Existing Wells and Water Uses
Finding a well on a property does not automatically mean that it provides a usable water source. First, we need to determine the type of well, how it was built, its regulatory status and its technical condition.
Not all wells are the same
Before considering a well as a water source, we need to establish how it was built, how it is used and its technical and regulatory status. A hand-dug well and a mechanically drilled well involve different conditions.
Hand-dug well
A manually excavated well, generally relatively shallow and with limited capacity, that may primarily serve a property's domestic needs.
- Manual construction
- Relatively shallow depth
- Usually limited capacity
- Rules depend on the intended use
Drilled well
A water intake constructed using drilling equipment to explore and extract groundwater. Its development must follow the applicable permit, technical documentation and administrative procedure.
- Prior drilling permit
- Authorized drilling contractor
- Final drilling report
- Pumping test and water concession, where applicable
What can we assess in a hand-dug well?
Hand-dug wells are regulated differently from mechanically drilled wells. Their evaluation should account for how they were constructed, their present use and whether they still meet the property's needs.
Location and characteristics
We can locate and characterize the intake, documenting its position, approximate depth and observed condition.
Water level and availability
We can inspect the water level and make a preliminary assessment of whether the well remains functional for its current use.
Suitability for intended use
Where relevant, water quality testing and a review of nearby potential pollution sources can be included.
Is it still used for domestic purposes?
If the intended use changes or the well is incorporated into another activity, we review the applicable regulatory status and any concession requirements.
A hand-dug well should not automatically be treated as a drilled well. We first identify the intake type and intended use, then determine whether assessment alone is sufficient or additional procedures are needed.
A drilled well starts with a permit, not with drilling
Mechanical drilling to explore or extract groundwater must follow a technical and administrative process that begins before the drilling rig arrives on the property.
Assess the site
We review the project, water demand, hydrogeological setting, nearby intakes and conditions that may affect the proposed location.
Obtain the permit
Drilling requires prior authorization and must be carried out by an authorized drilling contractor.
Drill and investigate
Drilling produces geological and hydraulic information that must be documented through the required reports and tests.
Obtain the water-use right
Permission to drill does not confer the right to extract and use water. Water use requires the applicable concession.
What happens if a well was drilled without a permit?
A mechanically drilled well built without the required prior authorization should not be viewed simply as an intake with unfinished paperwork.
Do not assume the water source is available
The physical existence of a well does not prove that its water use is authorized for the project.
Administrative action may follow
Unauthorized drilling may result in administrative consequences, and the Dirección de Agua may order the well sealed where the regulatory conditions apply.
Another solution may be necessary
If a project requires a water source, it may be necessary to investigate a new intake developed correctly from the outset.
Amnesties are an exception, not a strategy
At certain times Costa Rica has opened exceptional procedures for wells meeting specific conditions. These opportunities depend on special legislation and are limited in scope and duration.
Not the standard procedure
An amnesty exists because a special legal provision temporarily establishes an opportunity outside the normal process for developing a well.
Not every well qualifies
Each process specifies eligible beneficiaries, conditions, dates and requirements determining which intakes may qualify.
No guarantee of another amnesty
Drilling without a permit in anticipation of possible future regularization is not a reliable water-supply strategy for a project.
If you need a new well, develop it legally from the start
A new intake is a significant investment. Planning the site, obtaining the permit, coordinating drilling and completing subsequent studies helps avoid administrative problems that could compromise future water use.
Location
We assess initial site conditions and potential restrictions before choosing where to drill.
Permit
We prepare and manage the information needed to conduct drilling under the applicable procedure.
Technical oversight
Information obtained during drilling and later tests helps characterize the new intake.
Concession
Once the intake has been developed, the necessary steps continue to secure the right to use the water resource.
I have an existing legally authorized well
When an intake has a documented history, we can review its current status and determine whether it still suits the project or needs further studies, modifications or administrative procedures.
Well number and case file
We review the well registration number, case file and available technical history.
Authorized conditions
We check authorized flow, uses, beneficiary properties, validity and other granted conditions.
Who holds the water-use right?
A property sale or change in registration may require reviewing and updating the concession holder.
What can the well supply today?
Water levels, pumping, capacity, maintenance and current behavior may require a separate assessment.
What can we do with an existing legally authorized well?
A project may change after a well is built. Geo Costa Rica can help determine whether the intake, its concession and current conditions still meet its evolving needs.
Assess its supply capacity
We review water levels, well behavior and capacity through tests and studies appropriate to the intake.
Request an increase in authorized flow
When a project requires more water, we assess the technical justification and studies that may be needed to request a change in the concession's authorized flow.
Change the authorized use
A change of activity may require amending the conditions under which the water-use right was granted.
Review beneficiary parcels
Changes to property boundaries or configuration may require assessing the addition or removal of adjoining parcels under the authorized water-use conditions.
Transfer the concession
When ownership changes, we review the concession status and the steps needed to update its holder.
Extend the term
As a concession approaches expiry, we assess whether its conditions still apply and which procedure is needed to continue water use.
A well can also restrict how land is used
In addition to supplying water, an intake may impose restrictions on activities around it. Its location should therefore be considered in the overall property design.
