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Res. 12084-2021 Sala Constitucional · Sala Constitucional · 28/05/2021
OutcomeResultado
The amparo is denied because it concerns technical and ordinary legality matters outside the scope of the summary constitutional proceeding, without prejudice to ordering the ICAA to assist the ASADA in overcoming the deficit zone status.Se declara sin lugar el recurso de amparo por versar sobre cuestiones técnicas y de legalidad ordinaria, ajenas al proceso sumario constitucional, sin perjuicio de ordenar al ICAA coadyuvar a la ASADA para superar la condición de zona deficitaria.
SummaryResumen
The Constitutional Chamber denied an amparo action filed by the Playa Grande rural water association (ASADA) against the Costa Rican Water and Sewer Institute (ICAA) over the declaration of a deficit zone and the suspension of new water availability certificates. The petitioner argued a threat to the fundamental right of access to water, alleging unfounded restrictions and lack of due process. The Chamber found that the core dispute involved technical and ordinary legality issues — such as the sufficiency of pump tests and the system's real water capacity — that fall outside the summary amparo proceeding's scope and belong in the ordinary administrative jurisdiction. It also noted that current service was not halted; only future connections were restricted. However, the Chamber ordered the ICAA to assist the ASADA in resolving the water deficit and lifting the declaration within a reasonable time, invoking the human right to water enshrined in Article 50 of the Constitution.La Sala Constitucional declaró sin lugar un recurso de amparo interpuesto por la ASADA de Playa Grande contra el Instituto Costarricense de Acueductos y Alcantarillados (ICAA) por la declaratoria de zona deficitaria y la suspensión del otorgamiento de nuevas constancias de disponibilidad de agua potable y capacidad hídrica. La recurrente alegó amenaza al derecho fundamental de acceso al agua, por restricciones no fundamentadas y sin debido proceso. La Sala determinó que la controversia giraba en torno a cuestiones técnicas y de legalidad ordinaria —como la suficiencia de pruebas de bombeo y la capacidad hídrica real del acueducto— que no corresponden al ámbito sumario del amparo, sino a la jurisdicción contencioso-administrativa. Además, constató que el servicio actual no fue suspendido, limitándose la restricción a nuevas conexiones futuras. No obstante, ordenó al ICAA coadyuvar con la ASADA para solventar el problema de faltante de agua y levantar la declaratoria en un plazo razonable, invocando el derecho humano al agua reconocido en el artículo 50 constitucional.
Key excerptExtracto clave
It is improper to entertain disagreement with such declaration, because this Chamber is not a controller of the legality of the Administration's actions or resolutions; it is not its role to review whether, under applicable infra-constitutional rules, the order declaring the Playa Grande aqueduct coverage area a deficit zone is proper or not, given that it is deemed not to have proven water capacity to cover future new services, much less whether new water service availabilities should be granted as demanded, since these are matters of ordinary legality. It is noted that the amparo proceeding is, essentially, a summary process. Consequently, when it is necessary to review various administrative actions —procedures and formal acts that translate and materialize in an administrative file— the matter ceases to be suitable for amparo, and one must resort to a plenary jurisdictional process, which can only be substantiated before the ordinary jurisdiction.Es improcedente conocer la inconformidad por tal declaratoria, pues esta Sala no es un contralor de la legalidad de las actuaciones o resoluciones de la Administración, de modo que no le compete revisar si procede o no, de conformidad con la normativa infraconstitucional vigente, la orden emanada de considerar la zona de cobertura del acueducto de Playa Grande como zona deficitaria, ya que se estima que no cuenta con capacidad hídrica comprobada para dar cobertura a futuros nuevos servicios, mucho menos si corresponde otorgar disponibilidad de nuevos servicios de agua potable como se demanda, pues se trata de cuestiones de legalidad común. Se advierte que el recurso de amparo es, esencialmente, un proceso sumario. Consecuentemente, cuando es menester revisar diversas actuaciones administrativas –procedimientos y actos formales que se traducen y materializan en un expediente administrativo– el asunto deja de ser materia del amparo, por cuanto, debe acudirse a un proceso de cognición plenaria, sea un proceso de conocimiento pleno, que solo es posible sustanciarlo ante la jurisdicción ordinaria.
Pull quotesCitas destacadas
"El amparo no está diseñado para contrastar o revisar criterios técnicos o jurídicos vertidos a la luz del ordenamiento jurídico infraconstitucional o para evacuar nuevos elementos de convicción para contrastar los existentes."
"The amparo is not designed to contrast or review technical or legal criteria issued under infra-constitutional law or to evacuate new evidentiary elements to contrast existing ones."
Considerando IV
"El amparo no está diseñado para contrastar o revisar criterios técnicos o jurídicos vertidos a la luz del ordenamiento jurídico infraconstitucional o para evacuar nuevos elementos de convicción para contrastar los existentes."
Considerando IV
"Deberán las autoridades del ICAA tomar las medidas pertinentes a fin de coadyuvar a la ASADA de Playa Grande en el proceso que iniciaron para solventar un futuro problema de faltante de agua."
"The ICAA authorities must take the pertinent measures to assist the Playa Grande ASADA in the process they began to solve a future water shortage problem."
Considerando V
"Deberán las autoridades del ICAA tomar las medidas pertinentes a fin de coadyuvar a la ASADA de Playa Grande en el proceso que iniciaron para solventar un futuro problema de faltante de agua."
Considerando V
"Toda persona tiene el derecho humano, básico e irrenunciable de acceso al agua potable, como bien esencial para la vida. El agua es un bien de la nación, indispensable para proteger tal derecho humano."
"Every person has the human, basic, and inalienable right of access to potable water, as an essential good for life. Water is a national good, indispensable to protect such human right."
Artículo 50 constitucional (reformado por Ley 9849)
"Toda persona tiene el derecho humano, básico e irrenunciable de acceso al agua potable, como bien esencial para la vida. El agua es un bien de la nación, indispensable para proteger tal derecho humano."
Artículo 50 constitucional (reformado por Ley 9849)
Full documentDocumento completo
Date of Resolution: 08:30 on May 28, 2021 Type of case: Amparo action Constitutional control: Dismissive ruling Judgment with protected data, in accordance with current regulations Content of Interest:
Content type: Majority vote Branch of Law: 4. MATTERS OF GUARANTEE Topic: PUBLIC SERVICES Subtopics:
DRINKING WATER.
012084-21. IN THE FACE OF THE SUSPENSION OF NEW DRINKING WATER SERVICES AND REGARDING THE STATUS OF A DEFICITARY ZONE WITH RESPECT TO WATER AVAILABILITY IN PLAYA GRANDE, IT IS INDICATED THAT THE ICAA AUTHORITIES MUST ASSIST THE ASADA IN THE PROCESS OF RESOLVING THE FUTURE PROBLEM OF WATER SHORTAGE IN THE LOCATION. THE ACTION IS DECLARED WITHOUT MERIT.
One of the most relevant public services is the supply of drinking water, since its relationship with the protection of the right to health and life of individuals is unquestionable. Thus, there is an obligation on the part of the State to guarantee the purity of the liquid for human consumption, as well as the continuity of its supply, as essential elements of the provision of the public service, all with the purpose of protecting the integrity of the users.
LBH07/21 ... See more Content of Interest:
Content type: Majority vote Branch of Law: 4. MATTERS OF GUARANTEE Topic: PUBLIC SERVICES Subtopics:
SUSPENSION.
012084-21. IN THE FACE OF THE SUSPENSION OF NEW DRINKING WATER SERVICES AND REGARDING THE STATUS OF A DEFICITARY ZONE WITH RESPECT TO WATER AVAILABILITY IN PLAYA GRANDE, IT IS INDICATED THAT THE ICAA AUTHORITIES MUST ASSIST THE ASADA IN THE PROCESS OF RESOLVING THE FUTURE PROBLEM OF WATER SHORTAGE IN THE LOCATION. THE ACTION IS DECLARED WITHOUT MERIT.
One of the most relevant public services is the supply of drinking water, since its relationship with the protection of the right to health and life of individuals is unquestionable. Thus, there is an obligation on the part of the State to guarantee the purity of the liquid for human consumption, as well as the continuity of its supply, as essential elements of the provision of the public service, all with the purpose of protecting the integrity of the users.
LBH07/21 ... See more Content of Interest:
Content type: Majority vote Branch of Law: 4. MATTERS OF GUARANTEE Topic: PUBLIC SERVICES Subtopics:
BASIC SERVICES.
012084-21. IN THE FACE OF THE SUSPENSION OF NEW DRINKING WATER SERVICES AND REGARDING THE STATUS OF A DEFICITARY ZONE WITH RESPECT TO WATER AVAILABILITY IN PLAYA GRANDE, IT IS INDICATED THAT THE ICAA AUTHORITIES MUST ASSIST THE ASADA IN THE PROCESS OF RESOLVING THE FUTURE PROBLEM OF WATER SHORTAGE IN THE LOCATION. THE ACTION IS DECLARED WITHOUT MERIT.
One of the most relevant public services is the supply of drinking water, since its relationship with the protection of the right to health and life of individuals is unquestionable. Thus, there is an obligation on the part of the State to guarantee the purity of the liquid for human consumption, as well as the continuity of its supply, as essential elements of the provision of the public service, all with the purpose of protecting the integrity of the users.
LBH07/21 ... See more Content of Interest:
Content type: Majority vote Branch of Law: 4. MATTERS OF GUARANTEE Topic: PRIVATE LAW SUBJECT Subtopics:
COMPLAINT.
012084-21. IN THE FACE OF THE SUSPENSION OF NEW DRINKING WATER SERVICES AND REGARDING THE STATUS OF A DEFICITARY ZONE WITH RESPECT TO WATER AVAILABILITY IN PLAYA GRANDE, IT IS INDICATED THAT THE ICAA AUTHORITIES MUST ASSIST THE ASADA IN THE PROCESS OF RESOLVING THE FUTURE PROBLEM OF WATER SHORTAGE IN THE LOCATION. THE ACTION IS DECLARED WITHOUT MERIT.
It is inappropriate to hear the disagreement regarding such declaration, as this Chamber is not a controller of the legality of the Administration's actions or resolutions, and therefore it is not within its purview to review whether the order emanating from considering the coverage area of the Playa Grande aqueduct as a deficit zone proceeds or not, in accordance with current infra-constitutional regulations, given that it is deemed that it does not have proven water capacity to cover future new services, much less whether it is appropriate to grant availability of new drinking water services as demanded, since these are matters of ordinary legality. It is noted that the amparo action is, essentially, a summary proceeding. Consequently, when it is necessary to review various administrative actions –proceedings and formal acts that are translated and materialized in an administrative file– the matter ceases to be subject matter for an amparo action, as it must be addressed through a plenary cognition proceeding, that is, a full knowledge proceeding, which can only be substantiated before the ordinary jurisdiction.
LBH07/21 ... See more Content of Interest:
Content type: Majority vote Branch of Law: 4. MATTERS OF GUARANTEE Topic: ASSOCIATION Subtopics:
COMPLAINT.
