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Res. 06271-2024 Sala Constitucional · Sala Constitucional · 08/03/2024
OutcomeResultado
The Chamber denied the claim because the contamination had already been addressed in another judgment, chlorothalonil had been prohibited, and the alleged inadequacy of the alternative water supply was not specifically proven.La Sala rechazó el amparo porque la contaminación ya había sido atendida en otro fallo, el clorotalonil había sido prohibido y no se probó concretamente que el abastecimiento alternativo de agua fuera insuficiente.
SummaryResumen
The Constitutional Chamber denied a claim filed by a resident of La Puente, Cipreses de Oreamuno, alleging spring-water contamination by chlorothalonil metabolites, resulting health risks, and inadequate tanker-truck supplies. The Chamber found that contamination affecting the water sources had already been addressed in judgment No. 2023-013384, which granted a separate constitutional claim and ordered implementation of technical measures, provision of safe drinking water without using contaminated sources, and development of a permanent solution. Moreover, while this proceeding was pending, Executive Decree No. 44280-S was published, prohibiting chlorothalonil use in Costa Rica; consequently, the request to review and ban the pesticide had become moot. Regarding rationing and tanker supplies, the claimant did not identify specific locations, dates, or concrete service omissions and presented insufficient evidence of a current violation of fundamental rights. For those reasons, the Chamber denied the constitutional claim.La Sala Constitucional rechazó el recurso promovido por una vecina de La Puente, Cipreses de Oreamuno, quien denunció contaminación de nacientes con metabolitos de clorotalonil, riesgos para la salud y un abastecimiento insuficiente mediante cisternas. La Sala determinó que la problemática de contaminación de las fuentes de agua ya había sido abordada en el voto n.º 2023-013384, que declaró con lugar otro amparo y ordenó adoptar medidas técnicas, garantizar agua potable sin utilizar fuentes contaminadas y buscar una solución definitiva. Además, durante la tramitación de este expediente se publicó el Decreto Ejecutivo n.º 44280-S, que prohibió el uso del clorotalonil en Costa Rica, por lo que la pretensión de revisar y prohibir el agroquímico perdió objeto. En cuanto a los racionamientos y cisternas, la recurrente no precisó lugares, fechas u omisiones concretas ni aportó prueba suficiente para acreditar una vulneración actual de derechos fundamentales. Por esas razones, el recurso fue declarado sin lugar.
Key excerptExtracto clave
In this regard, the claimant states that the tanker trucks are insufficient; however, she does not state precisely and in greater detail the reasons for her assertion, the sector of the community in which service is inefficient or entirely unavailable, the specific days on which such omissions occurred, or provide evidence establishing a violation of her fundamental rights. Accordingly, this aspect of the claim must be dismissed. The claim is denied.En este sentido, la parte recurrente indica que los camiones cisternas son insuficientes, sin embargo, no señala de manera precisa y con más detalle, los motivos de su afirmación, en qué sector de la comunidad se presenta un servicio ineficiente o no se brinda del todo, los días precisos en que se han dado tales omisiones, ni aporta prueba que permita acreditar la vulneración de sus derechos fundamentales. Así las cosas, en cuanto a tal extremo el recurso debe ser desestimado. Se declara sin lugar el recurso.
Pull quotesCitas destacadas
"Así las cosas, en cuanto a dicho extremo el recurso debe ser desestimado."
"Accordingly, that aspect of the claim must be dismissed."
Considerando IV
"Así las cosas, en cuanto a dicho extremo el recurso debe ser desestimado."
Considerando IV
"Por su parte, el Presidente y Apoderado Generalísimo sin límite de suma de la Asociación de Acueducto de Cipreses de Oreamuno de Cartago informó que el 30 de noviembre de 2023 se publicó en el Diario Oficial La Gaceta No. 223, alcance 237, el Decreto Ejecutivo No. 44280-S en donde se prohibió el uso de clorotalonil en Costa Rica."
"The President and general attorney-in-fact without monetary limitation of the Cipreses de Oreamuno Water Association reported that Executive Decree No. 44280-S, prohibiting the use of chlorothalonil in Costa Rica, was published on November 30, 2023, in Official Gazette No. 223, supplement 237."
Considerando IV
"Por su parte, el Presidente y Apoderado Generalísimo sin límite de suma de la Asociación de Acueducto de Cipreses de Oreamuno de Cartago informó que el 30 de noviembre de 2023 se publicó en el Diario Oficial La Gaceta No. 223, alcance 237, el Decreto Ejecutivo No. 44280-S en donde se prohibió el uso de clorotalonil en Costa Rica."
Considerando IV
"En mérito de lo anterior, como los problemas por la presencia de metabolitos del agroquímico Clorotalonil en las nacientes que abastecen a la ASADA de Santa Rosa de Oreamuno de Cartago, ya esta Sala resolvió declarar con lugar el recurso, de manera que lo que procede en este expediente es acoger el amparo y remitir al recurrente a lo ahí resuelto."
"In view of the foregoing, because this Chamber had already granted a claim concerning the presence of metabolites of the pesticide chlorothalonil in the springs supplying the Santa Rosa de Oreamuno Water Association in Cartago, the appropriate course in that proceeding was to grant relief and refer the claimant to what had already been ordered."
Referencia al voto n.º 2023-013384
"En mérito de lo anterior, como los problemas por la presencia de metabolitos del agroquímico Clorotalonil en las nacientes que abastecen a la ASADA de Santa Rosa de Oreamuno de Cartago, ya esta Sala resolvió declarar con lugar el recurso, de manera que lo que procede en este expediente es acoger el amparo y remitir al recurrente a lo ahí resuelto."
Referencia al voto n.º 2023-013384
Full documentDocumento completo
Document Review Decision No. 2024006271 CONSTITUTIONAL CHAMBER OF THE SUPREME COURT OF JUSTICE. San José, at nine fifteen a.m. on March 8, 2024.
Constitutional rights action (recurso de amparo) filed by [Nombre01 001], identity card [Valor CED02], against the MINISTRY OF HEALTH.
WHEREAS:
The objectives of this report are divided into addressing three important tasks: i. Define the water requirements for drinking and food preparation for the population of the communities served by the Cipreses Water Supply System (Acueducto de Cipreses). ii. Establish the operational logistics for supplying the population by means of tanker trucks and designating strategic collection points for refilling supplemental storage facilities. iii. Justify keeping the water supply system in operation for domestic use, given that shutting it down completely would pose a health risk by depriving households of in-home service …” sic The following conclusions are stated verbatim: “… 4. Conclusions Based on the available information analyzed regarding the Acueducto de Cipreses and the estimates made of the water required for drinking and food preparation by its population, the following conclusions have been reached: i. Taking into account the information collected regarding the amount of water necessary to meet the various water needs associated with human activities, a total of 20 Litros per inhabitant per day (l/h/d) is used as the reference requirement for drinking and food-preparation activities. ii.
