Other Water Directorate Procedures
Geo Costa Rica can review cases involving water use, water bodies, wells, concessions and other matters before the MINAE Water Directorate in Costa Rica, identify which procedure applies, and provide technical assistance in preparing and following up on the application.
If you have received an official notice, have an old case file or simply do not know which procedure you need, we can begin by reviewing the circumstances before submitting an application.
Not sure which Water Directorate procedure you need?
Many cases begin as an issue affecting a property or project, rather than the name of an application form. We can start by understanding the situation.
“I have a well and do not know whether it is permitted”
We first verify its identification, history and records before deciding which procedure applies.
“I bought property with an existing concession”
We can check the holder, validity, source, flow, use and current conditions.
“I received an official notice but do not understand what they are asking for”
We review the document point by point and distinguish the required documents from any technical support needed.
“A spring appears on the map, but I cannot find it”
Maps, historical records and field verification can help determine the appropriate procedure.
“I need to change something but do not know which procedure to use”
We review the existing resolution and identify what has changed before preparing the application.
“I have an issue involving a watercourse and do not know which permit applies”
We first distinguish water body characterization, water use, impacts and physical works.
First check whether your situation falls under one of our main services
Water Well Drilling Permits
For projects requiring a new groundwater abstraction point.
View Drilling PermitsWater Use Concessions
To apply for authorized use of surface water or groundwater.
View Water ConcessionsWater Body Technical Determinations
When the existence, location or status of a water body must be officially clarified.
View Water Body DeterminationsPermits for Works in Watercourses
For certain works or interventions in rivers, streams and other watercourses.
View Watercourse Work PermitsWastewater Discharge Permits
For certain discharges of treated wastewater to receiving water bodies.
View Discharge PermitsWell Sealing Procedures
For technical and administrative closure of a water abstraction facility, when applicable.
View Well SealingManagement of Existing Water Concessions
Renewals, transfers, changes of use, flow adjustments and other amendments.
View Existing Water Concession ProceduresHydropower Water Concessions
To use the energy of water resources under the hydropower concession regime.
View Hydropower ConcessionsWater User Associations
For certain water uses shared among multiple users.
View Water User AssociationsOther Water Directorate procedures we can assess
The institution's catalogue includes additional procedures that do not currently warrant individual pages on Geo Costa Rica's website.
Rainwater Harvesting System
The Water Directorate has a specific procedure for registering rainwater harvesting systems. We can assist with geographic information, georeferenced diagrams and technical documentation.
Registration for Agricultural Drainage
Applies to certain discharges from drainage or agricultural land drainage systems into surface waters. Physical intervention in a watercourse, if any, is evaluated separately.
Piezometer Drilling
The Water Directorate provides a procedure for drilling intended to investigate and monitor groundwater.
Hand-Dug Well Concession
Hand-dug wells are addressed through a specific category within groundwater procedures. The type of existing abstraction must first be properly identified.
Special Certificate
The Water Directorate provides this procedure for certain files related to individual developments or condominiums while the water-use application is pending.
Pumping Equipment Notification
Once a groundwater concession has been granted, information about installed pumping equipment may need to be filed with the National Well Registry.
Temporary Water Abstraction
A specific procedure exists for certain temporary uses carried out by public bodies. Each case must be reviewed before assuming this route applies.
Official Statement on Concessions or Registrations
The Water Directorate allows formal requests for information about possible concessions or registrations associated with a property or defined area.
Complaints and Disputes
The Water Directorate has a complaint procedure. Geo Costa Rica can support the technical, mapping and territorial review when those aspects are relevant.
Is there already a file with the Water Directorate?
An old case file may hold the answer to much of the current problem. Before submitting a new application, it is worth reconstructing what was requested, what was decided and which conditions remain in force.
Have you received an official notice or request for additional information from the Water Directorate?
Geo Costa Rica can review the request point by point, identify what must be answered and coordinate the technical or documentary information needed.
Read the request
We examine exactly what the Water Directorate is requesting.
Separate the components
We distinguish documents, clarifications and technical needs.
Define the response
We organize the steps needed to address each point.