The operational setback may extend up to 40 meters
For wells used to extract water, an operational setback is established within which only activities directly related to well extraction, distribution and maintenance may take place.
Study supporting a reduction in the operational setback
The operational setback around a well may be approved at a shorter distance if a study submitted to the Dirección de Agua technically demonstrates that the proposed activities within the requested setback will neither affect nor contaminate the aquifer.
Assess the well and aquifer
We review hydrogeological information, well construction, water levels and intake characteristics.
Assess proposed activities
We evaluate the proposed land uses within the setback and their potential relationship with the aquifer.
Support the application
We prepare the technical and scientific justification to request a shorter distance from the authority where site conditions allow.
Wells supplying a population require a different approach
A source intended to supply a population should not be assessed solely under the same criteria as a private intake. Protecting water quality and quantity becomes especially important.
Operational setback
For private water-use wells, the operational setback, surrounding activities and conditions specific to the intake must be assessed.
Broader source protection
For sources intended to supply drinking water, the Water Law establishes a protection perimeter of no less than 200 meters around intake sites. For wells supplying a population, the assessment must also consider hydrogeological conditions, nearby activities and technical criteria applicable to the source.
Can a well supply other properties?
A private concession may identify particular beneficiary properties, but this does not mean that a private well can freely become a water-supply system serving multiple independent users.
Beneficiary properties
A concession may specify the properties where the water will be used and, where applicable, adjustments involving neighboring parcels may be requested.
Shared self-supply
Where several units belong to a condominium, a specific administrative route exists for collective self-supply, with its own conditions for well location and use.
Supplying a population is a different legal arrangement
When the aim is to provide water service to multiple independent users, the applicable administrative framework and the involvement of an authorized operator must be assessed.
Technical studies related to wells
Depending on the question the project needs to answer, a well may require studies of its capacity, behavior, area of influence, connection to the aquifer or surrounding protection measures.
Pumping Test
Assesses the response of the well and aquifer during pumping and recovery.
View studyHydrogeological Study
Combines geology, water levels, flow and other information required to interpret the groundwater system.
View studyWell Radius of Influence
Analyzes the spatial extent of changes in water level associated with pumping.
Operational Setback Reduction Study
Provides technical support for a request to reduce the operational setback where hydrogeological conditions allow.
View studyBefore buying property with a well
A well may appear to be a significant advantage, but its value to a new project depends on its legal, technical and spatial conditions.
Is it actually authorized?
- Well registration number
- Drilling permit
- Existing case file
- Concession and validity
- Concession holder and authorized use
Can it serve the project I want to develop?
- Authorized flow and current capacity
- Water levels
- Condition of the intake
- Operational setback
- Relationship to the proposed design
Sealing the well can also be a solution
A well may be dry, collapsed, unauthorized, unused or in conflict with future development. In some situations, permanently closing the intake by sealing it may be the appropriate solution.
The well affects the design
An intake that is no longer needed may impose restrictions incompatible with the property's proposed use.
Dry, collapsed or unused well
Keeping an unserviceable intake may leave unnecessary infrastructure and a potential pathway into the subsurface.
Seal it properly
We can coordinate the technical work and documentation needed to close the intake and submit the required information to the Dirección de Agua.
Procedures relating to wells and concessions
A water intake may require different procedures, from initial construction to amendments, ownership changes, extensions of water-use rights or eventual closure.
Drilling Permit
The prior authorization process required to develop a new drilled well correctly.
Water Concession
Formalizes the right to use water under the authorized conditions.
Changes to the concession
Increases or reductions in authorized flow, changes in use or modifications to beneficiary properties.
Concession transfer
Procedure associated with a change of owner of the property where the water source is located.
Extension of the concession term
Allows continued water use to be requested where the applicable conditions remain satisfied.
Well Sealing
Technical and administrative procedure to permanently close an intake when applicable.
What is your well's situation?
You do not need to know the name of the study or procedure in advance. We can begin by identifying the existing intake and what you need to resolve.
I have a hand-dug well
We review its characteristics, use and particular circumstances.
See what we can assessI do not know whether my well has permits
We can start by checking records, the case file and available documentation.
Assess my wellThe well was drilled without a permit
We review its status before assuming it can be included in the project.
Understand the situationI want to drill legally
We start with the site assessment and applicable permit.
See Drilling PermitI need to know how much water it can produce
We assess the well response through a pumping test.
See Pumping TestI need to increase the authorized flow
We review the concession and necessary technical justification.
Ask about increasing flowI bought a property with a well
We review ownership, concession, capacity and restrictions.
Review water useI want to remove or seal the well
We assess the appropriate process for closing the intake.
See Well SealingThe well setback affects my project
We assess whether requesting a reduction of the operational setback is technically feasible.
See setback reductionFirst, let us establish what kind of well you have and its status
We can review the intake, its history, regulatory status, concession, capacity and relationship to the project to determine whether to keep using it, amend its authorization, study it, reduce its associated restrictions or seal it.
An existing well is not automatically an available water source. The right decision starts with understanding what is actually there.