012084-21. IN THE FACE OF THE SUSPENSION OF NEW DRINKING WATER SERVICES AND REGARDING THE STATUS OF A DEFICITARY ZONE WITH RESPECT TO WATER AVAILABILITY IN PLAYA GRANDE, IT IS INDICATED THAT THE ICAA AUTHORITIES MUST ASSIST THE ASADA IN THE PROCESS OF RESOLVING THE FUTURE PROBLEM OF WATER SHORTAGE IN THE LOCATION. THE ACTION IS DECLARED WITHOUT MERIT.
It is inappropriate to hear the disagreement regarding such declaration, as this Chamber is not a controller of the legality of the Administration's actions or resolutions, and therefore it is not within its purview to review whether the order emanating from considering the coverage area of the Playa Grande aqueduct as a deficit zone proceeds or not, in accordance with current infra-constitutional regulations, given that it is deemed that it does not have proven water capacity to cover future new services, much less whether it is appropriate to grant availability of new drinking water services as demanded, since these are matters of ordinary legality. It is noted that the amparo action is, essentially, a summary proceeding. Consequently, when it is necessary to review various administrative actions –proceedings and formal acts that are translated and materialized in an administrative file– the matter ceases to be subject matter for an amparo action, as it must be addressed through a plenary cognition proceeding, that is, a full knowledge proceeding, which can only be substantiated before the ordinary jurisdiction.
LBH07/21 ... See more *210002450007CO* SALA CONSTITUCIONAL DE LA CORTE SUPREMA DE JUSTICIA. San José, at eight thirty hours on May twenty-eighth, two thousand twenty-one.
Amparo action filed by [Name 001], of legal age, divorced, President of the protected association, identity card No. [Value 001], on behalf of the Asociación de Acueducto y Alcantarillado Sanitario Vecinos de Playa Grande, legal identification number 3002223050, against the Director of the UEN Gestión de ASADAS and the Head of the Oficina de Atención de ASADAS de la Región Chorotega, both of the Instituto Costarricense de Acueductos y Alcantarillados.
Findings:
The documentation to which the appellant refers cannot be taken as the current reality of the aqueducts; as mentioned, the CTI minute CI-002-2018, issued in 2018, makes an assessment in light of the current state of the aquifers, concluding that their exploitation cannot continue. Furthermore, it cannot be assumed that the conceded flow rates are those being produced by the ASADA's sources, since the technical study does not provide any pumping test evidence. Therefore, considering this without such information would pose a risk, as it is essential to have exact data that comply with regulations and science to generate a scientific criterion on the real situation of the aqueduct.
Regarding the water balance of the ASADA of Playa Grande, it is noted that the aqueduct has available, from the coastal aqueduct of Nimboyores, a flow rate of 4 liters per second (l/s) in its first stage, in addition to a total flow rate conceded before MINAE in file 416-R for 5 registered wells of 16.84 l/s. However, for the correct functioning of the system, the ASADA requires a flow rate of 16.56 l/s. It should be emphasized that due to climate change and the fact that these capacity measurements for the concession before MINAE were conducted between 2004 and 2009, these flow rates do not include the impacts suffered in the area between 2015 and 2016, which affected the area's aquifers, as recorded in resolution Vote No. 2018-002898 of the Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court of Justice.
It is for this reason that, for the ASADA of Playa Grande, even if documents indicate that it has sufficient flow rate to supply its population, there is no accurate record that these supply sources are producing what the flow rate allocation indicates. That is, the flow rate allocation documents may indicate that the wells have a specific flow rate assigned to the association; however, it is currently unknown if those wells are producing that same quantity of water that was assigned to the ASADA. It is for this reason that, in order to demonstrate that the system has the water capacity (capacidad hídrica) to supply current and future users without causing detriment, pumping tests of 72 hours are required for each of the 5 wells where flow rates have been assigned to the ASADA, and no well that does not have an allocation granted by the Water Directorate of MINAE can be accounted for.
Additionally, the ASADA uses 3 wells that do not have a flow rate assigned by MINAE, and it is currently not viable for it to be supplied only from the coastal project, because this would result in a shortage of approximately 12.56 l/s in the system, violating Articles 5, 6, and 7 of the ICAA's Reglamento de Prestación de Servicios.
The technical document Metodologías Hidrogeológicas para el Recurso Hídrico para la Evaluación del Recurso Hídrico, issued on June 12, 2012, states in Article 6, subsection a) that pumping tests must be conducted on wells for urban development use for 72 hours, and this is confirmed by what is stated in official communication GSD-UEN-GAR-2020-05403 (Anexo 4) prepared by Rodolfo Ramírez Villalba, Director of the UEN ASADAS of the ICAA.
Given that the ASADA of Playa Grande cannot confirm whether the flow rate extracted from its sources is sufficient to supply its population, it is recommended to conduct the 72-hour pumping tests to confirm whether the assigned flow rate corresponds to the flow rate provided by the 5 wells that have a flow rate allocation granted by MINAE.
As stated in the fourth finding of fact of this report, the Orac Región Chorotega proceeded to respond to the appeal for revocation filed by the ASADA of Playa Grande, and the General Management resolved the appeal on appeal. However, the resolutions and the criteria issued to give content to the rejection of the technical study and the subsequent declaration of a Deficient Zone (Zona Deficitaria) are based on the real capacities of an aqueduct. That is, in the analysis of the technical study presented by the ASADA of Playa Grande, engineer Oscar Ampié from the Engineering Area of the Orac Región Chorotega, who has the required expertise for the analysis of these studies, determined that the technical study in question has a series of deficiencies and areas for improvement that the ASADA must carry out or present, as the case may be.
In addition to the above, the ASADA of Playa Grande was notified, starting June 30, 2020, via official communication GSD-UEN-GAR-2020-02733, of the actions it must take so that the declaration of a deficient zone can be lifted. However, almost seven months later, it has not demonstrated that these improvements have been made. On the contrary, it has spent time filing administrative and now judicial procedures, in which it provides no technical proof that the system's conditions are suitable to grant new services or new service availabilities.
It is not true that the provisions issued by the ICAA, which are the subject of this appeal, flagrantly violate the rights of the subscribers of the ASADA of Playa Grande, as the appellant claims. On the contrary, it is in safeguarding those rights and interests that the appealed administrative acts were issued, with the purpose of protecting the current users of the system, seeking to ensure that new services or service availabilities are not granted without the improvements that the ASADA must carry out having been corrected. The ASADA, which administers, operates, maintains, and develops the system delegated by the ICAA, has to date shown no interest in complying, as it provides no proof whatsoever that at least some of the indicated recommendations have been resolved.
Legal Argument. Nationalization of the service. The State has delegated part of its powers exclusively to the ICAA; these powers refer to the administration, operation, maintenance, and development of aqueduct and sewer systems throughout the country, which leads us to conclude that this public service is nationalized. The foregoing is grounded in the fact that these services are essential public services (see opinion C-373-03 of November 26, 2003, and multiple rulings of the Constitutional Chamber that establish access to potable water as a fundamental right). This means that the ICAA, the Municipalities, and companies authorized by law are the only entities with jurisdiction for the direct provision of public services, or those private entities to whom the ICAA has delegated their provision (indirect provision of public services).
In the specific case, the ASADA of Playa Grande submitted to the ICAA the Technical Study entitled "Proyecto de abastecimiento de agua potable administrado por parte de la Asociación Administradora del acueducto de Playa Grande," which was analyzed by engineer Oscar Ampié Bermúdez, from the Engineering Area of the Orac Región Chorotega, and was not approved because a series of system improvements are required to be corrected, which emerge from said study, and the ASADA was informed of this via memorandum No. GSD-UEN-GAR-2020-2718, dated June 26, 2020.
As a consequence of the above, engineer Ampié Bermúdez determined that, based on the results of the aforementioned technical study, the ASADA of Playa Grande must be declared a deficient zone, because the aqueduct does not have proven water capacity to provide coverage for future new services, and it is recommended not to issue certificates of service availability (constancias de disponibilidad de servicio) or certificates of water capacity (constancias de capacidad hídrica) while this state persists.
It is important to clarify that the deficient zone has a temporary condition, subject to the execution of works and actions that solve the zone's needs, as mentioned in Article 5 of the Reglamento para la Prestación de los Servicios del ICAA, and to this end, the Orac Región Chorotega communicated to the ASADA of Playa Grande a series of recommendations that it must comply with in order to exit this state, which, to date, it has not demonstrated having fulfilled.
Another important situation to highlight is that the aforementioned article allows a zone declared as deficient to grant services for individual housing and commercial units, resulting from the application of the concept of maximum development of growth (desarrollo máximo de crecimiento). However, this maximum development of growth must be determined on the understanding that the granting of new service availabilities or new services does not negatively impact the quality and continuity of the service, to the detriment of existing services.
Right to health and life. From Articles 21 and 50 of the Political Constitution, the right of individuals to life and health emerges, which are intimately linked, as life, as the supreme value of the Constitution, implies special protection, because without life, the protection of other fundamental rights would be of little use. Thus, life must be protected in all its facets, from a physical, mental, and environmental aspect, and it is precisely there that the importance of protecting both the environment and natural resources arises, in order to ensure the well-being of people.
Now, among other aspects, this well-being is achieved through the protection and conservation of the quality and quantity of water resources, so that it is potable for human consumption and thereby protects people's health, since, being a necessary resource for hygiene, food, and drink, its contamination or poor management can cause serious harm to public health.
In this sense, the protection, conservation, and management of services must be provided by the State (ICAA, Municipalities, or ASADAs with a delegation agreement) to guarantee access to this resource for all people, as well as to ensure compliance with these duties. It is under this consideration that the right to water is born, which is protected by the Constitutional Court.
It is reiterated that the State has delegated to the ICAA the duty to "Direct and supervise everything concerning providing the inhabitants of the Republic with a service of potable water, collection and evacuation of black water and liquid industrial waste, and rainwater in urban areas," having to guarantee this right to health and life. It is for this reason that the Orac Región Chorotega, through official communication No. GSD-UEN-GAR-2020-02737 dated June 29, 2020, signed by you, notified the ASADA of Playa Grande that the coverage area of the aqueduct managed by that operator is provisionally declared a deficient zone, and that this declaration is subject to the ASADA demonstrating, through a water balance, the real water capacity of the aqueduct. The foregoing is based on technical report No. GSD-UEN-GAR-2020-02733 prepared on June 26, 2020, by engineer Oscar Ampié. However, to date, the ASADA of Playa Grande has not submitted to the ICAA any proof demonstrating the water capacity of its system, and, therefore, the technical criterion issued by the Orac Región Chorotega must be maintained.
Regarding the operators of aqueduct and sewer services: The ICAA, the Municipalities, and companies authorized by law are the only entities with jurisdiction for the direct provision of public services, or the ASADAs to whom the ICAA has delegated their provision (indirect provision of public services through the delegation agreement). All of the above are subject to the principle of legality, and cannot do more than what the law allows them; therefore, they cannot ignore the requirements stipulated in the regulations governing the matter.
