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Res. 05315-2025 Sala Constitucional · Sala Constitucional · 21/02/2025
OutcomeResultado
The amparo is granted for violation of Article 50 of the Constitution, ordering the continuation of the construction of the Municipal Market wastewater treatment plant by November 15, 2025, and immediate measures to stop contamination of the Puntarenas Estuary.Se declara con lugar el amparo por violación al artículo 50 constitucional, ordenándose continuar la construcción de la planta de tratamiento de aguas residuales del Mercado Municipal para el 15 de noviembre de 2025 y tomar medidas inmediatas para detener la contaminación del Estero de Puntarenas.
SummaryResumen
The Constitutional Chamber reviewed an amparo filed by a citizen against the Municipality of Puntarenas and the Puntarenas-Chacarita Health Area of the Ministry of Health, regarding contamination of the Puntarenas Estuary with sewage and waste from the Municipal Market. The petitioner claimed that despite sanitary orders issued since 2019 and a criminal complaint for disobedience, authorities had allowed the situation to continue. The Chamber found it proven that on September 18, 2019, Sanitary Order OS-0013-REG-2019 was notified to the mayor, granting 10 months to process the construction of a wastewater treatment plant, and that over five years later the problem persisted without the municipality having a treatment system or an effective alternative plan. Regarding the Ministry of Health, although it conducted proceedings and filed a criminal complaint, these were insufficient. The Chamber granted the amparo, ordering (1) to continue with the construction plan for the treatment plant for completion by November 15, 2025, and (2) to take immediate measures to prevent continued contamination of the Estuary. Justice Salazar Alvarado added a separate opinion explaining his jurisdiction when health and quality of life risks are involved.La Sala Constitucional conoció un recurso de amparo interpuesto por un ciudadano contra la Municipalidad de Puntarenas y el Área Rectora de Salud Puntarenas-Chacarita del Ministerio de Salud, por la contaminación del Estero de Puntarenas con aguas negras y desechos provenientes del Mercado Municipal. El recurrente alegó que, pese a existir órdenes sanitarias desde 2019 y una denuncia penal por desobediencia, las autoridades permitían la situación. La Sala tuvo por acreditado que desde el 18 de setiembre de 2019 se notificó la orden sanitaria OS-0013-REG-2019 al alcalde, otorgando 10 meses para tramitar la construcción de una planta de tratamiento de aguas residuales, y que más de cinco años después el problema persistía, sin que la municipalidad contara con un sistema de tratamiento ni un plan alterno efectivo. En cuanto al Ministerio de Salud, aunque realizó gestiones y presentó denuncia penal, éstas fueron insuficientes. La Sala declaró con lugar el recurso, ordenando (1) continuar con el plan de construcción de la planta de tratamiento para finalizarla el 15 de noviembre de 2025, y (2) tomar medidas inmediatas para evitar que se siguiera contaminando el Estero. El magistrado Salazar Alvarado agregó una nota separada razonando su competencia para conocer el fondo cuando existen riesgos a la salud y la calidad de vida.
Key excerptExtracto clave
III.- REGARDING THE MUNICIPALITY OF PUNTARENAS. In the case at hand, the petitioner files an amparo alleging that the Puntarenas-Chacarita Health Area of the Ministry of Health filed a complaint for disobedience to authority with the Puntarenas Prosecutor's Office against the mayor of Puntarenas, for non-compliance with various sanitary orders. He states that the reason for that complaint was the contamination of the Puntarenas Estuary with sewage and other waste from the Municipal Market. He claims that, despite the existence of various sanitary orders, the municipal and health authorities continue to allow and perpetuate the denounced contamination and environmental damage. He adds that the respondent authorities agreed to and accepted a remedial plan; however, the corresponding actions to stop the repeated damage to the environment are not being taken. In this regard, the mayor reports that the municipality is working on the wastewater treatment plant for the Puntarenas market, under a schedule authorized by the Ministry of Health. In addition, it is pending execution, through the APC platform, of the respective procedure for the construction of a wastewater treatment system. He notes that the proposed completion date is November 15, 2025. Therefore, this Court requested the respondent authority to report whether the municipality has a remedial plan in order to prevent continued contamination of the Estuary while the indicated treatment plant is built. In response, it was reported that the remedial plan proposed was to connect the waters to the system administered by AyA that operates in central Puntarenas. Thus, after analyzing the sworn reports from the respondent authorities and the evidence on file, this Chamber finds the alleged violation proven. This is because it has been established that since September 18, 2019, the Puntarenas-Chacarita Health Area of the Ministry of Health notified the mayor of the respondent municipality of Sanitary Order No. OS-0013-REG-2019, which grants a period of 10 months to carry out the respective procedure for the construction of a wastewater treatment system, in order to prevent contamination of the Puntarenas Estuary; however, more than five years later the problem continues