The Acueducto de Cipreses de Oreamuno currently supplies a total of ±1424 service connections, according to data from the technical study conducted by CIVCO, which is equivalent to an approximate population of ±5890 people. If we take into account the allocation established in the preceding point, we can determine that an average volume of ±173 m3 is required to meet the drinking and food needs of the residents of Cipreses. iii. Considering the different sectors supplied by the Acueducto de Cipreses de Oreamuno, 9 possible locations are identified for the placement of storage tanks of ±5 m3, which would be filled by tanker trucks. This number of tanks would be equivalent to a total of 45 m3, the volume required by the community’s service centers and public-service facilities. iv. Under the foregoing proposal, approximately 4 tanker trucks with capacities of 10 or 12 m3, depending on vehicle availability, would be required to fill the 9 storage tanks and perform the water-hauling operations.
It is important to note that the estimated volume is daily; therefore, in theory, the tanks should be filled daily. However, this could vary depending on the population’s use of these distribution points. v. Water supplied through the distribution network of the Acueducto de Cipreses de Oreamuno may continue to be used for cleaning, washing, waste disposal, etc., provided that such activities do not involve human consumption or food handling. vi. It is recommended that the system remain in operation for domestic water use, since otherwise a serious public-health and basic-sanitation access problem would arise. vii. It is important to bear in mind that this solution has a purpose and operation subject to the temporary nature of supplying water to the community by tanker trucks, since a permanent solution must be proposed to ensure the quality of the services provided to the users and beneficiaries of the Acueductos de Cipreses…” sic In addition to the foregoing, through inspection visits conducted to follow up on compliance with the sanitary orders (ordenes sanitarias), this Área Rectora de Salud has verified the distribution of potable water by tanker truck, the refilling of storage tanks, and the home delivery of potable water by means of a pickup truck equipped with a small tank to the population supplied by the ASADA de Cipreses de Oreamuno.
This situation can be verified through inspection records 06-2022 (folio 02351), 08-2022, 09-2022(folios 02376 al 02377), 10-2022 (folio 02395), 11-2022, 12-2022, 13-2022 (folios 02417 al 02420), 14-2022, 15-2022 (folio 02478), 16-2022, 17-2022, 18-2022, 19-2022, 20-2022, 21-2022 (folios 02531 al 02536), 23-2022, 24-2022-1, 24-2022-2 (folios 02636 al 02638), 01-2023, 02-2023, 03-2023 (folios 02729 al 02731), 04-2023, 05-2023 (folios 02775 al 02776), 06-2023 (folio 02833), 07-2023 (folio 03034), 08-2023, 09-2023 (folios 03083 al 03084), 10-2023, 11-2023 and 12-2023, and technical reports MS-DRRSCE-DARSOIT- 0489-2022 (folio 02361), MS-DRRSCE-DARSO-IT-0490-2022 (folios 02379 al 02381), MS-DRRSCE-DARSO-IT-0493-2022 (folios 02404 al 02406), MS-DRRSCEDARSO- IT-0498-2022 (folios 02479 al 02480), MS-DRRSCE-DARSO-IT-0504-2022 (Folios 02540 al 02544), MS-DRRSCE-DARSO-IT-0567-2022 (folios 02659 al 02661), MS-DRRSCE-DARSO-IT-0085-2023 (folios 02732 al 02736), MS-DRRSCEDARSO- IT-0110-2023 (folios 02777 al 02780), MS-DRRSCE-DARSO-IT-0188-2023 (folio 02837), MS-DRRSCE-DARSO-IT-00381-2023 (folios 03035 al 03036), MSDRRSCE-DARSO-IT-00434-2023 (folios 03085 al 03087), MS-DRRSCE-DARSO-IT- 00439-2023 (folios 03090 al 03093) MS-DRRSCE-DARSO-IT-00501-2023 (folios 03106 al 03111), and official communication MS-DRRSCE-DARSO-0744-2023 (Folios 03096 al 03097).
It should be noted that during an inspection visit conducted at the ASADA de Cipreses on 06 de marzo del 2023, as described in Inspection Record 04-2023 and technical report MS-DRRSCE-DARSO-IT-0110-2023 (folios 02777 al 02780), the following conclusions and recommendations were stated verbatim: “… CONCLUSIONS 1. Two female residents of the La Puente sector were interviewed, including the wife of Nombre04, and they stated that neither the tanker truck nor the ASADA de Cipreses pickup truck travels along that street to provide potable-water service. It was verified at that location that the road is in good condition; however, it is very steep, making it difficult for people to carry potable water from the Church to their homes. 2. When interviewed, the administrator of the ASADA de Cipreses, Licda. Sonia Aguilar, stated that they had not distributed water using the pickup truck for approximately two months. 3.
According to the ASADA de Cipreses case file, since this water supply system was notified of the presence of degradation products from the fungicide Clorotalonil, and of the directives issued by the Office stating that water from the Nombre02 and Nombre03 sources could not be used for human consumption, food preparation, or personal-hygiene activities as a precautionary principle (principio precautorio), the ASADA used the pickup truck and small tank to distribute potable water to the sectors inaccessible to the tanker truck, thereby ensuring access to potable water for all subscribers. 4. AyA continues to provide daily and uninterrupted potable-water distribution service by tanker truck at the designated points where self-consumption tanks are available, in compliance with the orders issued by this Ministry through sanitary orders MS-DRRSCEDARSO- OS-0088-2022, MS-DRRSCE-DARSO-OS-0089-2022 and MS-DRRSCEDARSO- OS-0090-2022. 5.
Coordination is undertaken with the ORAC AyA office to conduct an inspection visit to the site as follow-up to the provisions issued by the Defensoría de los Habitantes. RECOMMENDATIONS In view of the foregoing and pursuant to the decision of the Defensoría de los Habitantes, I consider that Mr. [Nombre01 002], holder of identity card number [CED01], president of the ASADA de Cipreses de Oreamuno, email address: ...01, should be required by sanitary order to: 1. Submit within 3 business days the action plan available to the ASADA de Cipreses for supplying the population that is unable to obtain potable water from the designated points (self-consumption tanks) and in places inaccessible to the tanker truck, given that the ASADA de Cipreses was the entity that originally undertook to provide potable water by means of the pickup truck and small tank in the sectors inaccessible to the tanker truck. 2.
If it does not have such an action plan, it must prepare one within 5 business days and submit it to this Área Rectora de Salud. The plan must guarantee access to potable water for the entire population supplied by the ASADA de Cipreses, in its capacity as the entity administering the Sistemas de Acueductos y Alcantarillados Comunal de Cipreses de Oreamuno. 3. Immediately, and until the contamination problem reported by this Ministry in connection with the Nombre03 and Nombre02 springs (nacientes) has been resolved, the ASADA de Cipreses must guarantee and remain vigilant to ensure that all its subscribers have access to potable water suitable for human consumption, food preparation, and personal-hygiene activities, in accordance with the precautionary principle of which that water supply system was notified. Furthermore, it must resume the distribution of potable water in the sectors inaccessible to the tanker truck.