The Constitutional Chamber has ruled on cases where there are valid reasons to deny the provision of the service, concluding on this topic that the provision of the service can be denied when there is no infrastructure, when the service enjoyed by current users of the system is affected, and when the requirements have not been met. "Thus, this character as a fundamental right does not imply unrestricted access to water services, since the administration can validly establish general requirements that must be met by each applicant to assess their particular request, thus recognizing the possibility of limiting the granting of new water connections for the purpose of ensuring the continuity of the provision of the public potable water supply service to current users and domiciles receiving said service - see judgments numbers 2007-17475, of eleven hours five minutes of November thirty, two thousand seven, and 2008-11390, of eleven hours twenty-nine minutes of July twenty-second, two thousand eight." (The bold and underline are not from the original).
It is understood then that, although there is a fundamental right of access to potable water, which can be demanded from the corresponding administration, the provision of the service can well be subject to the material and formal possibility of supply, and the absence of technical situations that make it impossible or inadvisable for the administration to provide the potable water service (Vote No. 2009-009936).
Regarding the enforceability of the administrative act. The enforceability of the administrative act is its property of producing effects, even against the will of the obligated party, without the need for the Administration to resort to judicial instances to order its compliance. The ICAA, as the governing body, has the power required by the current legal system to issue opinions and directives to the ASADAs regarding the provision of the public service they provide by delegation, which are mandatory in accordance with articles 2, subsections 27, 28, 37 subsections c) and f) and 105 of the Reglamento de ASADAS, under penalty of establishing the corresponding civil and/or criminal sanctions against the members of the Board of Directors, Prosecution, or workers of the ASADAs who fail to comply with these guidelines, as established in article 21 of the same regulatory body.
Therefore, the administrative act issued by the ORAC Región Chorotega via official communication No. GSD-UEN-GAR-2020-02722, notifying that the Technical Study presented by the ASADA of Playa Grande was not approved, and the administrative act communicated via official communication No. GSD-UEN-GAR-2020-02737, referring to the declaration of the deficient zone, were issued in accordance with the law and are immediately enforceable, as they have the technical backing of the Engineering Area of the ORAC.
Regarding the specific request of the appellant. On July 12, 2019, the ORAC Región Chorotega of the ICAA received the technical study entitled: "Documentación y análisis del sistema de abastecimiento de agua potable en la Comunidad de Playa Grande de Santa Cruz," prepared by the consulting firm Hidrotec Internacional Tecnología Líquida S.A.
The Engineering Area of the ORAC conducts the analysis and review of said technical study, and subsequently, the recommendations are issued via memorandum GSD-UEN-GAR-2020-02718, issued on June 26, 2020, by engineer Oscar Ampié.
The referred technical study was intended to determine if the aqueduct system of the ASADA of Playa Grande has the water and hydraulic capacity (capacidad hídrica e hidráulica) to supply its users efficiently and in compliance with the principles of public service, both presently and in the future. Additionally, as part of the evaluation of the existing hydraulic infrastructure of the system, the water quality is assessed to ensure it is suitable for human consumption. The improvement proposals set forth in the study are also evaluated in order to confirm whether they represent the best solution alternatives and are suitable for the aqueduct, provided that technical feasibility materially exists to carry them out. Finally, among the hydraulic infrastructure improvements, other important improvements not considered in the submitted technical study are added.
From the analysis and review of said technical study, submitted by the ASADA of Playa Grande, engineer Oscar Ampié determined that the data provided on the flow rates of the wells used by the ASADA to supply its users correspond to capacity measurements (aforos) and not to pumping tests (pruebas de bombeo). In this case, the capacity measurement values represent an extraction flow rate over a very short time and do not correspond to recommended extraction flow rates obtained through a pumping test of 72 hours, which is the required test time as established by Article 6, subsection a) of the standard Metodologías Hidrogeológicas para la Evaluación del Recurso Hídrico and memorandum No. GSD-UEN-GAR-2020-05403, dated December 17, 2020, issued by Lic. Rodolfo Ramírez Villalba, Director of the UEN Gestión de ASADAS. A pumping test represents the extraction capacity of a well in the aqueduct system.
It is reiterated that Article 6, subsection a) of the standard Metodologías Hidrogeológicas para la Evaluación del Recurso Hídrico indicates that the pumping period for population use must be 72 hours. If capacity measurement flow rates are used to estimate the water capacity of an aqueduct, the result or conclusion to determine if there is enough water to meet the water demand in the system will not be reliable, since it will reflect the extraction capacity of the system's wells over a short time interval.
The Norma Técnica para Diseño y Construcción de Sistemas de Abastecimiento de Agua Potable, Saneamiento y Pluvial 2017, in subsection 4.8, indicates that for projects with their own supply, a copy of the exploitation concession document for the well or other supply source must be submitted. The conceded flow rate must, at a minimum, be equal to the maximum daily flow rate when the project includes storage, and to the maximum hourly flow rate when the project does not include storage. In addition, the pumping test or the capacity measurements of the other supply sources, as applicable, and the respective technical studies must be provided.
Thus, as there is no reliable data in the technical study submitted by the appellant to determine if there is water capacity in the Playa Grande aqueduct, it is recommended not to grant new water availabilities provisionally, as long as the contrary is not demonstrated by the ASADA. The ORAC does not have data or pumping test results from the last four years to define the available flow rate that the ASADA of Playa Grande has; therefore, it cannot be guaranteed that the association is complying with the provisions of article 28, subsection c) of the Reglamento de ASADAS.
Although the submitted technical study did not include any documentation regarding the flow rate concession granted by MINAE for the wells the ASADA has, the concession for the same, according to file 416-R MINAE, is 16.84 l/s. To ensure that this conceded flow rate relates to the actual extraction carried out by the ASADA or the possible extraction carried out by the operating entity, the capacity measurement data is insufficient for the reasons stated above; rather, it is necessary to know the data from a pumping test to be able to conclude whether or not there is capacity in the system.
The Reglamento para la prestación de los servicios del ICAA, which is binding on the ASADAs, refers to the obligation to issue certificates of water capacity, service availability, or new services, provided that there is technical feasibility (factibilidad técnica), which is defined in article 5 of that regulatory body. In the review and/or analysis of the technical study of the Playa Grande aqueduct, it cannot be verified or proven with the data provided whether the aqueduct managed by the ASADA has available water capacity to supply its users in the present time and in the future (25 years). That is, there is no proven technical feasibility; on the contrary, with the information presented (which does not correspond to the regulated technical methodology), it shows an available flow rate lower than the one registered.
It is reiterated that for any ASADA to provide new services, the system must have the real capacity to comply with the principles of public service, in addition to fulfilling legal and environmental requirements that do not affect the provision of existing services. For the legal exploitation of a supply source to exist, it must be registered before the competent authority, specifically, the Water Directorate of MINAE. However, the technical study provided by the ASADA of Playa Grande does not indicate if the referred wells have that flow rate assigned to the operator for human consumption.
Although the terms set forth here are more closely linked to the provision of the service, the fundamental prior step is obtaining the service availability, regulated in Article 20 of the Reglamento para la prestación de los servicios del ICAA, and the technical criterion that supports the certificate must refer at a minimum to the water and hydraulic capacity conditions presented by the systems, which by coverage correspond to the request; likewise, it must contain the verification of compliance with the urban and construction standards that govern real estate activity.
In summary, for an ASADA to be able to grant new services or new service availabilities, it must have its sources with a conceded flow rate, its systems must have proven water and hydraulic capacity, and, additionally, the new requests must meet the basic requirements for their processing.
Article 5 of the Reglamento para la Prestación de Servicios del ICAA defines water capacity as the "existence of the water resource with technical and operational feasibility for the production of potable water for supply by the ICAA"; in the case of the Playa Grande aqueduct, with the data and information provided in the Technical Study submitted by the ASADA, the existence of the water resource cannot be demonstrated. Therefore, in the case at hand, it is not advisable for that operator to continue granting new certificates of service availability, certificates of water capacity, and new services, until the warnings made by engineer Oscar Ampié in memoranda No. GSD-UEN-GAR-2020-02718 and GSD-UEN-GAR-2020-2733, both dated June 26, 2020, are corrected.
The aforementioned article also indicates that the service availability for water supply is the "real and current, not future or potential, existence of the necessary global works and infrastructure and water supply capacity to meet the service needs of a specific population" (the bold is not from the original).
Finally, the article in question indicates that technical feasibility is an indispensable requirement for the granting of a service; therefore, it is absolutely necessary that the systems have sufficient water, hydraulic, potabilization, and treatment capacity to serve new services, in addition to the system complying with the established quality attributes, and that it be legally and environmentally possible. These are aspects that, for the moment, have not been verified through the Technical Study presented by the ASADA of Playa Grande to the Orac Región Chorotega, and to date, almost seven months after being communicated to the ASADA, no new proof has been provided demonstrating that said operator has begun implementing the improvements recommended in memoranda No. GSD-UEN-GAR-2020-02718 and GSD-UEN-GAR-2020-02733, both dated June 26, 2020, and issued by engineer Oscar Ampié.
For all the reasons stated above, the technical study is not approved by the Engineering Area of the ORAC Región Chorotega, given that the information and data provided are not reliable or sufficient to issue the corresponding criterion regarding: the water capacity of the aqueduct, the legality of the wells, the exploitation of the wells, the water quality, and the corrective actions or efforts concerning the lands and/or passage and pipeline easements (servidumbres de paso y de tubería) in favor of the ASADA.
Additionally, what is indicated in the official communication/minute CTI-002-2018, generated by the Comisión Técnica Interinstitucional composed of SENARA, MINAE, and the ICAA, regarding the management of the water resource in the area, and the recommendation against the uncontrolled over-exploitation of the aquifers comprised in the Potrero-Caimital-Huacas-Tamarindo zone, must be highlighted.
The Comisión Técnica Interinstitucional para la Gestión de Acuíferos held a meeting in which the scope of Resolution No. 2018-002898 from file 17-0004535-007-CO of the Constitutional Chamber was analyzed. "As the sole point, it was agreed that the Comité Técnico Interinstitucional para la Gestión de Acuíferos, hereinafter CTI, establish a work strategy to implement the provisions ordered by this Constitutional Court, in order to address the supply needs (organic growth) of the communities located within the coastal aquifers of Santa Cruz (Huacas-Tamarindo, Potrero, Brasilito)." As a conclusion of this analysis, the following is evidenced: "Considering that technically it is not advisable to maintain unlimited exploitation of the water from the aforementioned coastal aquifers, and taking into account the current technical conditions of the aquifers, the CTI does not recommend increasing their exploitation levels except to satisfy activities: Low consumption such as: • Water supply for new single-family homes for domestic use on a lot, provided they are not within new urban developments nor in a subdivision (fraccionamiento) of the same farm.