and, although the respondent acknowledges the problem and states that actions have been taken to comply with the order, the truth is that it has not been sufficient, as the representative of the health area reports that in an inspection of the central market on December 20, 2024, it was determined that the respondent municipality has not complied with the sanitary order issued by that health area regarding the problem of sewage treatment affecting the Puntarenas Estuary. Therefore, on January 6, 2025, the case was elevated to the higher authorities of that ministry, recommending that the prudent step is to proceed with the closure of the Central Market of Puntarenas, since no actions have been evidenced reflecting the existence of a wastewater treatment system, nor has it demonstrated having an alternative plan to manage the public health risks caused by the inadequate functioning of said market.III.- SOBRE LA MUNICIPALIDAD DE PUNTARENAS. En el sub lite, el recurrente acude en amparo y alega que el Área Rectora de Salud Puntarenas-Chacarita del Ministerio de Salud, interpuso ante la Fiscalía Adjunta de Puntarenas, una denuncia por desobediencia a la autoridad contra el alcalde de Puntarenas, por el incumplimiento de distintas órdenes sanitarias. Indica que la razón de esa denuncia era la contaminación del Estero de Puntarenas con aguas negras y otros desechos, provenientes del Mercado Municipal. Reclama que a pesar de que existen distintas órdenes sanitarias, las autoridades municipales y de salud siguen permitiendo y perpetuando la contaminación y el daño ambiental denunciado. Agrega que las autoridades recurridas acordaron y aceptaron un plan remedial; sin embargo, no se toman las acciones correspondientes para detener el daño reiterado al ambiente. Al respecto, informa el alcalde que esa municipalidad está trabajando en el tema de la planta de tratamiento de aguas residuales del mercado de Puntarenas, bajo un cronograma autorizado por el Ministerio de Salud. Además, que se encuentra pendiente de ejecutar, a través de la plataforma APC, el trámite respectivo de construcción de un sistema de tratamiento de aguas residuales. Señala que la fecha de finalización propuesta es el 15 noviembre 2025. Por lo anterior, este Tribunal solicitó a la autoridad accionada informar si esa municipalidad cuenta con un plan remedial a fin de evitar de que se siga contaminando el Estero, mientras se construye la planta de tratamiento que se indica. De lo anterior se informó que como plan remedial se propuso conectar las aguas al sistema administrado por el AYA que opera en Puntarenas centro. Así, después de analizar los informes rendidos bajo juramento por parte de las autoridades accionadas y de la prueba que consta en el expediente, esta Sala acredita la vulneración acusada. Lo anterior porque ha quedado acreditado que desde el 18 de setiembre del 2019 el Área Rectora de Salud Puntarenas-Chacarita del Ministerio de Salud, notificó el alcalde de la municipalidad accionada de la orden sanitaria N° OS-0013-REG-2019, donde se da un plazo de 10 meses para realizar el trámite respectivo de construcción de un sistema de tratamiento de aguas residuales, a fin de evitar la contaminación del Estero de Puntarenas; sin embargo, más de cinco años después la problemática continúa y, si bien el recurrido reconoce el problema e indica que se han realizado acciones a fin de cumplir lo ordenado, lo cierto es que no ha sido suficiente, pues informa la representante del área rectora de salud que en inspección realizada al mercado central el 20 de diciembre del 2024 se determinó que la municipalidad accionada no ha cumplido con la orden sanitaria que fue emitida por esa área de salud, respecto a la problemática del tratamiento de aguas negras que afectan el Estero de Puntarenas. Por lo anterior, el 6 de enero de 2025 se elevó el caso ante las autoridades superiores de ese ministerio, donde se recomienda que lo prudente es proceder con la clausura del Mercado Central de Puntarenas, ya que no se ha evidenciado acciones que reflejen contar con un sistema de tratamiento de aguas residuales, tampoco ha demostrado contar con un plan alterno que permita administrar los riesgos a la salud pública ocasionados por el inadecuado funcionamiento de dicho mercado.
Pull quotesCitas destacadas
"Así, después de analizar los informes rendidos bajo juramento por parte de las autoridades accionadas y de la prueba que consta en el expediente, esta Sala acredita la vulneración acusada."
"Thus, after analyzing the sworn reports from the respondent authorities and the evidence on file, this Chamber finds the alleged violation proven."
Considerando III
"Así, después de analizar los informes rendidos bajo juramento por parte de las autoridades accionadas y de la prueba que consta en el expediente, esta Sala acredita la vulneración acusada."
Considerando III
"En consecuencia, lo que corresponde es declarar con lugar el recurso en contra de la Municipalidad de Puntarenas y del Área Rectora de Salud Puntarenas-Chacarita del Ministerio de Salud, por la afectación al artículo 50 constitucional."
"Consequently, the appropriate course is to grant the amparo against the Municipality of Puntarenas and the Puntarenas-Chacarita Health Area of the Ministry of Health, for the infringement of Article 50 of the Constitution."
Considerando IV
"En consecuencia, lo que corresponde es declarar con lugar el recurso en contra de la Municipalidad de Puntarenas y del Área Rectora de Salud Puntarenas-Chacarita del Ministerio de Salud, por la afectación al artículo 50 constitucional."