This action is a priority because potable water is a basic and inalienable human right and an essential good for life, pursuant to the provisions of Article 50 of the Constitución Política de la Republica de Costa Rica and, furthermore, based on the provisions of Ley General de Salud N°5395 in the following articles: “… ARTICLE 37.- No person may engage in or assist with acts that pose a danger to, impair, or harm the health of third parties or the population, and every person must refrain from any omission to take measures or precautions to protect the health of third parties. ARTICLE 267.- Every system supplying water intended for use and consumption by the population must provide potable water continuously, in sufficient quantities to meet people’s needs, and with the pressure necessary to permit the proper functioning of the sanitary fixtures in use. ARTICLE 268.- Every potable-water supply, without exception, shall be subject to oversight by the Ministry with respect to the quality of the water supplied to the population and for the purpose of ensuring that the system’s constituent elements, operation, and state of maintenance guarantee an adequate and safe supply; the Ministry may intervene in the system if there is a danger to the health of the inhabitants.
ARTICLE 340.- Within the powers conferred upon them by this law and its regulations, and in accordance with the competence and jurisdiction assigned to them by the Ministry’s organic regulations, the health authorities may issue decisions ordering measures of a general or specific nature, as applicable, to improve its implementation and enforcement. ARTICLE 341.- Within the aforementioned powers and jurisdictions, they may likewise order and take the special measures authorized by this law to prevent risks or harm to human health, or to prevent them from spreading or worsening, and to restrain private parties from continuing or repeating the violation…”sic And in the Reglamento de las Asociaciones Administradoras de Sistemas de Acueductos y Alcantarillados comunales, which states verbatim in: “…Article 6. Nature of the ASADAS. The legal status of the Asociaciones Administradoras de Sistemas de Acueductos y Alcantarillados Comunales (hereinafter ASADAS) is recognized as that of private, nonprofit associations that are solely responsible, by delegation from AyA, for the community management of the public services of potable-water supply and wastewater sanitation in Costa Rica, as key stakeholders in integrated water-resource management.
The sole exception to the foregoing shall be the system adopted by indigenous territories for themselves…”sic (emphasis not in the original) …”sic As a result of the foregoing, this Dirección de Área Rectora de Salud proceeded to notify, by means of sanitary order MS-DRRSCE-DARSO-OS-0021- 2023 (folio 02821), Mr.
[Nombre01 002] in which the following is ordered verbatim: “… YOU ARE ORDERED, WITHIN THE TIME LIMITS INDICATED ABOVE, TO PROCEED AS FOLLOWS: Point 1= Submit the Action Plan available to the ASADA of Cipreses for supplying the population that is unable to obtain water from the self-service tanks and where the tanker truck cannot gain access. Point 2= If it does not have the aforementioned Action Plan, it is granted a period of 5 business days beginning on the day following notification of this administrative act (acto administrativo) to prepare said Plan and subsequently (period of 3 business days) submit it to this Health Governing Area. (Total 8 business days). If Point 1 above is complied with, Point 2 does not apply. Point 3= Guarantee and ensure that all subscribers have access to drinking water…”sic Likewise, in response to information requested by the Defensoría de los Habitantes, which is processing a request for intervention by that agency following a complaint filed by a resident of the La Puente sector, it is reported that this Health Governing Area has monitored water distribution in said sector, as evidenced by technical reports MS-DRRSCE-DARSO-IT-0110- 2023 (folios 02777 to 02780) and MS-DRRSCE-DARSO-IT-0501-2023 (folios 03106 to 03111), which describe our actions regarding the distribution of drinking water in said sector.
Dated 27 de setiembre del 2023, inspection records 11-2023 and 12-2023 (folios 03161 to 03162) and technical report MS-DRRSCE-DARSO-IT-517- 2023 (folios 03163 to 03164) describe in detail the inspection visit conducted by the undersigned staff member, who went to the La Puente sector and verified that both the storage tank located at Iglesia La Puente and the one located at the packing facility of Mr. Nombre05 contained water and that their faucets were functioning properly, so that persons residing in said sector could obtain drinking water for human consumption. In addition, she spoke with a local resident, who reported that both the AyA tanker truck and the pickup truck with a water tank belonging to the ASADA de Cipreses de Oreamuno had been entering the community to distribute drinking water. I consider it important to add that the Sala Constitucional is aware of the contamination problem caused by degradation products of the fungicide chlorothalonil in the communities of Cipreses and Santa Rosa de Oreamuno, as well as of all our actions, which may be verified in case files N° 20-021797-0007-CO, N°22-015651-0007-CO N° 23-005100-0007-CO, N° 22-026649-0007-CO.
In response to everything arising from the contamination problems caused by degradation products of the fungicide chlorothalonil, the Área Rectora de Salud de Oreamuno has acted to the extent possible in order to safeguard the water sources and guarantee the fundamental rights to life and health, as well as the well-being of the population, which constitute legally protected interests (bienes jurídicos) of public interest that the State is required to protect by adopting measures to defend them against any threat or danger. It must also safeguard the right to a healthy and ecologically balanced environment. Likewise, the three administrative levels of the Ministerio de Salud have worked jointly to identify a course of action that will provide a definitive solution to the contamination problem identified and already described; and it was through the “Technical Report on Chlorothalonil” that eight recommendations were issued, including a request to prohibit chlorothalonil in pursuit of a definitive solution to the matter at hand, which the Sala Constitucional now orders us to adopt and implement.” Official letter N° MS-DPRSA-USA-1975-2023 states: “Context and Actions Taken: 1.
Initial Actions: From the outset, the Ministerio de Salud has committed to addressing this matter seriously and responsibly. This case has involved the active collaboration of the three levels of care of the Ministerio de Salud, as well as entities such as the Instituto Costarricense de Acueductos y Alcantarillados (AyA), the Universidad Nacional and the Ministerio de Ambiente y Energía. 2.IRET Results: In 2021, the Instituto Regional de Estudios en Sustancias Tóxicas de la Universidad Nacional (IRET) conducted tests on water from the ASADA Cipreses community aqueduct, identifying presumptive levels of molecules derived from the pesticide chlorothalonil, specifically 1,3-dicarbamoyl-2,4,5,6-tetrachlorobenzene and 4-hydroxychlorothalonil. It should be noted that this laboratory is not accredited and is primarily engaged in research. 3. Sanitary Orders: In response to the alert generated by the IRET results, the Área Rectora de Salud (ARS) de Oreamuno issued sanitary orders (órdenes sanitarias) requesting the demarcation (delimitación) of the protection areas surrounding water-supply sources, as well as the cessation of agricultural activities near the springs (nacientes).
The ASADA was also asked to conduct a hydrogeological study to assess water quality and possible contamination. 4. Ministerio de Salud Sampling: In April 2022, the Unidad de Salud Ambiental del Ministerio de Salud coordinated a visit to the community of Cipreses to collect samples from the affected springs and the community’s distribution network. The analysis focused on chlorothalonil because it is the analyte for which the national laboratories are accredited. In this sampling, the Ministerio de Salud found no concentrations of chlorothalonil or any other pesticide assessed under Level 4 of Reglamento 38924-S para la Calidad del Agua Potable. 5.Coordination Meeting: In May 2022, a coordination meeting was held among the Laboratorio Nacional de Aguas (LNA), AyA, IRET and the three levels of the Ministerio de Salud. At this meeting, the actions taken by IRET and the methodologies used to determine the metabolites were discussed.