Prepare supporting information
We carry out or coordinate studies when necessary.
Submit the response
We integrate the documentation into the relevant procedure.
Follow up
We support subsequent stages within the contracted scope.
A requirement may be primarily documentary, technical or a combination of both
Administrative information
- Forms
- Signatures
- Certificates
- Survey plans
- Clarifications
- Missing documents
Information requiring assessment
- Hydrogeology
- Hydrology
- Flow measurements
- Pumping tests
- Mapping
- Water bodies
- Environmental assessment
- Other professional assessments
Completing a form is not always the right first step
Some situations first require a technical or territorial review to establish which problem we are trying to resolve.
Geo Costa Rica can combine case management with the technical evidence it actually needs
Our strength lies in combining institutional procedures with technical, territorial and environmental assessment, involving other specialists when a case calls for them.
How do we approach a case without a clearly defined procedure?
Initial consultation
The client explains the problem or shares the official document received.
Background
We review the case file, property and available documents.
Diagnosis
We identify the administrative or technical problem.
Procedure
We determine which procedure applies.
Supporting evidence
We identify the documents and studies genuinely needed.
Case management
We prepare and support the relevant application or response.
Additional requests
We address new information requests within the contracted scope.
Authority
The Water Directorate reviews and decides on the file.
Follow-up
We support later stages under the agreed services.
Case Files and Other Water Directorate Procedures
Which Water Directorate procedures can Geo Costa Rica handle?
Geo Costa Rica handles procedures involving well drilling, water concessions, water bodies, works in watercourses, wastewater discharges, well sealing, existing concessions, hydropower, Water User Associations and other case-specific procedures.
I do not know which Water Directorate procedure I need. Can Geo Costa Rica review my case?
Yes. Geo Costa Rica can review the circumstances, records, property and available documents to identify the applicable procedure before starting an application.
I received an official notice from the Water Directorate but do not understand what it requests. Can you help?
Yes. We can review the notice point by point, identify the requested documents or studies, and organize a strategy to meet the requirement.
Can Geo Costa Rica review an existing case file?
Yes. We can review historical records, resolutions and current conditions to establish what was requested, what was authorized and which procedure may now be needed.
Can you help me respond to a Water Directorate request for additional information?
Yes. Geo Costa Rica can analyze the request, distinguish administrative and technical components, prepare or coordinate the required information and support its submission.
What if the request requires a technical study?
Geo Costa Rica can conduct or coordinate studies within our fields, including hydrogeology, water resources, mapping, hydrology and environmental assessment, involving other specialists when necessary.
I have an old well and do not know which procedure applies. What should I do?
First, identify the well and review its records and history. Depending on the findings, a concession application, water-use review, well sealing or another procedure may be appropriate.
I bought property with an existing concession or case file. Can you review it?
Yes. We can check the recorded holder, validity, source, flow, use and conditions and compare them with the property's present situation.
Can Geo Costa Rica carry out the technical studies as well as the application?
Yes, when the studies fall within Geo Costa Rica's areas of technical expertise. We can also coordinate professionals from other disciplines when the file requires them.
Can I submit a Water Directorate application myself?
Many procedures can be initiated directly by the interested party through the institutional platform, provided the applicable requirements are met. Professional assistance is especially useful when technical studies, older files, additional information requests or complex circumstances are involved.
Does Geo Costa Rica guarantee approval of the application?
No. Geo Costa Rica can prepare, document and technically support the application, but assessment and the final decision rest with the Water Directorate and other competent authorities.
What if my case is not listed among the main procedures?
You can share the file, official notice or a description of the situation. Geo Costa Rica can check the current catalogue, identify the appropriate category and determine whether a special procedure or correspondence within an existing file is required.
Studies that can support a Water Directorate procedure
Not sure which procedure you need, or received a request from the Water Directorate?
Send us the official notice, case file or a description of the circumstances. We can begin by reviewing what already exists, what the authority requests and what the next step should be.
Share the documents you already have
- Official notice or request for additional information
- Case file number, if known
- Existing resolution or concession
- Cadastral survey plan
- Project location
- Available photographs, maps or previous records
- Description of the issue you need to resolve