Considerando IV
"Se ordena a Nombre45944, alcalde de Puntarenas y a Nombre35115, directora del Área Rectora de Salud (ARS) Puntarenas – Chacarita, o a quienes ocupen esos cargos que: 1) coordinen lo necesario dentro del ámbito de sus competencias a efectos de que se continúe con el plan de la construcción de una Planta de Tratamiento de Aguas Residuales generadas en el Mercado Municipal dentro del plazo ya señalado, sea para su finalización el 15 noviembre de 2025; 2) que de manera INMEDIANTA se tomen las medidas que sean necesarias a fin de evitar que se siga contaminando el Estero de Puntarenas producto de la aguas residuales generadas en el Mercado Municipal."
"It is ordered to Nombre45944, mayor of Puntarenas, and Nombre35115, director of the Puntarenas-Chacarita Health Area (ARS), or whoever holds those positions, to: 1) coordinate whatever is necessary within the scope of their powers so that the plan for the construction of a Wastewater Treatment Plant for the Municipal Market continues within the already indicated timeframe, i.e., for completion by November 15, 2025; 2) IMMEDIATELY take the necessary measures to prevent continued contamination of the Puntarenas Estuary as a result of wastewater generated in the Municipal Market."
Por tanto
"Se ordena a Nombre45944, alcalde de Puntarenas y a Nombre35115, directora del Área Rectora de Salud (ARS) Puntarenas – Chacarita, o a quienes ocupen esos cargos que: 1) coordinen lo necesario dentro del ámbito de sus competencias a efectos de que se continúe con el plan de la construcción de una Planta de Tratamiento de Aguas Residuales generadas en el Mercado Municipal dentro del plazo ya señalado, sea para su finalización el 15 noviembre de 2025; 2) que de manera INMEDIANTA se tomen las medidas que sean necesarias a fin de evitar que se siga contaminando el Estero de Puntarenas producto de la aguas residuales generadas en el Mercado Municipal."
Por tanto
"No obstante, sí entro a conocer el fondo del asunto cuando están de por medio otros derechos de las personas afectadas por el foco de contaminación, entre ellos, la salud, la calidad de vida y el derecho a gozar de un ambiente sano y libre de contaminación (artículo 50, de la Constitución Política), tal y como sucede en este caso..."
"Nevertheless, I do address the merits of the case when other rights of persons affected by the source of contamination are involved, including health, quality of life, and the right to enjoy a healthy and pollution-free environment (Article 50 of the Political Constitution), as is the case here..."
Nota del Magistrado Salazar Alvarado
"No obstante, sí entro a conocer el fondo del asunto cuando están de por medio otros derechos de las personas afectadas por el foco de contaminación, entre ellos, la salud, la calidad de vida y el derecho a gozar de un ambiente sano y libre de contaminación (artículo 50, de la Constitución Política), tal y como sucede en este caso..."
Nota del Magistrado Salazar Alvarado
Full documentDocumento completo
Date of Resolution: February 21, 2025 at 09:20 Type of matter: Amparo action Judgment with separate note Relevance Indicators Relevant judgment Judgment with protected data, in accordance with current regulations Content of Interest:
Type of content: Majority vote Branch of Law: 4. MATTERS OF GUARANTEE Topic: MUNICIPALITY Subtopics:
SEWER SYSTEM. INFRASTRUCTURE AND CONDITIONS.
Topic: EXECUTIVE BRANCH Subtopics:
SANITARY ORDER..
005315-25. MUNICIPALITY. EXECUTIVE BRANCH. THE MUNICIPALITY OF PUNTARENAS AND THE GOVERNING HEALTH AREA (ARS) PUNTARENAS – CHACARITA ARE ORDERED TO: 1) COORDINATE WHAT IS NECESSARY WITHIN THE SCOPE OF THEIR COMPETENCIES SO THAT THE PLAN FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT FOR THE WASTEWATER GENERATED IN THE MUNICIPAL MARKET CONTINUES WITHIN THE ALREADY INDICATED PERIOD, THAT IS, FOR ITS COMPLETION BY NOVEMBER 15, 2025; 2) THAT THE NECESSARY MEASURES BE TAKEN IMMEDIATELY TO PREVENT THE CONTINUED CONTAMINATION OF THE PUNTARENAS ESTUARY (ESTERO DE PUNTARENAS) AS A RESULT OF THE WASTEWATER GENERATED IN THE MUNICIPAL MARKET. VCG03/2025 “(…) III.-REGARDING THE MUNICIPALITY OF PUNTARENAS. In the case at hand (sub lite), the petitioner files an amparo action and alleges that the Governing Health Area Puntarenas-Chacarita (Área Rectora de Salud Puntarenas-Chacarita) of the Ministry of Health filed a complaint for disobedience to authority against the mayor of Puntarenas with the Deputy Prosecutor's Office of Puntarenas (Fiscalía Adjunta de Puntarenas) for non-compliance with various sanitary orders (órdenes sanitarias).