Unavoidable necessity such as: • Permanent public needs (educational centers, police stations, health centers) and transitory public activities duly authorized by the competent entities (mass events, fairs, emergency shelters)." In relation to the referred minute, the Executive Presidency of the ICAA prepared official communication PRE-2018-00960, through which an explanation was given on the matter of these availabilities and the new services that can be granted by the ASADAs affected by the CTI's criterion, in addition to noting that the coastal aqueduct was expected to come into operation in the first quarter of 2019 to reduce pressure on the aquifers. While it is true that the coastal aqueduct is now in operation, the CTI has not yet issued any criterion that varies what was provided in Minute No. CTI-002-2018; therefore, the ASADAs can only provide service availabilities or grant new services according to what is stated therein.
It is also evident, from the conclusions of the minute presented, that "it is not recommended to increase their levels of exploitation"; this, with respect to the existing sources in the area, means that increases in flow rates or new sources will not be permitted for any operating entity with respect to the current conditions of the aquifers.
The ASADA of Playa Grande does not provide evidence demonstrating reasons that would allow modifying the recommendation not to issue certificates of water capacity, certificates of service availability, or new services. According to the technical study it conducted, which was analyzed by the Engineering Area of the ORAC, it was determined that there are situations that must be corrected in the report and improvements required in the system, in order to guarantee the optimal provision of the aqueduct service. Moreover, with the data provided in said study, the water capacity of the system cannot be determined.
Through memorandum No. GSD-UEN-GAR-2020-02718, all the improvements that the ASADA must make prior to the approval of the referenced technical study are listed.
As a consequence of the determination of the absence of (indispensable) information provided with the technical report submitted by the ASADA of Playa Grande, the Engineering Area issues memorandum No. GSD-UEN-GAR-2020-2733 declaring the zone deficient because the system does not have "proven water capacity to provide coverage for future new services," based on article 5 of the Reglamento para la prestación de los servicios del ICAA.
Additionally, regarding the flow rate assigned from the Nimboyores Project to the ASADA of Playa Grande, on August 21, 2020, the Engineering Area of the ORAC Región Chorotega issued technical criterion No. GSD-UEN-GAR-2020-03500, which indicates: "With the flow rate from the I stage of the Nimboyores Project of the ICAA, to the ASADA of Playa Grande, it is not sufficient to cover the existing services of the aqueduct in the year 2020. The flow rate contributed by the wells used by the ASADA must be added; however, the water capacity of these must be demonstrated through the pumping tests requested in the Technical Study. For the year 2023, with the flow rate from the I stage of the Nimboyores Project plus the flow rate from the II stage of the same Project, supply to the ASADA's services could be covered." It must be clarified that, based on the Executive Summary of the 2020 Project for the Expansion and Improvement of the Santa Cruz Coastal Aqueduct, from the ICAA, according to the works execution schedule, it is estimated that the Nimboyores Project in its entirety will be completed by March 2023.
According to the Executive Summary of the 2020 Project for the Expansion and Improvement of the Santa Cruz Coastal Aqueduct, from the ICAA, for the Playa Grande de Santa Cruz ASADA the following is estimated: Stage I: 4 l/s. Stage II: 10 l/s.” And the aforementioned opinion concludes: “Therefore, as of the year 2023, the Playa Grande de Santa Cruz ASADA could emerge from the deficit status regarding water resources, provided that the entirety of the ICAA's Nimboyores Project is fully completed as projected in the execution timeline. And additionally, provided that the ASADA carries out the repair or construction works for a tank, to improve its storage capacity.” Regarding the declaration of a deficit zone made concerning the Playa Grande ASADA, it is necessary to point out that Article 5 of the Regulation for the Provision of ICAA Services defines: “In this type of zones, services will only be approved for individual housing units and individual commerce, resulting from the application of the concept of ‘maximum development of growth’.” This same article establishes in the definition of maximum development of growth: “It must be determined that the granting of service availability and eventual connections does not negatively impact the quality and continuity of service, to the detriment of existing services.” (bold and underline not in the original).
That is, according to the aforementioned regulation, in zones declared deficit, services can only be approved for individual housing units and individual commerce, resulting from the concept of maximum development of growth, but beforehand, it must be determined that said granting of services or service availabilities do not negatively impact the quality and continuity of existing services or cause them detriment; therefore, services for individual housing units and individual commerce cannot always be granted in a deficit zone, because for this, it is necessary to demonstrate that there will be no impact on current users, which the Playa Grande ASADA has not done to date. It is reiterated, the appellant is incorrect in stating that, with the declaration of a deficit zone for the Playa Grande aqueduct, the rights of its users are flagrantly violated; on the contrary with said provisions the ICAA seeks to protect those rights and interests of current users, ensuring that new services or service availabilities are not granted without the improvements that the ASADA must carry out having been resolved.
The ASADA administers, operates, maintains, and develops the system delegated by the ICAA and to date has not shown interest in complying, since it provides no proof whatsoever that at least some of the indicated recommendations have been resolved. In conclusion, the data presented by the Playa Grande ASADA in the Technical Study called “Project for the supply of potable water administered by the Administrative Association of the Playa Grande aqueduct” are neither reliable nor sufficient to determine if there is hydraulic capacity in the Playa Grande aqueduct. Therefore, it is recommended not to provisionally grant new water availabilities, as long as the contrary is not demonstrated, given that the ORAC Región Chorotega does not have data or pump test results from the last four years to define the available flow that this operator has. For all the foregoing, the technical study is not approved by the Engineering Area of the ORAC Región Chorotega, given that the information and data provided, we reiterate, are neither reliable nor sufficient regarding: the hydraulic capacity of the aqueduct, the legality of the wells, the utilization of the wells, the water quality, and the corrective actions or measures regarding the lands and/or rights-of-way (servidumbres de paso) and pipeline easements (servidumbres de tubería) in favor of the ASADA.
For this reason, it was determined that there are situations that must be resolved in the technical report and in the system, in order to guarantee the optimal provision of the aqueduct service; furthermore, with the data provided in said study, the hydraulic capacity of the system cannot be determined. Through memorandum No. GSD-UEN-GAR-2020-02718, all the improvements that the ASADA must carry out prior to the approval of the referenced technical study are indicated. As a consequence of the determination of the existing anomalies in the submitted technical study, the Engineering Area issued memorandum No. GSD-UEN-GAR-2020-2733 declaring the zone deficit because the system does not have “proven hydraulic capacity to cover future new services,” based on numeral 5 of the Regulation for the provision of ICAA services. In the present case, the ASADA seeks an exemption, but it is not possible for the ICAA to depart from the legal system, science, and technical standards, which would allow bypassing the legal system to comply with assessments that lack sufficient technical and legal support.
Precisely, the reasoning and justification is that the supply system provided in the sector does not meet the necessary conditions to guarantee the basic principles of public service. We are not dealing with arbitrary information from the Institution; there are technical studies that support the decision, and the system cannot be further degraded by granting availabilities and/or services and hydraulic capacity certificates in an unrestricted manner. It would be irresponsible on the part of the ICAA to grant what is requested under these conditions, setting aside, we reiterate, technical and legal aspects. The Playa Grande ASADA requests that the criterion of not granting more service availabilities or new services be annulled, arguing that the lives of the population of the Playa Grande community are being affected; however, the ASADA continues to provide service to its subscribers, since the restriction is not for the current service but for the growth of potential single-family dwellings (which is the only growth permitted for the entire zone, as ruled by minute 002-2018-CTI).
One should not confuse the potential impact on the population that relies on tourism arising from the non-acceptance of a technical study that has shortcomings, which results in a restriction on granting availabilities and new services (declaration of a deficit zone), as the technical and evidentiary criteria that the system has the conditions to expand are not met; it would be irresponsible on the part of the institution to allow a system to expand without having the elements that allow it to do so without it being considered a risk. The Constitutional Chamber would be incorrect in granting what is petitioned by the appellant ASADA, as it would be contrary to the Principle of Legality and to the science and technical standards indicated in Articles 11 and 16 of the General Law of Public Administration, since no exemption exists for the Playa Grande ASADA not to comply with what was recommended by the Engineering Area of the Región Chorotega, through memoranda No. GSD-UEN-GAR-2020-02718 and GSD-UEN-GAR-2020-02733, both dated June 26, 2020, and issued by engineer Oscar Ampié, given that the directives emanating from the institution are mandatory.
Based on the arguments of fact and law set forth above, it requests: 1. That the present appeal be declared without merit in all its extremes. 2. That the ICAA not be ordered to pay costs, damages, and losses, given that the actions taken have been in accordance with the law, grounded in current regulations and administrative and judicial jurisprudence. 3. That the case file be archived. 4.- José Rodolfo Ramírez Villalba, in his capacity as Director of the UEN Gestión de ASADAS (UEN Gestión de Acueductos Comunales), attests under oath (filing submitted at 3:31 p.m. on January 18, 2021), ratifying the report requested by this Court, which could not be presented on the required date because he was on statutory vacation leave. He reiterates the statements made by Liany Alfaro García, Head of the ASADA Support Office of the Región Chorotega of the ICAA. He adds that it is not true that the declaration of a deficit zone for the Playa Grande ASADA is based solely on the lack of hydraulic capacity; rather, there are 10 points that must be resolved by the appellant, which were brought to its attention through memorandum No. GSD-UEN-GAR-2020-02718, dated June 26, 2020, and to date, almost seven months later, it has not shown interest in resolving them.
Based on the arguments of fact and law set forth above, it requests: 1. That the present appeal be declared without merit in all its extremes. 2. That the ICAA not be ordered to pay costs, damages, and losses, given that the actions taken have been in accordance with the law, grounded in current regulations and administrative and judicial jurisprudence. 3. That the case file be archived. 5.- By filing received at the Secretariat of the Chamber at 10:44 a.m. on March 25, 2021, the appellant refers to the response formulated by the respondent party. It indicates that it presents evidence for a better resolution showing that its represented party has always acted in pursuit and defense of its associates/subscribers. Note that the respondent expressly accepted the declaration of a deficit zone within the territorial jurisdiction of this operating entity, through which the granting of new certificates of potable water service availability for single-family dwellings and individual commerce is suspended and/or prohibited.
Consequently, it has become clear that the governing body is attempting to apply the conditions and guidelines of a restriction zone to a deficit zone, as if they were the same, without complying with the formalities provided in its own regulations for the purpose of protecting the right of defense and due administrative procedure. 6.- Liany Alfaro García attests under oath, in her capacity as Head of the ASADA Support Office of the Región Chorotega of the ICAA (filing submitted at 11:39 a.m. on April 12, 2021), that she proceeds to refer to the “Evidence for a better resolution” provided by the appellant, based on report No. GSD-UEN-GAR-2021-01488, dated April 9, 2021, sent by Eng. Oscar Ampié, an official of the ORAC Región Chorotega, and in this regard indicates: FIRST: It is rejected as inaccurate. In the technical study document presented by the Playa Grande ASADA and received at the ORAC Región Chorotega on July 12, 2019, pump tests were not provided; only short-duration well yield measurements (aforos) were provided, which are not sufficient to determine the hydraulic capacity of the aqueduct system operated by said association.