IRET acknowledged the need to improve its assays and conduct validation tests to optimize them. LNA recommended caution in making decisions based on these results (PRE-LNA-2022- 00320) 6. Search for Accredited Laboratories: Given the need for results that complied with the accreditation standard, as required by Reglamento para la Calidad del Agua Potable DE 38924-S , assistance was sought from other public and private laboratories that had the required techniques validated and accredited. Unfortunately, no positive response was received from any of them. 7. Collaboration with AyA: To address the situation, a request for support was coordinated with the Presidencia Ejecutiva del AyA so that LNA could implement drinking-water analyses for 1,3- dicarbamoyl-2,4,5,6-tetrachlorobenzene and 4-hydroxychlorothalonil. AyA accepted the request and proposed two scenarios: in the short term, an agreement would be entered into with IRET to collaborate on validating the tests and guaranteeing the reliability of the results; in the long term, new equipment would be acquired for LNA to improve its analytical capacity. 8.
Request for demarcation of spring protection zones: Regarding the partial or complete lack of demarcation of the protection zones surrounding the Nombre03 and Nombre02 springs, which are sources of the ASADA de Cipreses, it should be noted that Article 31 of Ley de Aguas N°276 clearly establishes the requirement for a protection zone with a perimeter of 200 meters around the springs. The purpose of this measure is to safeguard the quality of the water resource and prevent contamination. Therefore, the Unidad de Salud Ambiental recommended that the corresponding ARS request, through an administrative act, that the ASADA de Cipreses perform the necessary demarcation of the protection zones. This is consistent with Article 42 of Reglamento de ASADAS N°42582-S-MINAE, which clearly establishes that the ASADA is responsible for protecting the water resource and demarcating the protection zones; these actions fall not only within the authority of the ASADA but are also a matter of interest to and within the authority of AyA (Instituto Costarricense de Acueductos y Alcantarillados). 9.
Sampling and validation of analytical tests for detecting chlorothalonil metabolites: During September, as a result of the coordination led by the Ministerio de Salud, the IRET laboratories and the Laboratorio Nacional de Aguas (LNA) conducted sampling at the Nombre02 and Nombre03 springs, both of which are supply sources for ASADA Cipreses. The report “Results of Analysis of Samples from Cipreses and Tests for the Development of a Method to Determine Chlorothalonil Metabolites” (PRE-LNA-2022-00887) confirmed the presence of the metabolites 1,3- dicarbamoyl-2,4,5,6 tetrachlorobenzene and 4-hydroxychlorothalonil at levels exceeding the maximum permissible value established by Reglamento 38924-S, which is 0.1 ug/L. 10. Recommendations for Sanitary Orders Closing the Aqueduct: Following the confirmed detection of chlorothalonil metabolites in water from the ASADA de Cipreses de Oreamuno, research was conducted concerning the effects of these molecules on human health; there is a lack of scientific studies characterizing and identifying the risks associated with ingestion, contact or other forms of exposure to the metabolites 1,3-dicarbamoyl-2,4,5,6 tetrachlorobenzene and 4-hydroxychlorothalonil.
However, studies identify chlorothalonil as highly toxic to aquatic life and moderately toxic to birds and earthworms. In addition, 4-hydroxychlorothalonil has been classified as highly toxic in studies conducted on rodents. Therefore, any indication of contamination by this pesticide or its metabolites must be addressed with extreme caution, and the necessary measures must be taken to prevent exposure, in view of the limited scientific evidence concerning the risks to human health and the studies confirming the associated ecotoxicity and environmental risk. Accordingly, through official letter MS-DPRSA- 0636-2022, the central level issued recommendations for sanitary orders to close the aqueduct and for AyA to intervene with a plan to provide the population with drinking water, as well as sanitary orders directing the Ministerio de Agricultura to implement a plan to reduce risks arising from the use of chlorothalonil in the region.
(attachments) 11. Technical Report on Chlorothalonil and Draft Prohibition Decree: Through official letter MS-DVM-4387-2023, the office of former Vice Minister of Health Carolina Gallo requested the creation of a specialized team to draft the corresponding prohibition decree. In accordance with that request, an interinstitutional team was established and collaborated on preparing a technical report and a draft of the aforementioned decree. This proposal was transmitted to the office of the former Vice Minister on 15 de mayo del presente año and also included several supplementary points, as detailed in official letter MS-DRPIS-988-2023. It is relevant to report that, unfortunately, the Ministerio de Agricultura y Ganadería did not participate in this process, despite efforts to involve it, as recorded in official letter MS-DM- 4243-2023. 12. Nevertheless, it should be noted that this Directorate has continuously monitored the draft chlorothalonil prohibition, which is currently in the office of the Ministra de Salud for review and subsequent processing.
In conclusion: From the outset of this case, the Ministerio de Salud has acted rigorously and on the basis of science and the available scientific evidence. We have conducted analyses and sampling to verify the presence of contaminants in the water, and we have followed the appropriate procedures in compliance with our public-health responsibilities. Mindful of the importance of preventing future contamination and seeking the natural remediation of contaminated sources, an Executive Decree Prohibiting chlorothalonil has been pursued. This effort has been undertaken by the Dirección de Protección Radiológica y Salud Ambiental, together with the Dirección de Regulación de Productos de Interés Sanitario and officials from the Ministerio de Ambiente y Energía, because the Ministerio de Agricultura y Ganadería (MAG) does not have the authority to prohibit or restrict a product on agricultural properties or in specific areas.
Recognizing the need to provide the affected communities with access to safe water, we have issued health orders (órdenes sanitarias) to the Instituto Costarricense de Acueductos y Alcantarillados (AyA), directing it to provide water-supply solutions to those communities. AyA is the technical governing authority (rector técnico) for drinking water and is responsible for following up on and addressing complaints of this kind, especially in situations where the availability and quantity of water resources (recurso hídrico) pose a challenge. Therefore, it is respectfully requested that the Sala Constitucional consider these arguments and dismiss the appeal (recurso), recognizing that the Ministerio de Salud has acted within its authority and for the benefit of public health, and placing responsibility on AyA as the technical governing authority in view of the substance of the complaint filed.” In accordance with the information set forth in official letters N° MS-DRRSCE-DARSO- 0840-2023 and N° MS-DPRSA-USA-1975-2023, the authorities of the Ministerio de Salud have acted diligently, as they have followed the appropriate procedures in fulfillment of our responsibilities and for the benefit of public health.
Justice Cruz Castro delivers the opinion; and,
Considering:
In amparo actions (recursos de amparo) brought against private parties, before examining the merits of the alleged constitutional violation, it must be determined whether the case falls within any of the circumstances in which such an action is allowed and, if so, whether it is admissible. Article 57 of the Ley de la Jurisdicción Constitucional provides that an amparo action may be brought against acts or omissions of private-law persons when they act or are required to act in the exercise of public functions or powers, or when they are, as a matter of law or fact, in a position of power against which ordinary judicial remedies are clearly insufficient or untimely to safeguard the fundamental rights or freedoms referred to in Article 2(a) of that same Law. In this specific case, one of these conditions is satisfied because the parties concerned are private-law persons acting in the exercise of public functions or powers by providing a public service; accordingly, the action is admitted for review by this Court.