He indicates that the reason for that complaint was the contamination of the Estero de Puntarenas with raw sewage (aguas negras) and other waste, coming from the Municipal Market. He complains that despite the existence of various sanitary orders, the municipal and health authorities continue to allow and perpetuate the contamination and the environmental damage reported. He adds that the respondent authorities agreed to and accepted a remedial plan; however, the corresponding actions are not being taken to stop the repeated damage to the environment.
In this regard, the mayor reports that this municipality is working on the issue of the wastewater treatment plant (planta de tratamiento de aguas residuales) for the Puntarenas market, under a schedule authorized by the Ministry of Health. Furthermore, the respective procedure for the construction of a wastewater treatment system is pending execution through the APC platform. He points out that the proposed completion date is November 15, 2025. Therefore, this Court requested the respondent authority to report whether this municipality has a remedial plan to prevent the continued contamination of the Estero while the indicated treatment plant is being built. From the foregoing, it was reported that as a remedial plan, it was proposed to connect the waters to the system administered by the AYA that operates in downtown Puntarenas.
Thus, after analyzing the reports rendered under oath by the respondent authorities and the evidence in the file, this Chamber finds the alleged violation to be proven. The foregoing because it has been proven that since September 18, 2019, the Governing Health Area Puntarenas-Chacarita of the Ministry of Health notified the mayor of the respondent municipality of sanitary order No. OS-0013-REG-2019, in which a period of 10 months is given to carry out the respective procedure for the construction of a wastewater treatment system, in order to avoid the contamination of the Estero de Puntarenas; however, more than five years later the problem continues and, although the respondent acknowledges the problem and indicates that actions have been taken to comply with what was ordered, the truth is that this has not been sufficient, as the representative of the governing health area reports that in an inspection carried out at the central market on December 20, 2024, it was determined that the respondent municipality has not complied with the sanitary order that was issued by that health area, regarding the problem of raw sewage treatment affecting the Estero de Puntarenas.
Therefore, on January 6, 2025, the case was elevated to the superior authorities of that ministry, where it is recommended that the prudent course of action is to proceed with the closure (clausura) of the Central Market of Puntarenas, since no actions have been evidenced that reflect having a wastewater treatment system, nor has it demonstrated having an alternate plan to manage the risks to public health caused by the inadequate functioning of said market.
IV.On the other hand, with respect to the Ministry of Health, although from the reports rendered and the evidence in the record, it is proven that the respondent authority of the Governing Health Area Puntarenas-Chacarita of the Ministry of Health has carried out efforts so that the respondent municipality complies with the order of that area, as seen in the proven facts of this judgment, and that, given the non-compliance with sanitary order No. OS-0013-REG-2019, on March 17, 2020, it filed a judicial complaint for disobedience to the health authority before the Deputy Prosecutor's Office of Puntarenas; however, for this Chamber, these have been insufficient to effectively solve the serious environmental impact detected, so it must continue supervising the correction of the problem, as well as order the pertinent provisional measures for its solution.
Consequently, it is appropriate to declare the amparo action with merit (con lugar) against the Municipality of Puntarenas and the Governing Health Area Puntarenas-Chacarita of the Ministry of Health, for the impact on Article 50 of the Constitution.” ... See more Content of Interest:
Type of content: Separate note Branch of Law: 1. POLITICAL CONSTITUTION WITH JURISPRUDENCE Topic: 050- Environment Subtopics:
NOT APPLICABLE.
In environmental matters, it is the undersigned's criterion that, if there has already been intervention by the Public Administration, its knowledge and resolution corresponds to the contentious-administrative jurisdiction (jurisdicción contenciosa administrativa). However, I do address the merits of the matter when other rights of the people affected by the source of contamination are at stake, among them, health, quality of life, and the right to enjoy a healthy and pollution-free environment (Article 50 of the Political Constitution), as is the case here, where the contamination and impacts on the estero of Puntarenas from raw sewage and other waste from the Municipal Market are claimed. The petitioner points out that even though there are various sanitary orders, the municipal and health authorities continue to allow and perpetuate the contamination and the environmental damage reported, which affects the health and life of the petitioner and the residents of that locality, and implies a risk to public health. The foregoing, in violation of the right to enjoy a healthy and ecologically balanced environment and a dignified level of quality of life.
VCG03/2025 ... See more SALA CONSTITUCIONAL DE LA CORTE SUPREMA DE JUSTICIA. San José, at nine hours twenty minutes on February twenty-first, two thousand twenty-five.
Amparo action processed under file number No. 24-031922-0007-CO, filed by Nombre48740, identity card CED16106, against the MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND THE MUNICIPALITY OF PUNTARENAS.
WHEREAS (RESULTANDO):
REGARDING THE ACTIONS OF THE HEALTH DIRECTORATE AREA 1. As part of the actions carried out by this Directorate aimed at directing and guiding social actors to develop actions aimed at improving the physical, mental, and social health status of the inhabitants, through the exercise of stewardship (rectoría) of the national health system, with a focus on health promotion and disease prevention, fostering a healthy and balanced human environment, under the principles of equity, efficiency, quality, transparency, and respect for diversity; the undersigned has facilitated various meeting spaces with key social actors, including: the Ministry of Culture and Youth, the Cultural Heritage Research and Conservation Center Architectural Historical Heritage Unit, and the Water and Sewer Institute (Acueductos y Alcantarillados), with the purpose of carrying out a comprehensive approach to the existing problems at the market of the Municipality of Puntarenas.