SECOND: Partially true. The objective of the declaration of non-issuance of new service availabilities or new services provisionally for the Playa Grande ASADA arises from the fact that, based on Article 5 of the Regulation for the provision of ICAA services, which is binding on ASADAs, the definition of a certificate of service availability is focused on guaranteeing the provision of the aqueduct service to existing users, to the detriment of the hydraulic conditions of the system, which can be affected by increasing the number of services to be supplied (future services). This increase in the number of users could cause a collapse in the water supply, since from the technical study presented by the Playa Grande ASADA, the current hydraulic capacity cannot be determined; that is, there is no proven hydraulic capacity for the authorization of new services, and doing so could affect current users.
It is for this reason that the ICAA must act immediately, safeguarding the rights of the people currently receiving the service from said operator, and proceeds with the declaration of a deficit zone. As explained in the report presented to this Court, this is defined in numeral 5 of the Regulation for the Provision of ICAA Services, which indicates: “In this type of zones, services will only be approved for individual housing units and individual commerce, resulting from the application of the concept of ‘maximum development of growth’” (bold and underline not in the original). Furthermore, the same numeral establishes in the definition of maximum development of growth: “It must be determined that the granting of service availability and eventual connections does not negatively impact the quality and continuity of service, to the detriment of existing services.” (bold and underline not in the original).
From the above, it follows that, in complement to both definitions, in zones declared deficit, only services for individual housing units and individual commerce can be approved, resulting from the concept of maximum development of growth, where it must be determined that said granting of services or service availabilities does not negatively impact the quality and continuity, causing detriment to existing services, because if it causes an impact on current users, they cannot be granted. The ICAA is the national governing body for the provision of aqueduct and/or sanitary sewer services, and therefore, is obligated to ensure that said provision complies with the principles of public service. For this reason, it is not overreaching in its legal competencies, given that the obligation to provide the service belongs to the ICAA and is delegated to the Playa Grande ASADA. However, the ICAA retains its duties and obligations, and the delegated operator must comply with the provisions, recommendations, and directives issued by the Institution, in accordance with Articles 28 subsection a) and 105 of the ASADA Regulation, under penalty that, in case of non-compliance, the ICAA may assume the system by operation of law if it is proven that the service is not provided in accordance with the basic principles of public service provision or for any of the causes established in numeral 95 of the same regulatory body.
THIRD: It is rejected as inaccurate. The declaration of a deficit zone made for the Playa Grande ASADA entails the non-issuance of new certificates of service availability nor the granting of new services, with the objective of preventing the collapse of the Playa Grande aqueduct system, especially regarding the available water resources. If new certificates of service availability or new services continue to be issued without having real and updated technical supporting information, which serves as a tool for adequate decision-making, even the existing services could be affected, since the water resources might not be sufficient to guarantee the provision of public services in compliance with the basic principles of public service. For this reason, the Engineering area of the ORAC Región Chorotega analyzes the data and technical information provided by the ASADAs, based on the Technical Studies, in order to determine that the aqueduct systems operate optimally in all aspects.
Likewise, if aspects of critical importance that could affect the operation of the systems are detected and identified, there is an obligation to point them out to prevent, advise to correct, and accompany the execution of improvement processes. Article 4 of the ASADA Regulation states: “It is the responsibility of the Costa Rican Institute of Aqueducts and Sewers, hereinafter AyA, as the technical governing body for potable water supply and wastewater sanitation services, to intervene in all matters related to these public services, as well as to collaborate in the conservation, utilization, and rational use of waters, surveillance and control of their contamination or alteration, definition of the measures and actions necessary for the protection of hydrographic basins.” The appellant attempts to mislead the Constitutional Chamber by indicating in its third fact of the “Evidence for a better resolution” that the declaration of a restriction zone must be issued by the Board of Directors of the ICAA, which is correct; however, in this case, we are not facing the declaration of a restriction zone, but rather a deficit zone, which is different.
In the latter, according to the provisions of numeral 5 of the Regulation for the Provision of ICAA Services, the services that can be approved are those defined in the concept of “maximum development of growth,” which is defined in the same article and indicates: “Formula by which the operator will determine in a deficit zone the maximum volume, in liters per second, that will establish the maximum number of services that may be approved for individual housing and commerce, for each property located in an urbanized zone with basic services. It must be determined that the granting of service availability and eventual connections does not negatively impact the quality and continuity of service, to the detriment of existing services. ICAA will resolve negatively those requests for service availabilities or new services that, taken together, exceed the established maximum number.” Observe how the requests for certificates of service availability or new services can be resolved negatively, as it is essential to determine that their granting does not negatively impact the quality and continuity of service, to the detriment of existing services.
As indicated in the response report to the amparo appeal, it must be considered that the declaration of a deficit zone for the Playa Grande ASADA is not based solely on the lack of hydraulic capacity; rather, there are 10 points that must be resolved by the appellant, which were brought to its attention through memorandum No. GSD-UEN-GAR-2020-02718, dated June 26, 2020.The declaration of a deficit zone is temporary in nature, and this temporality is contingent upon the implementation of the improvements referenced to the Playa Grande ASADA in the aforementioned memorandum; therefore, it may emerge from that condition once it complies with what was requested. FOURTH: It is rejected as inaccurate. In none of the official letters or resolutions generated by the ORAC Región Chorotega is there any intent to discredit data or information generated, whether from the central headquarters of the ICAA, the Inter-Institutional Technical Commission, or the SIMASTIR program; quite the contrary, the Playa Grande ASADA has been requested to provide all information related to the aqueduct, since the association submitted a technical study to the ICAA for it to be analyzed and approved by the Engineering Area.
However, the pertinent tests or technical elements were not provided by the Playa Grande ASADA, which are necessary for the approval of that technical input. It should be noted that despite the existence of an Inter-Institutional Technical Commission composed of the Water Directorate, SENARA, and the ICAA, the representatives from ICAA are officials from the Environmental or Hydrogeological Unit. In this case, all information generated from that instance does not automatically flow to the ORAC Chorotega of the ICAA, and additionally, there is also no direct link between the two instances. Furthermore, there is also no link between the SIMASTIR program and the ORAC Chorotega of the ICAA, such that one could assume that all information or data generated through that program flows immediately to the ORAC. In addition to the above, Article 42 of the ASADA Regulation establishes that these operators must maintain a monthly flow measurement program and a permanent record of yield measurements (aforos) of their sources, in order to determine hydraulic capacity.
In the case of technical studies, a 72-hour pump test is required, as indicated in article 6 subsection a) of the standard Hydrogeological Methodologies for the Evaluation of Water Resources, published in Supplement No. 105 to Gazette No. 147 of July 31, 2012, which is of public knowledge. Furthermore, Article 41 of the ASADA Regulation states: “The ASADA shall carry out integrated management of water resources to supply the communities with drinking water and wastewater sanitation. Likewise, it shall perform the necessary tasks for the proper functioning of the administered systems and so that the service provided complies with the principles governing public service.” Now, the appellant attempts to divert attention from the improvements it must carry out according to memorandum No. GSD-UEN-GAR-2020-02718 dated June 26, 2020, and focuses the entire situation on the issue of water resources, when that is not the only thing it must resolve to exit the deficit zone status in which it was declared by the ICAA.
The water resource situation is only one part; the ASADA must comply with the 10 points defined in the referenced memorandum. FIFTH: It is rejected as inaccurate. Regarding the agreement reached by the Inter-Institutional Technical Commission describing the scope of application concerning the rationed use of water resources in the coastal sector of Santa Cruz, it should be noted that, from the moment the agreement adopted via minute CI-002-2018 entered into effect and in mid-February 2020, when the Santa Cruz coastal aqueduct entered into operation, said Technical Commission has not ruled again; the restriction on the unlimited utilization of the available flows from the Huacas-Tamarindo, Potrero, and Brasilito aquifers has not been lifted. Therefore, the agreement described in minute CI-002-2018 remains in effect, unless said Commission indicates otherwise. It was also indicated in the response report to the amparo appeal that there is a resolution of the Constitutional Chamber concerning this matter of the coastal aqueduct, specifically ruling No. 2018-002898, which states in the therefore section: “The appeal is granted.
Sophia Beliard Mora, in her capacity as Administrator of the Playa Potrero-Surfside ASADA, and Víctor Reyes Vargas, in his capacity as Head of the Regional Office of Santa Cruz of the Costa Rican Institute of Aqueducts and Sewers, or whoever holds those positions, are ordered to refrain from granting new water availabilities originating from the Playa Potrero aqueduct, until so authorized by SENARA.” Although the ruling refers to the Playa Potrero Surfside ASADA, the condition was extended in a subsequent opinion to all ASADAs supplied from the Huacas-Tamarindo and Potrero-Brasilito Aquifers, especially given the binding nature of constitutional resolutions. The ICAA does not overreach in its competencies; on the contrary, it exercises its authority as Governing Body in favor of compliance with the principles of public service and a provision of service that does not cause detriment to the current users of the system.
Since the Playa Grande ASADA has not carried out the improvements referenced in memorandum No. GSD-UEN-GAR-2020-02718, dated June 26, 2020, nor provided the pertinent tests or technical elements in the technical study regarding the hydraulic capacity of the system it operates, this institution is obligated to maintain its status as a declared deficit zone. Regarding directly the “evidence for a better resolution” sent by the appellant, it is concluded that the evidence provided in that act did not form part of the information presented in the technical study document received by the ICAA on July 12, 2019, nor was it provided to the ICAA prior to the declaration of the Deficit Zone. The images of the water quality analyses provided in the “evidence for a better resolution” document are mostly blurry and not fully legible enough to verify which well they come from and determine if they comply with the Water Quality Regulation.
The pump tests provided in the “evidence for a better resolution” document corresponding to well 1, well 2, well 3, well 4, well 5, well 7, well 8, well 9, were conducted for 24 hours, and not for 72 hours, as established in Article 6 subsection a) of the standard Hydrogeological Methodologies for the Evaluation of Water Resources; therefore, these tests do not meet the requirements for determining the real production capacity of the described wells. For this reason, and since the Playa Grande ASADA has not provided evidence to the ICAA that it has complied with what is stated in memorandum No. GSD-UEN-GAR-2020-02718, dated June 26, 2020, its deficit zone status cannot be changed. If this honorable Court orders the ICAA to lift that declaration, it would be forcing it to breach its duties as Governing Body and act against its own regulations, without overlooking the fact that serious harm could be caused to the current users of the system.
Based on the arguments of fact and law set forth above, it requests: 1. That the present appeal be declared without merit in all its extremes. 2. That the ICAA not be ordered to lift the [declaration], nor to pay costs, damages, and losses, given that the actions taken have been in accordance with the law, grounded in current regulations and administrative and judicial jurisprudence. 4. That the case file be archived. 7.- In the proceedings followed, the legal requirements have been observed. Drafted by Judge Garro Vargas; and, Considering: I.- Purpose of the appeal. The appellant claims that the declaration of a deficit zone made concerning the Playa Grande ASADA, and the suspension of granting new certificates of potable water service availability and hydraulic capacity for single-family dwellings and commerce by the ICAA, constitutes a threat to the fundamental right of access to potable water for the local inhabitants.