The petitioner states that she is a resident of the community of La Puente, Paraíso, Cartago, and alleges chlorothalonil contamination in the Nombre02 and Nombre03 springs in Cipreses de Oreamuno. She explains that chlorothalonil is an agrochemical used as a fungicide, particularly on crops of celery, onion, and cilantro, among others; that it contaminated the aforementioned springs; and that it affected the water consumed by the entire community of Cipreses and the surrounding areas. She adds that studies have shown this fungicide to be harmful to human health because it can cause skin diseases and cancer. She states that many people in the community have installed water filters so that they can consume drinking water; however, because of the high cost, not everyone has access to one, and they continue to consume the water. This is compounded by the fact that the contaminated water continues to be used for bathing and cleaning, among other activities.
She notes that the ASADA de Cipreses has provided tanker trucks, but they are insufficient for the entire community. She adds that the problem has worsened in the community of La Puente because there are multiple water shutoffs (from 9 to 11 am and from 2 to 6 pm), and one tanker truck is insufficient to supply that community. She states that she approached the Ministerio de Salud, which responded to her on August 18, 2023, but merely indicated that a ban on the agrochemical was being pursued.
The following facts relevant to deciding this amparo action are deemed established:
Of great importance in deciding this action is this Chamber’s ruling in judgment number 2023014252 at 9:30 a.m. on June 16, 2023, which held:
“I.- Subject matter of the action. The petitioner alleges that, on November 13, 2022, the ASADA de Santa Rosa de Oreamuno de Cartago issued a notice to users of the drinking-water service stating that, between October and November 2022, a water-quality analysis had been conducted on the 7 springs supplying the aqueduct and that metabolites of the agrochemical chlorothalonil had been detected in five of them. He alleges that the contamination problem persists to date because water from the direct piped connection cannot be consumed and must instead be transported from a remote location in water tanks.
II.Regarding the specific case. In judgment No. 2023-013384 at 13:41 on June 06, 2023, this Chamber, upon hearing an amparo action concerning problems arising from the presence of metabolites of the agrochemical chlorothalonil in the springs supplying the ASADA de Santa Rosa de Oreamuno de Cartago, ruled as follows:
“The action is granted. It is ordered: 1) that Alexei Carrillo Villegas and Fiorella Fait Wong, respectively Ministro a.i. de Salud and Directora a.i. del Área Rectora de Salud de Oreamuno, or whoever may hold those offices in their stead, in accordance with the powers granted to them by the legislation in force, immediately establish all corresponding coordination mechanisms with the authorities of the Ministerio de Agricultura y Ganadería, the Ministerio de Ambiente y Energía, and the Instituto Costarricense de Acueductos y Alcantarillados, within their respective spheres of authority, so that, within six months from service of this judgment and in accordance with the parameters established by the Ministerio de Salud, they adopt and implement the recommendations contained in the unnumbered report of April 14, 2023, issued by the Ministerio de Salud, the Ministerio de Ambiente y Energía, and the Instituto Costarricense de Acueductos y Alcantarillado, entitled ‘Informe Técnico Clorotalonil,’ in order to safeguard the right to health and life; monitor the implementation of those recommendations; and take the appropriate actions to ensure their proper and timely compliance; and 2) that Jorge Zapata Arroyo and José Sánchez Redondo, respectively Gerente General del Instituto Costarricense de Acueductos y Alcantarillados and Presidente con representación judicial y extrajudicial de la ASADA de Santa Rosa de Oreamuno de Cartago, or whoever may hold those offices in their stead, immediately maintain and guarantee the provision of drinking water for human consumption through the appropriate means, without using any of the contaminated water sources for that purpose, and that this arrangement remain in place until the service can be properly restored through the usual means without compromising safety and health, and after prior authorization by the Ministerio de Salud.
The foregoing is ordered with the warning that failure to comply with this order will constitute the offense of disobedience and that, pursuant to Article 71 of the Ley de la Jurisdicción Constitucional, any person who receives an order that must be complied with or enforced, issued in an amparo action, and fails to comply with or enforce it shall be punished by imprisonment for three months to two years or by a fine of twenty to sixty days, provided that the offense is not subject to a more severe penalty. The State and the Instituto Costarricense de Acueductos y Alcantarillados are ordered to pay the costs, damages, and losses caused by the facts underlying this ruling, which shall be assessed during enforcement of the judgment before the administrative litigation court. The ASADA de Santa Rosa de Oreamuno de Cartago is likewise ordered to pay the costs, damages, and losses caused by the facts underlying this ruling, which shall be assessed during enforcement of the judgment before the civil court.
Justice Salazar Alvarado enters a separate note. Justice Garro Vargas dissents regarding enforcement of the first order in this judgment and, pursuant to Article 56 of the Ley de la Jurisdicción Constitucional, directs that it be carried out before the Área de Ejecución del Tribunal Contencioso Administrativo y Civil de Hacienda, under the enforcement rules established in Articles 155 et seq. of the Código Procesal Contencioso Administrativo. She further orders that a copy of the judgment be transmitted to that body so that proceedings to enforce this ruling may be commenced.” In view of the foregoing, because this Chamber has already ruled on the problems arising from the presence of metabolites of the agrochemical chlorothalonil in the springs supplying the ASADA de Santa Rosa de Oreamuno de Cartago by granting the action, the appropriate course in this proceeding is to grant the amparo action and refer the petitioner to the ruling issued therein.
III.Partial dissenting opinion (voto salvado parcial) by Justice Garro Vargas regarding the operative portion (parte dispositiva) of this judgment. Although I agree with the majority of the Sala that the application (recurso) should be granted, I disagree as to the forum in which the enforcement phase (fase de ejecución) of the matter should be conducted, due to the absence of adequate mechanisms under the regulations governing this constitutional jurisdiction to monitor compliance with a judgment involving highly complex technical matters, such as the adoption and implementation of the recommendations contained in the unnumbered report dated 14 de abril de 2023, issued by the Ministerio de Salud, the Ministerio de Ambiente y Energía, and the Instituto Costarricense de Acueductos y Alcantarillado, entitled “Informe Técnico Clorotalonil,” as well as ensuring the provision of drinking-water service for human consumption through the appropriate means, without using any of the contaminated water sources for that purpose.
By contrast, the provisions of the Código Procesal Contencioso-Administrativo governing enforcement (artículo 155 y siguientes) offer clear advantages, such as the ability to request schedules, impose fines, establish liability, oversee stages of compliance, and so forth. Therefore, pursuant to artículo 56 de la Ley de Jurisdicción Constitucional, I consider that the enforcement phase should be conducted before the Área de Ejecución del Tribunal Contencioso Administrativo y Civil de Hacienda, under the judgment-enforcement rules (reglas de ejecución de sentencia) of that Code.