At the time, an in-person meeting was held at the facilities of the Market in question, on October 31, 2023, with the presence of the municipal market administrator, the leader of the municipal market stallholders, a municipal official, and an official from the Water and Sewer Institute (Acueductos y Alcantarillados), among others, analyzing the possibility that the disposal of wastewater could be resolved by making a connection to the existing sanitary sewer system administered by Nombre356. However, Nombre356 explained the need for the Municipality of Puntarenas to install a septic tank, so that a preliminary treatment of the special waters generated in the sections of the market of the Municipality of Puntarenas would be carried out before being discharged into the existing sanitary sewer system administered by Nombre356, thereby preventing the spread of foul odors and other sanitary risks in the city of Puntarenas.
In view of this, and despite the coordination efforts made by this servant with key social actors, the Municipality of Puntarenas has not demonstrated any concrete action complying with what was indicated by Nombre356 on this matter; nor has the municipality demonstrated any action reflecting effective coordination with the Architectural Historical Heritage Unit of the Ministry of Culture in this regard. 2. It should be noted that the sanitary order requesting that the Municipality of Puntarenas carry out, through the construction project administration platform (administración de proyectos de construcción, APC) of the Federated College of Engineers and Architects of Costa Rica (Colegio Federados de Ingenieros y Arquitectos de Costa Rica, CFIA), the respective procedure for the construction of a wastewater treatment system, grants the municipality the freedom to decide on how it will resolve the pending sanitary order.
In this case, the municipality continues to refer solely and exclusively to the construction of a treatment plant, which it has not yet managed to materialize, and likewise, the municipality has not submitted to this Health Directorate Area concrete actions reflecting an alternative plan to connect to the existing sanitary sewer system in the area to resolve the sanitary order in question. This clarification is made regarding what was reported by the Municipality of Puntarenas through official letter N° MP-DDTU-OF-002-01-2025 signed by Nombre56634, Director of Territorial and Urban Development of the Municipality of Puntarenas. 3. Thus, what is stated in official letter N° MP-DDTU-OF-002-01-2025, dated January 8, 2025, signed by Nombre56634, Director of Territorial and Urban Development, is completely false, in which it is indicated that: “…as a remedial plan while the process for the construction of the wastewater treatment plant (PTAR) at the market was underway, it was proposed to connect the waters to the system administered by Nombre356 that operates in downtown Puntarenas.
However, I understand that the Ministry of Health issued an opinion (I do not know if it was in writing) that said waters could not be connected to the Puntarenas sanitary sewer system. That is all I know about it.” It is false that the Ministry of Health issued an opinion on the matter; on the contrary, what really happened is that the Directorate of the Puntarenas-Chacarita Health Directorate Area, represented by the undersigned, facilitates meeting spaces and establishes communication with key social actors, in order to facilitate inter-institutional coordination for the prompt search for solutions, which the Municipality of Puntarenas clearly fails to take advantage of, because it does not demonstrate any action to implement what was recommended by A y A, so that they can connect to the existing sanitary sewer system in the city of Puntarenas and instead chooses to build a water treatment plant that it has also not managed to materialize. 4.
It is important to mention that, in all likelihood, one of the limiting factors could be the fact that the payment of the fine associated with case N°3059, reflected in the offender registry system (sistema de registro de infractores, SINFRA) – Tobacco Control of the Ministry of Health, remains pending. This is regarding what was stated by officials of the Municipality of Puntarenas during a virtual meeting, via the Zoom platform, held on January 7, 2025, with the undersigned and Lic. Nombre56637, of the Health Regulation Process of the Puntarenas-Chacarita Health Directorate Area. It is necessary to state that in the aforementioned meeting, the mayor and municipal officials expressed that said fine causes them inconvenience because it causes delays in the relevant procedure for the wastewater treatment plant generated at the market of the Municipality of Puntarenas. 5. It should be noted that on October 30, 2023, the undersigned notified Mr.
Nombre56632, Mayor of the Municipality of Puntarenas, via official letter N° MSDRRSPC-DARSPC-0502-2023, by which the remedial plan was partially approved so that all points of the issued sanitary orders would be fulfilled within the maximum deadline of January 31, 2024, based on the principles of proportionality, reasonableness, and social justice. 6. Despite the fact that it is the Municipality of Puntarenas that establishes its own compliance deadlines, committing to comply with the pending sanitary orders regarding the case of the Market of the Municipality of Puntarenas, it once again fails to comply with the sanitary orders, taking into consideration that during the year 2020, this case had been escalated to the Public Prosecutor's Office for disobedience to authority, and that the municipality persists in non-compliance. This servant has informed superior authorities of the Ministry of Health not to continue extending deadlines to the municipality, and once again this year, the undersigned recommends to superior authorities of the Ministry of Health to close the Market of the Municipality of Puntarenas, given the repeated non-compliance with sanitary orders issued in this case. 7.