II.- Proven facts. Deemed as duly demonstrated for the decision of this matter are the following facts, either because they have been so accredited or because the respondents have omitted to refer to them as provided in the initial order:
No. 02 of 15:15 hours on August 7, 2020, the Orac Región Chorotega resolves a precautionary measure filed by Mrs. Marianela Pastor, on behalf of the ASADA of Playa Grande, which was notified to the email address [email protected] on August 11, 2020 (reports of the respondent authorities and documentary evidence provided).
III.Regarding the provision of potable water service. One of the most relevant public services is that of potable water supply, since its relationship with the protection of the right to health and to life of individuals is unquestionable. Thus, there is an obligation on the part of the State to guarantee the purity of the liquid for human consumption, as well as the continuity of its supply, as essential elements of the provision of the public service, all with the purpose of protecting the integrity of the users. In our country, the provision of the mentioned public service corresponds to the ICAA, pursuant to subsection a) of Article 2 of Law 2726 of April fourteenth, nineteen sixty-one, without prejudice to the provisions of subsection g) of the indicated article.
IV.Regarding the specific case. From the reports rendered by the respondent authorities, given under oath, with timely warning of the consequences provided in Article 44 of the Ley de la Jurisdicción Constitucional, as well as from the evidence brought to the case file, it is clear that, prior to the ICAA issuing the declaration of a deficient zone (zona deficitaria) for the ASADA of Playa Grande, the Engineering Area of the Orac Región Chorotega carried out the assessment of the technical study presented by said operator called “Proyecto de abastecimiento de agua potable administrado por parte de la Asociación Administradora del acueducto de Playa Grande” and, through memorandum No. GSD-UEN-GAR-2020-02718, dated June 26, 2020, engineer Oscar Ampié Bermúdez resolves not to approve it and points out that, in order to issue a positive technical criterion, the ASADA needs to correct 10 specific points detailed in said memorandum.
These points constitute the following: “1. Water quality analyses for the wells utilized by the ASADA Playa Grande must be provided; Operational Control, and levels N1, N2, and N3. 2. Clarify if the wells are registered with the Dirección de Agua of the MINAE (location coordinates and elevation) and indicate the flow rate for human consumption granted under concession. 3. A 24-hour pumping test for the wells utilized by the ASADA Playa Grande must be provided to determine the real production capacity of each source, preferably in the most critical month of the dry season. 4. Incorporate, into the water balance calculation, the flow rate supplied from the Proyecto Nimboyores, to determine the total real water capacity of the ASADA Playa Grande. 5. Indicate whether the lands where wells and tanks are located are property of the ASADA or of private individuals, additionally provide registry documentation if they are property of the ASADA.
Otherwise, recommend action plans to register the lands in the name of the ASADA. 6. The construction plans must be updated to include recent changes in the pipe network. 7. For eventual improvements to be considered in the hydraulic infrastructure network of the aqueduct, detailed indication must be made in construction plans, pipe anchors if necessary, as well as any culvert crossing detail or others, and reflected in the work budget. 8. In the case of wells that do not have an adequate pump house, recommend their construction, as well as the installation of new control panels, well curb, well apron, components of the discharge pipe to tanks; pressure gauges, valves, etc., and reflect in improvement costs. 9. In the case of lands where wells and tanks are located, recommend a 2m high perimeter cyclone fence with three strands of barbed wire, and reflect in the work budget. 10. In the case of the existing storage tank, the recommendation is the construction of a new tank with sufficient elevation to supply all aqueduct services, so as to eliminate re-pumping, or direct pumping to the network.
Standard ICAA designs may be used.” It is certified that this result of the technical study was communicated to the ASADA of Playa Grande through official letter No. GSD-UEN-GAR-2020-02722, dated June 26, 2020, issued by the reporting official, to the email address [email protected] on June 29, 2020. Likewise, the memorandum by which engineer Ampié Bermúdez makes the declaration of a deficient zone (zona deficitaria) for the ASADA of Playa Grande corresponds to No. GSD-UEN-GAR-2020-02733, dated June 26, 2020, which was communicated to said operator through official letter No. GSD-UEN-GAR-2020-02737, dated June 29, 2020, issued by the reporting official, communicated on June 30, 2020.
In effect, it is inferred that in technical report No. GSD-UEN-GAR-2020-02733, of June 26, 2020, engineer Oscar Ampié Bermúdez determines it necessary to declare the coverage area of the Playa Grande aqueduct as a deficient zone (zona deficitaria), since it does not have proven water capacity to cover future new services, according to official letter No. GSD-UEN-GAR-2020-02718. Furthermore, he recommends not providing certificates of service availability (constancias de disponibilidad de servicio) or certificates of water capacity (constancias de capacidad hídrica), while said condition persists. He clarifies that the deficient zone (zona deficitaria) has a condition of temporality, subject to the execution of works and actions that resolve the needs of the area, proceeding to add the following in support thereof:
“Regarding water capacity, the ASADA must carry out 24-hour pumping tests on the wells that have authorization/concession for human consumption from the Dirección de Agua of the MINAE, to determine the real capacity of each source for evaluation in the system’s water balance.
Additionally, the flow rate from the Proyecto Nimboyores must be incorporated into the water balance calculation, so that the exact total available flow rate can be quantified, for the provision of potable water service to the aqueduct users in the present time and in the future (25 years).
Additionally, it is determined in official letter/minute CTI-002-2018, the management of the water resource, and the recommendation against the excessive exploitation of the aquifers included in the Potrero-Caimital-Huacas-Tamarindo area, in which case it is not recommended to increase the levels of utilization through the granting of water availabilities (disponibilidades de agua) to new Projects or urban developments, nor to lots that are within existing urban developments, and nor to lots resulting from the subdivision (fraccionamiento) of a single property. Only low consumption is permitted for a single-family dwelling (vivienda unifamiliar) or an unavoidable need (necesidad insoslayable) such as permanent public needs like educational centers, police stations, health centers, and transitory public activities duly authorized by the competent entity.
However, despite what is described in minute CTI-002-2018, with the Technical Study provided, the water capacity of the aqueduct is not demonstrated with certainty, so as to grant new services of the single-family dwelling (vivienda unifamiliar) or unavoidable need (necesidad insoslayable) type. Therefore, provisionally, it is also not recommended to grant service availability (disponibilidad de servicios) of this type, so as not to compromise the provision of potable water service to the existing services of the ASADA, unless the contrary is demonstrated.” It is against the declaration of a deficient zone (zona deficitaria) for the aqueduct administered by the ASADA of Playa Grande that the appellant, in her capacity as President of that Association, expresses disagreement. She says that the governing body is attempting to apply the conditions and guidelines of a restriction zone (zona de restricción) to a deficient zone (zona deficitaria), as if they were the same and without complying with the formalities provided in its own regulations for the purpose of safeguarding the right of defense and due administrative procedure.
It also results in a restriction on the potable water supply service provided by the respondent institution through a delegation agreement, the foregoing, without having fulfilled the substantive and formal requirements for that act that could produce the pertinent enforceability and executability effects. She assures that the respondent institute ordered the suspension of the approval of water availability certificates (constancias de disponibilidad de agua), water capacity certificates (constancias de capacidad hídrica), and new services; however, it was not through a reasoned resolution, but through a simple letter that was not even addressed to the ASADA. She considers that maintaining the effects of the declaration of a deficient zone (zona deficitaria) and the act of suspending the granting of certificates of service availability (constancias de disponibilidad de servicios) and water capacity (capacidad hídrica) constitutes a threat to the fundamental right of access to potable water of the local inhabitants.
She requests that it be granted and that the respondents be “ordered to immediately carry out the pertinent actions to nullify the declaration of a restriction zone (zona de restricción) that affects the territorial jurisdiction of this operating entity or, should such restriction be maintained, to allow the granting of certificates of service availability (constancias de disponibilidad de servicios) for individual housing units and individual commerce, as provided in the current regulations.” It is inadmissible to hear the disagreement with such declaration, since this Chamber is not a controller of the legality of the Administration’s actions or resolutions, so it is not within its purview to review whether the order emanating from considering the coverage area of the Playa Grande aqueduct as a deficient zone (zona deficitaria) is appropriate or not, in accordance with the current infraconstitutional regulations, as it is deemed that it lacks proven water capacity to cover future new services, much less whether it corresponds to grant availability (disponibilidad) for new potable water services as demanded, since these are matters of ordinary legality.
It is noted that the amparo appeal is, essentially, a summary process. Consequently, when it is necessary to review various administrative actions – procedures and formal acts that translate and materialize into an administrative file – the matter ceases to be subject to amparo, since one must resort to a plenary cognition process, that is, a full knowledge process, which can only be substantiated before the ordinary jurisdiction. The amparo is not designed to contrast or review technical or legal criteria issued in light of the infraconstitutional legal order or to evacuate new elements of conviction to contrast existing ones, as would be the case with the aqueduct of interest. Note that the respondent authorities report that the technical criterion issued is maintained because, to date, the ASADA of Playa Grande has not presented to the ICAA any proof demonstrating the water capacity of its system, which denotes that fundamentally it is a probative matter.
Added to the fact that it has not been possible to determine any harm or threat to the fundamental right of access to potable water of the local inhabitants, as the appellant states, since it has been reported that the service continues to be provided to its subscribers, given that the restriction is not for current service, but for the growth of possible single-family dwellings (viviendas unifamiliares), which is the only growth permitted for the entire area. Consequently, the appellant must, if she deems it appropriate, raise her arguments before the respondent authorities themselves (as it is indicated she did through the filing of ordinary appeals that have already been resolved) or, failing that, in the ordinary jurisdictional route, venues where she may broadly discuss the merits of the matter and assert her claims.
V.That said, the authorities of the ICAA must take the pertinent measures in order to assist the ASADA of Playa Grande in the process they initiated to resolve a future problem of water shortage. In a way that allows – within a reasonable time – not only to lift the deficient zone (zona deficitaria) status, but also the issuance of the water availability letters (cartas de disponibilidad de agua) that are required. The foregoing in compliance with Article 50 of the Political Constitution, added by Article 1 of Law No. 9849, of June 5, 2020, "Reconocer y garantizar el derecho humano de acceso al agua", published in La Gaceta #159, of July 2, 2020 (Article 50. Every person has the human, basic, and inalienable right of access to potable water, as an essential good for life. Water is a good of the nation, indispensable to protect such a human right. Its use, protection, sustainability, conservation, and exploitation shall be governed by what is established by the law that shall be created for these purposes and the supply of potable water for consumption by persons and populations shall have priority).