IV.Documentation submitted to the case file (expediente). The parties are hereby advised that, if they have submitted any paper document, as well as objects or evidence contained on any additional electronic, computer, magnetic, optical, or telematic device or produced using new technologies, these must be collected from the court office within a maximum period of 30 business days from notification of this judgment. Otherwise, any material not collected within that period shall be destroyed, pursuant to the “Reglamento sobre Expediente Electrónico ante el Poder Judicial,” approved by the Corte Plena at session No. 27-11 of 22 de agosto del 2011, artículo XXVI, and published in Boletín Judicial número 19 of 26 de enero del 2012, as well as the resolution approved by the Consejo Superior del Poder Judicial at session No. 43-12 held on 3 de mayo del 2012, artículo LXXXI.
Por tanto:
The application is granted. With respect to the legal effects of the portion of this judgment granting relief, the applicant is referred to what was previously ordered by the Sala in voto No. 2023-013384 at 13:41 hours on 06 de junio de 2023. The Estado and the Instituto Costarricense de Acueductos y Alcantarillados are ordered to pay the costs, damages, and losses caused by the facts underlying this ruling, which shall be assessed during enforcement of the judgment (ejecución de sentencia) in the administrative litigation proceedings. Likewise, the ASADA de Santa Rosa de Oreamuno de Cartago is ordered to pay the costs, damages, and losses caused by the facts underlying this ruling, which shall be assessed during enforcement of the judgment in civil proceedings. Justice Garro Vargas dissents regarding the enforcement of this judgment and, pursuant to artículo 56 de la Ley de la Jurisdicción Constitucional, orders that it be conducted before the Área de Ejecución del Tribunal Contencioso Administrativo y Civil de Hacienda, under the enforcement rules established in artículos 155 y siguientes del Código Procesal Contencioso Administrativo.
She further orders that a copy of the judgment be forwarded to that office so that proceedings to enforce this ruling may be initiated. Let notice be given.” For his part, the President and General Attorney-in-Fact with unlimited authority (Apoderado Generalísimo sin límite de suma) of the Asociación de Acueducto de Cipreses de Oreamuno de Cartago reported that on 30 de noviembre de 2023, Decreto Ejecutivo No. 44280-S was published in Diario Oficial La Gaceta No. 223, alcance 237, prohibiting the use of chlorothalonil in Costa Rica. Accordingly, the application must be denied as to that claim.
V.The applicant further alleges that the ASADA de Cipreses has provided water tankers (cisternas), but that they are insufficient for the entire community. She adds that this problem has worsened in the community of La Puente because multiple water shutoffs are occurring (de 9 a 11 am y de 2 a 6 pm), and one tanker is insufficient to supply that community. For his part, the President and General Attorney-in-Fact with unlimited authority of the Asociación de Acueducto de Cipreses de Oreamuno de Cartago reported that the La Puente sector has a 5000-liter water tank for drinking-water consumption on the south side of the iglesia de La Puente, and that 100 meters from the iglesia La Puente there is another 2500-liter water tank for drinking-water consumption. A log is maintained for these tanks recording their cleaning with chlorine and their filling, and the ASADA even assists residents using its own vehicles on impassable roads that the tanker truck cannot access.
With regard to water rationing (racionamientos), the Comisión Nacional de Emergencias has issued guidance warning of and raising awareness about water consumption due to the drought, and the Distrito de Cipreses, together with the surrounding sectors, experienced a reduction in the water supply from the Nombre03 and Nombre07 springs (nacientes) at their sources. The La Puente sectors are supplied on their outskirts by the Nombre07 spring; the Asada de Cipreses monitors its flow rate (caudal) monthly, and measures will be taken to conduct awareness campaigns regarding the use and consumption of water resources. It should be noted that the respondent authority reported that the rationing was due to the drought in the Distrito de Cipreses and surrounding sectors, which affected the Nombre03 and Nombre07 springs and caused a reduction in the water available at their sources. It also stated that the ASADA assists residents using its own vehicles even on impassable roads that the tanker truck cannot access.
In this regard, the applicant states that the tanker trucks are insufficient; however, she does not state precisely or in greater detail the reasons for her assertion, the sector of the community in which service is inadequate or not provided at all, the specific days on which such omissions occurred, nor does she submit evidence establishing a violation of her fundamental rights. Accordingly, the application must be denied as to that claim.
VI.Documentation submitted to the case file. The parties are hereby advised that, if they have submitted any paper document, as well as objects or evidence contained on any additional electronic, computer, magnetic, optical, or telematic device or produced using new technologies, these must be collected from the court office within a maximum period of 30 business days from notification of this judgment. Otherwise, any material not collected within that period shall be destroyed, pursuant to the “Reglamento sobre Expediente Electrónico ante el Poder Judicial,” approved by the Corte Plena at session número 27-11 of 22 de agosto de 2011, artículo XXVI, and published in Boletín Judicial número 19 of 26 de enero de 2012, as well as the resolution approved by the Consejo Superior del Poder Judicial at session número 43-12 held on 3 de mayo de 2012, artículo LXXXI.
POR TANTO:
The application is denied.
Fernando Castillo V.
President Fernando Cruz C.
Luis Fdo. Salazar A.
Anamari Garro V.
Ingrid Hess H.
Alejandro Delgado F.
Jorge Isaac Solano A.
Telephone numbers: Telf01/ ALA-4TA (800-7252-482). Fax: Telf02 / Telf03. Website: www.poder-judicial.go.cr/salaconstitucional. Address: (Dirección01, Dirección02, 100 mts.South of the iglesia del Perpetuo Socorro). Filing office for matters involving vulnerable groups: Dirección03, San José, Distrito Catedral, Dirección04, calles 19 y 21, Dirección05
Revisión del Documento SALA CONSTITUCIONAL DE LA CORTE SUPREMA DE JUSTICIA. San José, a las nueve horas quince minutos del ocho de marzo de dos mil veinticuatro .
Recurso de amparo interpuesto por [Nombre01 001], cédula de identidad [Valor CED02], contra el MINISTERIO DE SALUD.
RESULTANDO:
Redacta el Magistrado Cruz Castro; y,
Considerando:
Tratándose de recursos de amparo dirigidos contra sujetos privados, previo al análisis de fondo acerca de la violación constitucional alegada, debe examinarse si, en la especie, se está o no ante alguno de los supuestos que hacen admisible tal recurso, y, en caso afirmativo, dilucidar si es o no admisible. Indica la Ley de la Jurisdicción Constitucional en el artículo 57 que procede el recurso de amparo contra las acciones u omisiones de sujetos de derecho privado, cuando estos actúen o deban actuar en ejercicio de funciones o potestades públicas, o se encuentren, de derecho o de hecho, en una posición de poder frente a la cual los remedios jurisdiccionales comunes resulten claramente insuficientes o tardíos para garantizar los derechos o libertades fundamentales a que se refiere el artículo 2, inciso a) de la misma Ley. En el caso concreto, se cumple uno de estos presupuestos, ya que se trata de sujetos de derecho privado que están actuando en ejercicio de funciones o potestades públicas al prestar un servicio público, motivo por el que el recurso se admite para su análisis por parte de este Tribunal.