This servant, in duty of obedience, follows up on the log of the virtual meeting held on October 1, 2024, where compliance deadlines for the sanitary orders in question were extended. At the time of preparing this report, the Municipality of Puntarenas has not complied with what was agreed upon in said meeting; in fact, no response has been received from the municipal officials who participated in the aforementioned virtual meeting when they were asked to provide their digital signature on said meeting log. As part of the follow-ups to agreements in said meeting, Dr. Nombre56638, Acting Director of the Central Pacific Regional Directorate, together with environmental manager Licda. Nombre56639 of the Regulation Process of the Puntarenas-Chacarita Health Directorate Area, participated in an in-person meeting with the Mayor of the Municipality of Puntarenas to follow up on compliance with sanitary orders in the case of the Market of the Municipality of Puntarenas, and no concrete action by the municipality reflecting compliance with the sanitary orders in question is observed either.
At the time, the Directorate General of Health made adjustments or observations specifically to the log of the virtual meeting held on October 1, 2024, leaving the following as an agreement of said meeting: the Directorate of the Puntarenas-Chacarita Health Directorate Area, together with the Central Pacific Regional Directorate and the support of the administration and logistics area, is requested to analyze the schedule proposed by the Municipality in order to define deadlines that are effectively reasonable for addressing the issue of the construction and commissioning of the treatment plant for the Puntarenas Municipal Market. Given this, official letter N° MS-DRRSPC-DARSPC-0678-2024 and its annexes were prepared, determining that the closure of the Market of the Municipality of Puntarenas is recommended and that it is inadvisable to continue extending deadlines to the Municipality for compliance with sanitary orders that were even escalated to the Public Prosecutor's Office for non-compliance during 2020. 8.
Likewise, despite the fact that the Municipality of Puntarenas refers to a compliance report regarding the sanitary orders in question, notified on December 17, 2024, to the following email address: ...172, the recipient does not correspond to any of the collaborators of the Puntarenas-Chacarita Health Directorate Area, the organizational unit responsible for handling and following up on the case of the Market of the Municipality of Puntarenas. For this reason, the undersigned is unaware of the content of said report. In any case, based on the foregoing, it is demonstrated that currently, the Municipality of Puntarenas has not evidenced actions reflecting that it has a wastewater treatment system, nor has it demonstrated having an alternative plan that allows managing the risks to public health caused by the inadequate operation of the Market of the Municipality of Puntarenas. From the foregoing, it is determined that the Directorate of the Puntarenas-Chacarita Health Directorate Area, represented by the undersigned, has acted in accordance with the provisions of our legal system, all within the framework of legality, fulfilling the mission of the Ministry of Health to direct and guide social actors to develop actions aimed at improving the physical, mental, and social health status of the inhabitants through the exercise of stewardship (rectoría) of the National Health System, with a focus on health promotion and disease prevention, fostering a healthy and balanced human environment, under the principles of equity, efficiency, quality, transparency, and respect for diversity.
This is reflected in the actions that the undersigned carries out to foster meeting spaces with key social actors (visible in the administrative file pages 000009, 0000010 to 0000018), as well as facilitating inter-institutional coordination (visible in the administrative file page 0000019, 0000020) in search of solutions to the existing problems at the Market of the Municipality of Puntarenas, specifically in rectifying what was indicated in the sanitary order related to the Municipality of Puntarenas carrying out, through the construction project administration platform (APC) of the Federated College of Engineers and Architects of Costa Rica (CFIA), the respective procedure for the construction of a wastewater treatment system. Initially, the municipality decided to resolve this by connecting the wastewater to the sanitary sewer system of the Water and Sewer Institute (Acueductos y Alcantarillados) in the city of Puntarenas; however, at the time of preparing this report, the Municipality of Puntarenas has not presented a concrete action in this regard.
Subsequently, the municipality decided to resolve the order in question with the construction of a treatment plant; however, it has also not presented a concrete action in this regard to date that would allow compliance with the sanitary order. On the contrary, an inconvenience is observed caused by the fact that the Municipality of Puntarenas is in default before the Ministry of Health, with the payment of the fine associated with case N°3059 pending, reflected in the offender registry system – Tobacco Control (SINFRA) of the Ministry of Health, which, according to the Municipality of Puntarenas, is causing delays in the relevant procedure for the wastewater treatment plant generated at the market of the Municipality of Puntarenas (visible in the administrative file pages 00000100, 00000101). While it is true that on October 1, 2024, the Municipality of Puntarenas, together with superior authorities of the Ministry of Health, analyzed a new compliance schedule for the sanitary orders in question (visible in the administrative file pages 0000021 to 0000024), and at the time, an observation was made by Nombre56640, Director General of Health, in the log of the virtual meeting held on October 1, 2024, where it indicates as an agreement: “the Directorate of the Puntarenas-Chacarita Health Directorate Area, together with the Central Pacific Regional Directorate and the support of the administration and logistics area, is requested to analyze the schedule proposed by the Municipality in order to define deadlines that are effectively reasonable for addressing the issue of the construction and commissioning of the treatment plant for the Puntarenas Municipal Market” (visible in the administrative file pages 0000026, 0000027).