VI.Conclusion. For the reasons stated and since any infringement of fundamental rights to the detriment of the appellant or her represented party is ruled out, the pertinent action is to dismiss the amparo appeal in its entirety, as is indeed ordered.
VII.Documentation provided to the case file. The parties are warned that, if they have provided any paper document, as well as objects or evidence contained in any additional electronic, computer, magnetic, optical, telematic device or one produced by new technologies, these must be withdrawn from the office within a maximum period of thirty business days counted from the notification of this judgment. Otherwise, all material not withdrawn within this period will be destroyed, according to the provisions of the "Reglamento sobre Expediente Electrónico ante el Poder Judicial", approved by the Corte Plena in Session No. 27-11 of August 22, 2011, Article XXVI and published in the Boletín Judicial No. 19 of January 26, 2012, as well as in the agreement approved by the Consejo Superior del Poder Judicial, in Session No. 43-12 held on May 3, 2012, Article LXXXI.
Por tanto: The appeal is declared without merit. The respondent authorities take note of what is indicated in Considerando V of this judgment.
Fernando Castillo V.
Paul Rueda L.
Nancy Hernández L.
Luis Fdo. Salazar A.
Jorge Araya G.
Anamari Garro V.
Ana María Picado B.
*3Z47RUTKQVTG61* Clasificación elaborada por SALA CONSTITUCIONALdel Poder Judicial. Prohibida su reproducción y/o distribución en forma onerosa.
Control constitucional: Sentencia desestimatoria Sentencia con datos protegidos, de conformidad con la normativa vigente Contenido de Interés:
Tipo de contenido: Voto de mayoría Rama del Derecho: 4. ASUNTOS DE GARANTÍA Tema: SERVICIOS PÚBLICOS Subtemas:
AGUA POTABLE.
012084-21. ANTE LA SUSPENSIÓN DE NUEVOS SERVICIOS DE AGUA POTABLE Y SOBRE EL ESTADO DE ZONA DEFICITARIA EN CUANTO A LA DISPONIBILIDAD DE AGUA EN PLAYA GRANDE, SE INDICA QUE, DEBERÁN LAS AUTORIDADES DEL ICAA, COADYUVAR A LA ASADA, EN EL PROCESO DEL SOLVENTAR EL FUTURO PROBLEMA DE FALTANTE DE AGUA EN EL LUGAR. SE DECLARA SIN LUGAR EL RECURSO.
Uno de los servicios públicos de mayor relevancia, es el del suministro de agua potable, pues la relación que el mismo tiene con la protección del derecho a la salud y a la vida de las personas, es incuestionable. De este modo, existe una obligación por parte del Estado de garantizar la pureza del líquido para consumo humano, así como la continuidad en el suministro de éste, como elementos esenciales de la prestación del servicio público, todo ello con el fin de proteger la integridad de los usuarios.
LBH07/21 ... Ver más Contenido de Interés:
Tipo de contenido: Voto de mayoría Rama del Derecho: 4. ASUNTOS DE GARANTÍA Tema: SERVICIOS PÚBLICOS Subtemas:
SUSPENSION.
012084-21. ANTE LA SUSPENSIÓN DE NUEVOS SERVICIOS DE AGUA POTABLE Y SOBRE EL ESTADO DE ZONA DEFICITARIA EN CUANTO A LA DISPONIBILIDAD DE AGUA EN PLAYA GRANDE, SE INDICA QUE, DEBERÁN LAS AUTORIDADES DEL ICAA, COADYUVAR A LA ASADA, EN EL PROCESO DEL SOLVENTAR EL FUTURO PROBLEMA DE FALTANTE DE AGUA EN EL LUGAR. SE DECLARA SIN LUGAR EL RECURSO.
Uno de los servicios públicos de mayor relevancia, es el del suministro de agua potable, pues la relación que el mismo tiene con la protección del derecho a la salud y a la vida de las personas, es incuestionable. De este modo, existe una obligación por parte del Estado de garantizar la pureza del líquido para consumo humano, así como la continuidad en el suministro de éste, como elementos esenciales de la prestación del servicio público, todo ello con el fin de proteger la integridad de los usuarios.
LBH07/21 ... Ver más Contenido de Interés:
Tipo de contenido: Voto de mayoría Rama del Derecho: 4. ASUNTOS DE GARANTÍA Tema: SERVICIOS PÚBLICOS Subtemas:
SERVICIOS BASICOS.
012084-21. ANTE LA SUSPENSIÓN DE NUEVOS SERVICIOS DE AGUA POTABLE Y SOBRE EL ESTADO DE ZONA DEFICITARIA EN CUANTO A LA DISPONIBILIDAD DE AGUA EN PLAYA GRANDE, SE INDICA QUE, DEBERÁN LAS AUTORIDADES DEL ICAA, COADYUVAR A LA ASADA, EN EL PROCESO DEL SOLVENTAR EL FUTURO PROBLEMA DE FALTANTE DE AGUA EN EL LUGAR. SE DECLARA SIN LUGAR EL RECURSO.
Uno de los servicios públicos de mayor relevancia, es el del suministro de agua potable, pues la relación que el mismo tiene con la protección del derecho a la salud y a la vida de las personas, es incuestionable. De este modo, existe una obligación por parte del Estado de garantizar la pureza del líquido para consumo humano, así como la continuidad en el suministro de éste, como elementos esenciales de la prestación del servicio público, todo ello con el fin de proteger la integridad de los usuarios.
LBH07/21 ... Ver más Contenido de Interés:
Tipo de contenido: Voto de mayoría Rama del Derecho: 4. ASUNTOS DE GARANTÍA Tema: SUJETO DE DERECHO PRIVADO Subtemas:
QUEJA.
012084-21. ANTE LA SUSPENSIÓN DE NUEVOS SERVICIOS DE AGUA POTABLE Y SOBRE EL ESTADO DE ZONA DEFICITARIA EN CUANTO A LA DISPONIBILIDAD DE AGUA EN PLAYA GRANDE, SE INDICA QUE, DEBERÁN LAS AUTORIDADES DEL ICAA, COADYUVAR A LA ASADA, EN EL PROCESO DEL SOLVENTAR EL FUTURO PROBLEMA DE FALTANTE DE AGUA EN EL LUGAR. SE DECLARA SIN LUGAR EL RECURSO.
Es improcedente conocer la inconformidad por tal declaratoria, pues esta Sala no es un contralor de la legalidad de las actuaciones o resoluciones de la Administración, de modo que no le compete revisar si procede o no, de conformidad con la normativa infraconstitucional vigente, la orden emanada de considerar la zona de cobertura del acueducto de Playa Grande como zona deficitaria, ya que se estima que no cuenta con capacidad hídrica comprobada para dar cobertura a futuros nuevos servicios, mucho menos si corresponde otorgar disponibilidad de nuevos servicios de agua potable como se demanda, pues se trata de cuestiones de legalidad común. Se advierte que el recurso de amparo es, esencialmente, un proceso sumario. Consecuentemente, cuando es menester revisar diversas actuaciones administrativas –procedimientos y actos formales que se traducen y materializan en un expediente administrativo- el asunto deja de ser materia del amparo, por cuanto, debe acudirse a un proceso de cognición plenaria, sea un proceso de conocimiento pleno, que solo es posible sustanciarlo ante la jurisdicción ordinaria.
LBH07/21 ... Ver más Contenido de Interés:
Tipo de contenido: Voto de mayoría Rama del Derecho: 4. ASUNTOS DE GARANTÍA Tema: ASOCIACIÓN Subtemas:
QUEJA.
012084-21. ANTE LA SUSPENSIÓN DE NUEVOS SERVICIOS DE AGUA POTABLE Y SOBRE EL ESTADO DE ZONA DEFICITARIA EN CUANTO A LA DISPONIBILIDAD DE AGUA EN PLAYA GRANDE, SE INDICA QUE, DEBERÁN LAS AUTORIDADES DEL ICAA, COADYUVAR A LA ASADA, EN EL PROCESO DEL SOLVENTAR EL FUTURO PROBLEMA DE FALTANTE DE AGUA EN EL LUGAR. SE DECLARA SIN LUGAR EL RECURSO.
Es improcedente conocer la inconformidad por tal declaratoria, pues esta Sala no es un contralor de la legalidad de las actuaciones o resoluciones de la Administración, de modo que no le compete revisar si procede o no, de conformidad con la normativa infraconstitucional vigente, la orden emanada de considerar la zona de cobertura del acueducto de Playa Grande como zona deficitaria, ya que se estima que no cuenta con capacidad hídrica comprobada para dar cobertura a futuros nuevos servicios, mucho menos si corresponde otorgar disponibilidad de nuevos servicios de agua potable como se demanda, pues se trata de cuestiones de legalidad común. Se advierte que el recurso de amparo es, esencialmente, un proceso sumario. Consecuentemente, cuando es menester revisar diversas actuaciones administrativas –procedimientos y actos formales que se traducen y materializan en un expediente administrativo- el asunto deja de ser materia del amparo, por cuanto, debe acudirse a un proceso de cognición plenaria, sea un proceso de conocimiento pleno, que solo es posible sustanciarlo ante la jurisdicción ordinaria.
LBH07/21 ... Ver más *210002450007CO* SALA CONSTITUCIONAL DE LA CORTE SUPREMA DE JUSTICIA. San José, a las ocho horas treinta minutos del veintiocho de mayo de dos mil veintiuno . Recurso de amparo interpuesto por [Nombre 001], mayor, divorciada, Presidenta de la asociación amparada, cédula de identidad No. [Valor 001] , a favor de la Asociación de Acueducto y Alcantarillado Sanitario Vecinos de Playa Grande, cédula jurídica No. 3002223050, contra el Director de la UEN Gestión de ASADAS y la Jefa de la Oficina de Atención de ASADAS de la Región Chorotega, ambos del Instituto Costarricense de Acueductos y Alcantarillados. Resultando: 1.- Por escrito recibido en la Secretaría de la Sala a las 15:28 horas del 06 de enero de 2021, la recurrente interpone recurso de amparo contra el Director de la UEN Gestión de ASADAS y la Jefa de la Oficina de Atención de ASADAS de la Región Chorotega, ambos del Instituto Costarricense de Acueductos y Alcantarillados (ICAA) y expresa que el 07 de agosto de 2010, el ICAA y la Asociación de Acueducto y Alcantarillado Sanitario Vecinos de Playa Grande (ASADA de Playa Grande) firmaron el convenio de delegación para la administración, operación, mantenimiento y desarrollo del acueducto y alcantarillado sanitario de Tempate de Santa Cruz, Guanacaste.
