinct from transferring a concession after a property sale.
06
Division of concession May apply when a benefited property is subdivided.
Not every amendment is merely documentary. Some changes may require additional technical assessment before the Water Directorate decides on the application.
Not every change alters the water use

Updating Concession Records

Updating contact information or details needed for notifications differs from changing the flow, use, source or substantive conditions of a concession.

Administrative

Update of records

May include contact and notification information associated with the case file.

Substantive

Concession amendment

Involves changes to the conditions under which the water resource is used.

Before completing a form

First we establish which concession exists and what changed

Geo Costa Rica can undertake a technical and administrative review of an existing concession before recommending renewal, amendment, transfer or flow adjustment.

01
Case file Available history and documentation.
02
Validity Term and current status of the water use.
03
Holder Individual or legal entity associated with the right.
04
Source Well, spring, river, stream or another authorized source.
05
Authorized flow Quantity currently granted.
06
Authorized use Purpose recorded for the water use.
07
Location Property, water intake and related geographical features.
08
Current conditions How the resource is actually used today.
Review first; apply second. A structured review avoids applying for renewal when an amendment is needed, filing a new application when a concession already exists, or requesting a change that does not address the project's actual problem.
When an amendment needs supporting evidence

Not all amendments require the same technical studies

Supporting evidence depends on the source, requested change, existing information and technical question that the file must address.

Well

Pumping Test

Can provide information on well performance when assessing its capacity against new demand.

View Pumping Tests
Surface-water source

River and Spring Flow Measurements

Measures the flow of a surface-water source under specific conditions.

View Flow Measurements
Aquifer

Hydrogeological Study

Provides a deeper understanding of the aquifer system when an amendment requires better knowledge of groundwater conditions.

View Hydrogeological Studies
We do not add studies as a routine requirement. First we identify which concession condition needs to change and what technical information is required to support it.
From an existing concession to the correct procedure

How do we approach a concession amendment?

01

Initial consultation

We establish what has changed in the project.

02

Documents

We gather the resolution, case file and available records.

03

Assessment

We determine the appropriate procedure.

04

Supporting evidence

We identify necessary studies or additional information.

05

Preparation

We organize the technical and administrative documentation.

06

Application

We submit the request to the Water Directorate.

07

Additional requirements

We address clarification requests or additional information.

08

Evaluation

The Water Directorate assesses the relevant request.

09

Follow-up

We support the case through the contracted stage.

Before buying or depending on the water supply

A property with a water concession should be assessed before assuming it may be used under the same conditions

A property may have a well, spring or intake that appears valuable, but the new owner needs to establish which water-use right exists and whether it matches the intended development.

01
Holder Whose name is it currently registered under?
02
Validity Is the concession still valid?
03
Source Which well, spring or intake is authorized?
04
Flow How much water is authorized?
05
Use For which activity may it be used?
06
New project Do those conditions match the new needs?
Existing Wells and Water Use Environmental Feasibility of Land
More than changing a form

Geo Costa Rica connects the case file with actual water-use conditions

Our service combines administrative review, water-resource management, hydrogeology, mapping and technical studies to determine what an existing concession actually requires before filing a request.

01
Case file We reconstruct the history and authorized conditions.
02
Territory We relate the source, properties and project.
03
Demand We review how much water the project currently requires.
04
Source We assess available information about its capacity.
05
Studies We undertake or coordinate the appropriate supporting work.
06
Application management We prepare the Water Directorate application.
07
Additional requirements We integrate the necessary technical responses.
08
Follow-up We support the file throughout its processing.
Administrative management + water resources + hydrogeology + mapping + follow-up. The goal is to submit the appropriate request with the evidence the case actually needs.
When the Water Directorate requests additional information

Have you received a request for additional information about your concession?

Geo Costa Rica can review the request and coordinate the technical or administrative information needed to respond within the contracted scope.

Documentation

Records and supporting information from the file.

Measurements

Flow measurements, levels or tests, as applicable.

Justification

Demand, flow or changes to the project.

Mapping

Location of sources, properties and water use.

Review an information request
Frequently Asked Questions

Renewals and Amendments of Water Concessions in Costa Rica

What does managing an existing water concession involve?

These are procedures concerning a water concession that has already been granted, such as renewal, transfer, change of use, flow adjustments and other amendments before the Water Directorate.

Which procedures can Geo Costa Rica handle for an existing concession?

Geo Costa Rica handles renewals, increases and reductions in flow, transfers, changes of holder, changes and extensions of use, amendments to conditions, updates to records and other applicable Water Directorate procedures.

My water concession is approaching expiration. How do I renew it?

First, review the resolution and confirm that the water use will continue under the same granted conditions. The Water Directorate has a specific application for expiration of the concession term.

Who can manage the renewal of a water concession before the Water Directorate?

Geo Costa Rica can review the case file and current conditions, prepare the renewal application and support follow-up before the Water Directorate.

I need more water than my concession allows. Can I increase the flow?

An increase can be assessed, but it is not automatic. New demand must first be compared with source availability and capacity, and the applicable procedure determined.

My project has expanded and the current concession is insufficient. What procedure do I need?

First, assess how demand has increased and whether the source can meet it. The administrative procedure and supporting evidence may differ for surface water and groundwater.

What studies may be required to request an increase in authorized flow?

The supporting evidence depends on the source. Wells may require pumping and hydrogeological information; surface-water sources may require flow measurements, availability assessments, demand calculations and previous records.

I bought a property but the concession remains in the previous owner's name. How do I transfer it?

The existing concession should be reviewed and a transfer requested from the Water Directorate when applicable. Buying the property does not replace this administrative update.

Does purchasing the property automatically change the concession holder?

This should not be assumed. The Water Directorate provides a specific transfer procedure when ownership of the property associated with water use changes.

What is a water concession transfer?

It is the procedure for updating the holder of a concession when ownership of the property associated with the water use changes.

My concession was granted for a different use. How can I change it?

A change-of-use application may be appropriate. First compare the authorized activity with the proposed activity and determine whether water demand has also changed.

What is the difference between changing water use and increasing the flow?

A change of use alters the purpose of water use. A flow increase changes the quantity requested. A project may need either change or both.

Can I renew a concession while also changing the flow or authorized use?

A renewal should not be assumed to cover these changes automatically. Renewal upon expiration is intended for continued use under the same conditions; when water use also changes, any additional procedure must be assessed.

How can I tell whether my concession is still valid?

Review the resolution, granted term and case file. Geo Costa Rica can organize those records and verify the status before recommending a procedure.

I have a well but cannot find the concession documents. What should I do?

The owner's lack of documents does not, by itself, establish that no institutional records exist. First identify the well, review the records and reconstruct its technical and administrative status.

Can Geo Costa Rica review my file first and tell me which procedure I need?

Yes. Geo Costa Rica can review the existing concession, holder, validity, source, flow, use and conditions to identify what has changed and recommend the appropriate Water Directorate procedure.

What is your situation?

The next step depends on the current conditions of water use

Existing Water Concessions · Costa Rica

Is your concession about to expire, or do its current conditions no longer match what was authorized?

We can start by reviewing the resolution and existing file to determine whether renewal, transfer, change of use, flow adjustment or another Water Directorate procedure is needed.

To get started

Send us the documents you already have

You do not need to identify the correct form beforehand. We can start by reviewing your existing concession.

  • Concession resolution
  • Case file number, if known
  • Property location
  • Water source information
  • Current use and flow
  • Description of what changed in the project
  • Official request or notice received, if any
Review my concession