As part of the follow-up to the agreements reached in the aforementioned meeting, the undersigned exposed sanitary and legal risks to superior authorities of the Ministry of Health, highlighting among other aspects, that it is inadvisable to continue extending deadlines for compliance with sanitary orders regarding the case of the Market of the Municipality of Puntarenas, which were even escalated to the Public Prosecutor's Office during 2020, taking into consideration its non-compliance, and that currently non-compliance with sanitary orders related to the Market of the Municipality of Puntarenas persists. For this reason, the closure of the property in question is recommended (visible in the administrative file notified to the Constitutional Chamber on January 8 and 9, 2025, pages 0000031 to 0000030 / pages 0000043 to 0000061). The undersigned, in duty of obedience, complies with the agreement of the virtual meeting held on October 1, 2024, according to adjustments made in the log of said meeting by Nombre56640, Director General of Health, related to defining deadlines that are effectively reasonable for addressing the issue of the construction and commissioning of the treatment plant for the Puntarenas Municipal Market, despite being in disagreement (visible in the administrative file page 0000038), given that the deadlines were established in a reasonable manner since 2019, when the sanitary orders in question were issued.
The undersigned even partially approved a Remedial Plan presented by the Municipality of Puntarenas during 2023 (visible in the administrative file pages 000001 to 000008), which the municipality once again failed to comply with. The problem lies in the irresponsibility demonstrated by the Municipality of Puntarenas by repeatedly failing to comply with the sanitary orders, despite the multiple opportunities that the undersigned has granted to the municipality to comply with the questioned sanitary orders. Municipal inaction even led to the disobedience to authority being escalated to the Public Prosecutor's Office during 2020. Likewise, despite the fact that the Municipality of Puntarenas refers to a compliance report regarding the sanitary orders in question, notified on December 17, 2024, to the following email address: ...172, the recipient does not correspond to any of the collaborators of the Puntarenas-Chacarita Health Directorate Area, the organizational unit responsible for handling and following up on the case of the Market of the Municipality of Puntarenas.
For this reason, the undersigned is unaware of the content of said report. In any case, based on the foregoing, it is demonstrated that currently, the Municipality of Puntarenas has not evidenced actions reflecting that it has a wastewater treatment system, nor has it demonstrated having an alternative plan that allows managing the risks to public health caused by the inadequate operation of the Market of the Municipality of Puntarenas.” It requests that the appeal be dismissed.
In the proceedings followed, the legal prescriptions have been observed.
Drafted by Magistrate Hess Herrera; and,
WHEREAS:
The appellant alleges that on March 17, 2020, through official letter MSDRRSPC-0134-2020, the director of the Puntarenas-Chacarita Health Directorate Area of the Ministry of Health filed a complaint for disobedience to authority against the mayor of Puntarenas with the Deputy Prosecutor's Office of Puntarenas, for non-compliance with various sanitary orders. He indicates that the reason for that complaint was the contamination of the Puntarenas estuary (estero) with blackwater and other waste from the Municipal Market. He claims that despite the existence of various sanitary orders, the municipal and health authorities continue to allow and perpetuate the reported contamination and environmental damage. He adds that the respondent authorities agreed upon and accepted a remedial plan; however, the corresponding actions are not being taken to stop the repeated damage to the environment. He requests the intervention of the Chamber.
The following facts are deemed duly proven for the decision of this matter:
Regarding the Puntarenas-Chacarita Health Directorate Area of the Ministry of Health:
1. On September 18, 2019, the mayor of Puntarenas was notified physically, of relevance to this amparo, of sanitary order N° OS-0013-REG-2019, which establishes a period of 10 MONTHS to: “Carry out, through the APC platform, the respective procedure for the construction of a wastewater treatment system. Leachates (lixiviados) generated in the temporary waste storage area must be conducted to said system.” (report rendered and evidence provided); 2. On March 17, 2020, the respondent health area filed a judicial complaint for disobedience to health authority before the Deputy Prosecutor's Office of Puntarenas against the Municipality of Puntarenas. (report rendered); 3. On October 16, 2023, official letter MS-DGS-3306-2023 was received, signed by the Director General of Health, in which the director of the Central Pacific Regional Health Stewardship Directorate is instructed as follows: “that considering that the Municipality of Puntarenas has failed to comply with what was requested in sanitary orders 0011-REG-2019, 0012-REG-2019 and 0013-REG-2019, proceeding with the closure of the establishment “Dirección1949” immediately is appropriate, in order to preserve the health of the population and in accordance with the provisions of the current regulatory framework.” (report rendered and evidence provided); 4.