Relata que se instauró el proyecto Acueducto Nimboyores, que consistió en la explotación de 188.8 l/s del acuífero Nimboyores, a fin de abastecer de agua potable a la zona de Santa Cruz, desde Potrero hasta Tamarindo. Indica que para el tercer trimestre de 2017 inició la construcción del acueducto costero de Santa Cruz y a mediados de 2019 se inauguró la primera etapa, con una producción de 60 l/s, de las cuales 40 l/s fueron destinados para abastecer los sistemas de ASADAS, entre ellas, la de Playa Grande, a la que se le asignó un caudal de 4 l/s. Agrega que mediante acuerdo No. 2017-307, la Junta Directiva del ICAA aprobó el "Convenio para la construcción, operación, administración y mantenimiento del Acueducto Costero de Santa Cruz, entre el Instituto Costarricense de Acueductos y Alcantarillados y las ASADAS de Tempate; Santa Rosa y Guatemala; La Garita de Santa Cruz; Matapalo de Santa Cruz; Playa Tamarindo de Santa Cruz; Surfside (Playa Potrero); Playa Brasilito; Playa Potrero de Tempate; Villarreal de Santa Cruz; Lomas de Matapalo; Mar de cabo Velas", firmado el 24 de julio de 2017.
Expone que, de conformidad con la cláusula segunda del citado convenio, se estableció un caudal con capacidad aproximada de 60 l/s en total de los tres pozos asignados al proyecto, de los cuales a la ASADA de Playa Grande le correspondía un caudal de 4 l/s en la primera etapa del proyecto. Acota que, mediante correo electrónico del 29 de junio de 2020, el ICAA comunicó a la ASADA de Playa Grande el oficio GSD-UEN-GAR-2020-02722 del 26 de junio de 2020, suscrito por la UEN Gestión de Acueductos Rurales. Explica que dicho documento remitió al memorando GSD-UEN-GAR-2020-02718 del 26 de junio de 2020 que fue dirigido a la UEN Gestión de Acueductos Rurales. Alega que por medio de correo electrónico del 1° de julio de 2020 se reiteró lo señalado en el oficio GSD-UEN-GAR-2020-02733 y se ordenó que no se podían aprobar nuevas solicitudes de disponibilidad de servicios. Explica que mediante los oficios GSD-UEN-GAR-2020-02722 y GSD-UEN-GAR-2020-02737, emitidos con base en los memorandos GSD-UEN-GAR-2020-02718 y GSD-UEN-GAR-2020-02733, se emitió la declaratoria de zona deficitaria y la "orden disfrazada de recomendación" de suspender el otorgamiento de constancias de disponibilidad de servicios y capacidad hídrica, así como el rechazo de un estudio técnico.
Sostiene que lo anterior deviene en una restricción al servicio de abastecimiento de agua potable que brinda la institución accionada por medio de un convenio de delegación, lo anterior, sin haberse cumplido los requisitos de fondo y forma para ese acto que pudiese surtir los efectos ejecutividad y ejecutoriedad pertinentes. Asegura que el instituto accionado ordenó suspender la aprobación de constancias de disponibilidad de agua, constancias de capacidad hídrica y nuevos servicios; empero, no fue a través de una resolución fundamentada, sino mediante un simple oficio que ni siquiera iba dirigido a la ASADA. Arguye que para tales efectos no se indicó un número de expediente, por lo que se desconoce si existió alguna resolución administrativa, aunado a que la UEN Gestión de Acueductos Rurales no es la competente para disponer la suspensión del otorgamiento de constancias de disponibilidad de nuevos servicios.
Enuncia que la autoridad accionada cuestionó la capacidad hídrica, pese a que desde el 2013, como parte del proyecto Nimboyores, se efectuó un análisis técnico del ente rector del ICAA que determinó un caudal favorable hasta el 2030. Discrepa que se concluyó la falta de capacidad hídrica sin contemplar el caudal asignado por la institución como parte del Acueducto Costero de Santa Cruz y el acuífero Nimboyores. Asegura que se pretende generar una restricción absoluta y sin motivación de acceder al servicio de agua potable, ya que en las zonas deficitarias solo se pueden brindar constancias y servicios para viviendas unifamiliares y comercios individuales. Cuestiona que se requirió el criterio del CTI, como condición para levantar la suspensión aludida, aduciendo un supuesto aumento de caudal; sin embargo, externa que al contemplarse en caudal asignado de Nimboyores, no existiría necesidad de aumento no de acudir al CTI.
Debate que se solicitó información sobre la asignación de caudales, cuando tales datos deben estar en poder de la propia institución, pues ha sido brindada en otras ocasiones y puede ser corroborada en el sitio oficial del Registro Público. Discute que se pretenda realizar una prueba de bombeo en plena época lluviosa sin tomar en cuenta que mensualmente se ejecuta un monitoreo del acuífero, por lo que se estaría suspendiendo de manera absoluta el otorgamiento de constancias y nuevos servicios hasta poder realizar una prueba de bombeo en estiaje. Indica que el 3 de julio de 2020 se interpuso un recurso de revocatoria con apelación en subsidio y nulidad concomitante absoluta, así como una solicitud de medida cautelar ante causam contra la declaratoria de zona deficitaria y recomendación de suspender el otorgamiento de constancias de disponibilidad de servicios y capacidad hídrica. Acusa que, ante la falta de resolución de tal gestión, se planteó una solicitud de pronto despacho, a la cual se adjuntó el memorando SUB-G-GSC-UEN-GA-2014-79 del 29 de enero de 2014.
Señala que como prueba para mejor resolver se aportó la resolución administrativa DA-0278-2015-AGUAS-MINAE del 13 de febrero de 2015 que estableció el otorgamiento e inscripción en el Registro Nacional de Concesiones de Agua y Cauce de 8.455 l/s a favor de la ASADA amparada. Menciona que mediante resolución administrativa No. 2 de las 15:15 horas del 7 de agosto de 2020, la Oficina Regional de Acueductos Comunales-Región Chorotega del ICAA adujo, respecto a la medida solicitada, que, a pesar de la prueba aportada, los argumentos esgrimidos y fundamentos de derecho alegados, no concurrían en su totalidad los presupuestos necesarios para ser acogida. Adiciona que por medio de la resolución administrativa No. 3 de las 08:30 horas del 24 de agosto de 2020, la citada oficina declaró sin lugar el recurso de apelación y el incidente de nulidad en perjuicio del derecho del acceso al agua de los usuarios de la ASADA de Playa Grande.
Además, se elevó la apelación en alzada al superior en grado, para la respectiva resolución. Reitera que mantener los efectos de la declaratoria de zona deficitaria y el hecho de suspender el otorgamiento de constancias de disponibilidad de servicios y capacidad hídrica, constituye una amenaza al derecho fundamental del acceso al agua potable de los pobladores del lugar. Asimismo, estima que lo descrito atenta contra los principios rectores de los servicios públicos, tales como eficiencia y coordinación. También considera que lo argüido deviene contrario al derecho al buen funcionamiento de los servicios públicos y al principio de legalidad. Solicita que se declare con lugar el recurso. 2.- Mediante resolución de las 12:58 horas del 08 de enero de 2021, la Presidencia de la Sala dio curso a este amparo y se le solicitó informe al Director de la UEN Gestión de Acueductos Rurales, al Director de la UEN de ASADAS, al Director de la Región Chorotega y al Jefe de la Oficina Regional de Acueductos Comunales de la Región Chorotega, todos del ICAA, sobre los hechos alegados por la recurrente. 3.- Informa bajo juramento Liany Alfaro García, en su condición de Jefa de la Oficina de Atención de ASADAS de la Región Chorotega del ICAA (escrito presentado a las 14:38 horas del 15 de enero de 2021), que aclara que no rinde informe el Director Regional de la Región Chorotega debido a que dicha dependencia no tiene competencia en la atención de ASADAS y no ha sido presentada gestión alguna sobre el presente caso ante sus oficinas, tal como lo confirma el oficio No. GSP-RCHO-2021-00073, de fecha 13 de enero de 2021.
La atención de asuntos concernientes a las ASADAS corresponde a la ORAC Región Chorotega o a la Subgerencia de Gestión Sistemas Comunales. Además, la UEN Gestión de Acueductos Rurales y la UEN de ASADAS son la misma dependencia y el Director es el señor José Rodolfo Ramírez Villalba, quien se encuentra disfrutando de sus vacaciones legales y, por ende, estará confirmando este informe en el momento en que se incorpore a sus labores a partir del 18 de enero de 2021. Tal como refiere el memorando No. GSD-UEN-GAR-2021-00193, de fecha 15 de enero de 2021, emitido por el funcionario Sebastián Martínez Arias, promotor social de la Orac Región Chorotega, el 01 de julio de 2020 se envió correo electrónico a la ASADA de Playa Grande, reiterando lo indicado en el oficio GSD-UEN-GAR-2020-02733, de fecha 26 de junio de 2020, emitido por el Ing. Oscar Ampié Bermúdez del Área de Ingeniería de la Orac Región Chorotega y el cual fue recibido por la ASADA el 30 de junio de 2020.
No obstante, el comunicado electrónico al que refiere la señora [Nombre 002] no contenía ningún documento adjunto, tal como se desprende de la prueba No.1 aportada por la recurrente, quien, al parecer, en sus hechos realiza una mezcla de documentos y correos electrónicos. El correo electrónico en mención indicaba: “Buenos días estimadas y estimados miembros de la Junta Directiva de la ASADA Playa Grande. Les escribo para reiterar el tema expuesto en el oficio GSD-UEN-GAR-2020-02733. La declaración de zona deficitaria quiere decir que no se pueden aprobar nuevas solicitudes de disponibilidad de servicios y por ende no se pueden brindar nuevos servicios. Esto aplica a partir del día 30 de junio de 2020. Si antes de esta fecha se dieron disponibilidades las mismas tienen validez y se debe asumir los nuevos servicios que se indicaron en las disponibilidades. Se repite, esto aplica a partir del 30 de junio, no pueden darse nuevas disponibilidades de servicio posterior a esta fecha.
La condición de zona deficitaria es temporal, y se deben basar en las recomendaciones brindadas en el oficio para poder levantar la condición”. Es necesario aclarar que, de previo a que el ICAA emitiera la declaratoria de zona deficitaria a la ASADA de Playa Grande, el Área de Ingeniería de la Orac Región Chorotega realizó la valoración del estudio técnico presentado por dicho operador denominado “Proyecto de abastecimiento de agua potable administrado por parte de la Asociación Administradora del acueducto de Playa Grande” y mediante memorando No. GSD-UEN-GAR-2020-02718, de fecha 26 de junio de 2020, el ingeniero Oscar Ampié Bermúdez resuelve no aprobarlo y señala que, para poder emitir un criterio técnico positivo, la ASADA requiere subsanar 10 puntos específicos debidamente detallados en dicho memorando (ver prueba No. 4). Este resultado del estudio técnico le fue comunicado a la ASADA de Playa Grande mediante oficio No. GSD-UEN-GAR-2020-02722 (ver anexo No. 2 de la prueba No.
Fernando Castillo V.
Paul Rueda L.
Nancy Hernández L.
Luis Fdo. Salazar A.
Jorge Araya G.
Anamari Garro V.
Ana María Picado B.
*3Z47RUTKQVTG61* Clasificación elaborada por SALA CONSTITUCIONALdel Poder Judicial. Prohibida su reproducción y/o distribución en forma onerosa.
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