La recurrente indica que es vecina de la comunidad de La Puente, Paraíso, Cartago y acusa contaminación con clorotalonil en las nacientes de Nombre02 y Nombre03, en Cipreses de Oreamuno. Explica que el clorotalonil es un agroquímico utilizado como fungicida, especialmente para los cultivos de apio, cebolla y cilantro, entre otros; que generó contaminación en las mencionadas nacientes, y afectó el agua que consume toda la comunidad de Cipreses y sus alrededores. Agrega que según estudios se ha demostrado que dicho fungicida es nocivo para la salud humana, ya que puede ocasionar enfermedades de la piel y cáncer. Refiere que muchas personas de la comunidad han colocado filtros de agua para poder consumir agua potable, sin embargo, no todas pueden tener acceso a este por su alto costo y siguen consumiendo el agua. Aunado al hecho de que el agua contaminada se sigue utilizando para baño y limpieza, entre otras actividades.
Señala que la ASADA de Cipreses ha proporcionado cisternas, pero no es suficiente para toda la comunidad. Añade que en la comunidad de La Puente, dicha problemática ha incrementado debido a que, se están dando múltiples cortes de agua (de 9 a 11 am y de 2 a 6 pm), y un cisterna no es suficiente para abastecer a esa comunidad. Apunta que acudió ante el Ministerio de Salud, donde le respondieron el 18 de agosto de 2023, pero solo le indicaron que se está gestionando la prohibición del agroquímico.
De relevancia para dirimir el presente recurso de amparo, se tienen por acreditados los siguientes:
En la resolución del presente recurso es de gran importancia lo resuelto por esta Sala en la sentencia número 2023014252 de las 9:30 horas del 16 de junio de 2023, en la que se dispuso:
“I.- Objeto del recurso. El recurrente alega que la ASADA de Santa Rosa de Oreamuno de Cartago emitió un comunicado a los usuarios del servicio de agua potable el 13 de noviembre de 2022, en el que informó que entre los meses de octubre y noviembre de 2022, se había realizado un análisis de calidad de agua a las 7 nacientes que abastecían al acueducto y en cinco de ellas se había detectado la presencia de metabolitos del agroquímico Clorotalonil. Acusa que a la fecha persiste la problemática de la contaminación, pues no se puede consumir el agua de la conexión directa por tuberías y debe que ser acarreada de manera remota por tanquetas.
II.Sobre el caso concreto. Esta Sala mediante sentencia No. 2023-013384 de las 13:41 horas del 06 de junio de 2023, al conocer un recurso de amparo por los problemas ante la presencia de metabolitos del agroquímico Clorotalonil en las nacientes que abastecen a la ASADA de Santa Rosa de Oreamuno de Cartago, dispuso lo siguiente:
“Se declara con lugar el recurso. Se ordena: 1) a Alexei Carrillo Villegas y a Fiorella Fait Wong, por su orden Ministro a.i. de Salud y Directora a.i. del Área Rectora de Salud de Oreamuno, o a quienes, en su lugar ejerzan esos cargos, para que de conformidad con las potestades que les reconoce la legislación vigente, de inmediato establezcan todas las instancias de coordinación correspondientes con las autoridades del Ministerio de Agricultura y Ganadería, del Ministerio de Ambiente y Energía, y del Instituto Costarricense de Acueductos y Alcantarillados, dentro de sus respectivos ámbitos de competencias, para que dentro del plazo de seis meses, contado a partir de la notificación de esta sentencia, y en consonancia con los parámetros establecidos por el Ministerio de Salud, se adopten y ejecuten las recomendaciones del informe sin número de 14 de abril de 2023, emitido por el Ministerio de Salud, el Ministerio de Ambiente y Energía y el Instituto Costarricense de Acueductos y Alcantarillado, denominado "Informe Técnico Clorotalonil", para garantizar el derecho a la salud y a la vida de las personas; se brinde seguimiento a tales recomendaciones, y se emitan las actuaciones pertinentes para garantizar su adecuado y oportuno cumplimiento; y 2) a Jorge Zapata Arroyo y José Sánchez Redondo, por su orden Gerente General del Instituto Costarricense de Acueductos y Alcantarillados y Presidente con representación judicial y extrajudicial de la ASADA de Santa Rosa de Oreamuno de Cartago, o a quienes, en su lugar ejerzan esos cargos, para que de manera inmediata mantengan y garanticen la prestación del servicio de agua potable para consumo humano mediante las vías que corresponda, sin que se utilice para ello ninguna de las fuentes de agua contaminadas, y que tal situación se mantenga, hasta que el servicio pueda ser debidamente restablecido por los medios habituales sin comprometer la seguridad y la salud, y previa autorización al respecto por parte del Ministerio de Salud.
Lo anterior, bajo apercibimiento de que, de no acatar esta orden, incurrirá en el delito de desobediencia y que de conformidad con el artículo 71 de la Ley de la Jurisdicción Constitucional, se impondrá prisión de tres meses a dos años, o de veinte a sesenta días multa, a quien recibiere una orden que deba cumplir o hacer cumplir, dictada en un recurso de amparo, y no la cumpliere o hiciere cumplir, siempre que el delito no esté más gravemente penado. Se condena al Estado y al Instituto Costarricense de Acueductos y Alcantarillados al pago de las costas, daños y perjuicios causados con los hechos que sirven de base a esta declaratoria, los que se liquidarán en ejecución de sentencia de lo contencioso administrativo. Asimismo, se condena a la ASADA de Santa Rosa de Oreamuno de Cartago al pago de las costas, daños y perjuicios causados con los hechos que sirven de base a esta declaratoria, los que se liquidarán en ejecución de sentencia de lo civil.
El Magistrado Salazar Alvarado consigna nota. La Magistrada Garro Vargas salva el voto respecto a la ejecución de la primera orden de esta sentencia y, de conformidad con el artículo 56 de la Ley de la Jurisdicción Constitucional, dispone que debe realizarse ante el Área de Ejecución del Tribunal Contencioso Administrativo y Civil de Hacienda, bajo las reglas de ejecución, establecidos en los artículos 155 y siguientes del Código Procesal Contencioso Administrativo. Asimismo, ordena que se le remita copia de la sentencia para que se inicie los procedimientos de ejecución de este fallo” En mérito de lo anterior, como los problemas por la presencia de metabolitos del agroquímico Clorotalonil en las nacientes que abastecen a la ASADA de Santa Rosa de Oreamuno de Cartago, ya esta Sala resolvió declarar con lugar el recurso, de manera que lo que procede en este expediente es acoger el amparo y remitir al recurrente a lo ahí resuelto.
III.Voto salvado parcial respecto a la parte dispositiva de esta sentencia de la magistrada Garro Vargas. Si bien coincido con la mayoría de la Sala en que el recurso se debe declarar con lugar, difiero sobre dónde residenciar la fase de ejecución del asunto, debido a la inexistencia de mecanismos adecuados previstos por la normativa que rige esta jurisdicción constitucional para dar seguimiento a una sentencia que reviste aspectos técnicos de gran complejidad, como es la adopción y ejecución de las recomendaciones del informe sin número de 14 de abril de 2023, emitido por el Ministerio de Salud, el Ministerio de Ambiente y Energía y el Instituto Costarricense de Acueductos y Alcantarillado, denominado "Informe Técnico Clorotalonil", así como que se garantice la prestación del servicio de agua potable para consumo humano mediante las vías que corresponda, sin que se utilice para ello ninguna de las fuentes de agua contaminadas.
En cambio, lo dispuesto por el Código Procesal Contencioso-Administrativo en materia de ejecución (artículo 155 y siguientes) tiene evidentes ventajas, como la posibilidad de pedir cronogramas, imponer multas, sentar responsabilidades, fiscalizar etapas de cumplimiento, etc. Por ello, de conformidad con lo dispuesto por el artículo 56 de la Ley de Jurisdicción Constitucional, estimo que la fase de ejecución debe realizarse ante el Área de Ejecución del Tribunal Contencioso Administrativo y Civil de Hacienda, bajo las reglas de ejecución de sentencia de dicho Código.
IV.Documentación aportada al expediente. Se previene a las partes que, de haber aportado algún documento en papel, así como objetos o pruebas contenidas en algún dispositivo adicional de carácter electrónico, informático, magnético, óptico, telemático o producido por nuevas tecnologías, éstos deberán ser retirados del despacho en un plazo máximo de 30 días hábiles contados a partir de la notificación de esta sentencia. De lo contrario, será destruido todo aquel material que no sea retirado dentro de este plazo, según lo dispuesto en el "Reglamento sobre Expediente Electrónico ante el Poder Judicial", aprobado por la Corte Plena en sesión No. 27-11 del 22 de agosto del 2011, artículo XXVI y publicado en el Boletín Judicial número 19 del 26 de enero del 2012, así como en el acuerdo aprobado por el Consejo Superior del Poder Judicial, en la sesión No. 43-12 celebrada el 3 de mayo del 2012, artículo LXXXI.
Por tanto:
Se declara con lugar el recurso. En lo concerniente a los efectos jurídicos de la parte estimatoria de la presente sentencia, se remite al recurrente a lo ya ordenado por la Sala en el voto No. 2023-013384 de las 13:41 horas del 06 de junio de 2023. Se condena al Estado y al Instituto Costarricense de Acueductos y Alcantarillados al pago de las costas, daños y perjuicios causados con los hechos que sirven de base a esta declaratoria, los que se liquidarán en ejecución de sentencia de lo contencioso administrativo. Asimismo, se condena a la ASADA de Santa Rosa de Oreamuno de Cartago al pago de las costas, daños y perjuicios causados con los hechos que sirven de base a esta declaratoria, los que se liquidarán en ejecución de sentencia de lo civil. La magistrada Garro Vargas salva el voto respecto a la ejecución de esta sentencia y, de conformidad con el artículo 56 de la Ley de la Jurisdicción Constitucional, dispone que debe realizarse ante el Área de Ejecución del Tribunal Contencioso Administrativo y Civil de Hacienda, bajo las reglas de ejecución, establecidos en los artículos 155 y siguientes del Código Procesal Contencioso Administrativo. Asimismo, ordena que se le remita copia de la sentencia para que se inicie los procedimientos de ejecución de este fallo. Notifíquese”.
Por su parte, el Presidente y Apoderado Generalísimo sin límite de suma de la Asociación de Acueducto de Cipreses de Oreamuno de Cartago informó que el 30 de noviembre de 2023 se publicó en el Diario Oficial La Gaceta No. 223, alcance 237, el Decreto Ejecutivo No. 44280-S en donde se prohibió el uso de clorotalonil en Costa Rica. Así las cosas, en cuanto a dicho extremo el recurso debe ser desestimado.
V.La recurrente además reclama que la ASADA de Cipreses ha proporcionado cisternas, pero no es suficiente para toda la comunidad. Añade que en la comunidad de La Puente, dicha problemática ha incrementado debido a que, se están dando múltiples cortes de agua (de 9 a 11 am y de 2 a 6 pm), y un cisterna no es suficiente para abastecer a esa comunidad. Por su parte, el Presidente y Apoderado Generalísimo sin límite de suma de la Asociación de Acueducto de Cipreses de Oreamuno de Cartago informó que en el sector La Puente existe un tanque de agua de 5000 litros de agua para el consumo de agua potable, costado sur de la iglesia de La Puente y a 100 metros existe de la iglesia La Puente existe otro tanque de agua de 2500 litros de agua para el consumo de agua potable, dentro de los cuales se lleva una bitácora de control de lavado con cloro y de llenado en donde la asada los asiste incluso por medio de los carros de su representada en caminos intransitables en donde el camión cisterna no puede ingresar.
En relación con los racionamientos, existen criterios por parte de la Comisión Nacional de Emergencias en donde se hizo la advertencia y consciencia del gasto de agua debido a la sequía y el Distrito de Cipreses en conjunto con los sectores aledaños sufrieron por parte de las nacientes de Nombre03 y Nombre07 la baja del recurso hídrico en sus fuentes. En los casos de los sectores de La Puente, los cuales son abastecidos por la naciente de Nombre07 en los afueras, los cuales la Asada de Cipreses hace mensualmente el seguimiento del caudal y se tomaran medida de hacer campañas de concientización con respecto al uso y gasto del recurso hídrico de agua. Nótese que la autoridad recurrida informó que los racionamientos se debe a la sequía en el Distrito de Cipreses y sectores aledaños que sufrieron por parte de las nacientes de Nombre03 y Nombre07 lo que ocasionó la baja del recurso hídrico en sus fuentes.
Además, indicó que la asada los asiste incluso por medio de los carros de su representada en caminos intransitables en donde el camión cisterna no puede ingresar. En este sentido, la parte recurrente indica que los camiones cisternas son insuficientes, sin embargo, no señala de manera precisa y con más detalle, los motivos de su afirmación, en qué sector de la comunidad se presenta un servicio ineficiente o no se brinda del todo, los días precisos en que se han dado tales omisiones, ni aporta prueba que permita acreditar la vulneración de sus derechos fundamentales. Así las cosas, en cuanto a tal extremo el recurso debe ser desestimado.
VI.Documentación aportada al expediente. Se previene a las partes que de haber aportado algún documento en papel, así como objetos o pruebas contenidas en algún dispositivo adicional de carácter electrónico, informático, magnético, óptico, telemático o producido por nuevas tecnologías, estos deberán ser retirados del despacho en un plazo máximo de 30 días hábiles contados a partir de la notificación de esta sentencia. De lo contrario, será destruido todo aquel material que no sea retirado dentro de este plazo, según lo dispuesto en el "Reglamento sobre Expediente Electrónico ante el Poder Judicial", aprobado por la Corte Plena en sesión número 27-11 del 22 de agosto de 2011, artículo XXVI y publicado en el Boletín Judicial número 19 del 26 de enero de 2012, así como en el acuerdo aprobado por el Consejo Superior del Poder Judicial, en la sesión número 43-12 celebrada el 3 de mayo de 2012, artículo LXXXI.
POR TANTO:
Se declara sin lugar el recurso.
Fernando Castillo V.
Fernando Cruz C.
Luis Fdo. Salazar A.
Anamari Garro V.
Ingrid Hess H.
Alejandro Delgado F.
Jorge Isaac Solano A.
Document not found. Documento no encontrado.