On October 20, 2023, official letter MS-DRRSPC-DARSPC-0476-2023 was notified to Mr. Nombre56632, municipal mayor, at the email address: ..., where he was informed about the closure of the municipal market, and a prudential time is granted until October 27, 2023, for the administrators of the Municipal Market stalls to remove perishable and similar products, before proceeding with the notification of the corresponding closure record. (report rendered and evidence provided); 5. On October 26, 2023, four files containing remedial plans were received via institutional email through official letter MP-AM-OF-8952-10-2023, in response to the pending aspects to be rectified, requested in the sanitary orders. Regarding what is relevant to order OS-0013-REG-2019, the plan indicates: “Eliminate the practices of depositing septic sludge into the estuary, by notifying tenants prohibiting such practices.” (report rendered and evidence provided); 6.
That among the main anomalies pending correction within the notified sanitary orders, with respect to this appeal, is: the construction of a Wastewater Treatment Plant for the waters generated at the Municipal Market, which would prevent the direct discharge of raw wastewater into the estuary in this sector of Puntarenas. The Ministry of Health provided a location approval (visto bueno de ubicación) for the Wastewater Treatment Plant on June 20, 2024. (report rendered and evidence provided); 7. Report rendered from the evidence for better resolution that was requested: On December 20, 2024, an inspection of the Central Market was carried out and it was determined that the respondent municipality has not complied with the order issued by the health area regarding the problem of blackwater treatment affecting the Puntarenas Estuary. Therefore, on January 6, 2025, the case was escalated to the superior authorities of that Ministry, where it is recommended that the prudent course of action is to proceed with the closure of the Market of the Municipality of Puntarenas, since no actions have been evidenced reflecting that it has a wastewater treatment system, nor has it demonstrated having an alternative plan that allows managing the risks to public health caused by the inadequate operation of the Market of the Municipality of Puntarenas. (report rendered and evidence provided).
Regarding the Municipality of Puntarenas:
8. That according to an investigation carried out by Eng. Nombre47871, director of Territorial and Urban Development of the Municipality of Puntarenas, through Official Letter MP-DDTU-OF-390-11-2024 dated November 21, 2024, the following is indicated: “The Municipality of Puntarenas is working on the issue of the Puntarenas market's wastewater treatment plant under a schedule authorized by the Ministry of Health, which is reviewed and adjusted quarterly to the reality of the bureaucratic procedures derived from it. That it is pending execution, through the APC platform, of the respective procedure for the construction of a wastewater treatment system. That the completion date proposed by the Municipality of Puntarenas is November 15, 2025.” (report rendered); 9. Report rendered from the evidence for better resolution that was requested: That according to official letter N° MP-DDTU-OF-002-01-2025 dated January 8, 2025, it is indicated: “As a Remedial Plan while the process for the construction of the treatment plant at the market is underway, it was proposed to connect the waters to the system administered by AYA that operates in downtown Puntarenas. It is understood that the remedial plan is while the construction of the Market treatment plant is carried out.” (report rendered);
In the sub lite, the appellant files for amparo, alleging that the Puntarenas-Chacarita Health Directorate Area of the Ministry of Health filed a complaint for disobedience to authority against the mayor of Puntarenas with the Deputy Prosecutor's Office of Puntarenas for non-compliance with various sanitary orders. He indicates that the reason for that complaint was the contamination of the Puntarenas Estuary with blackwater and other waste from the Municipal Market. He claims that despite the existence of various sanitary orders, the municipal and health authorities continue to allow and perpetuate the reported contamination and environmental damage. He adds that the respondent authorities agreed upon and accepted a remedial plan; however, the corresponding actions are not being taken to stop the repeated damage to the environment.
In this regard, the mayor reports that the municipality is working on the issue of the Puntarenas market's wastewater treatment plant under a schedule authorized by the Ministry of Health. Furthermore, the respective procedure for the construction of a wastewater treatment system through the APC platform is pending execution. He points out that the proposed completion date is November 15, 2025. Based on the foregoing, this Tribunal requested the respondent authority to report whether that municipality has a remedial plan to prevent the Estuary from continuing to be contaminated while the indicated treatment plant is being built. From the foregoing, it was reported that as a remedial plan, it was proposed to connect the waters to the system administered by AYA that operates in downtown Puntarenas.
Thus, after analyzing the reports rendered under oath by the respondent authorities and the evidence contained in the file, this Chamber confirms the alleged violation. The foregoing because it has been proven that since September 18, 2019, the Puntarenas-Chacarita Health Directorate Area of the Ministry of Health notified the mayor of the respondent municipality of sanitary order N° OS-0013-REG-2019, where a 10-month period is given to carry out the respective procedure for the construction of a wastewater treatment system, in order to prevent the contamination of the Puntarenas Estuary; however, more than five years later, the problem continues, and while the respondent acknowledges the problem and indicates that actions have been taken to comply with what was ordered, the truth is that this has not been sufficient, as the representative of the health directorate area reports that during an inspection carried out at the central market on December 20, 2024, it was determined that the respondent municipality has not complied with the sanitary order that was issued by that health area regarding the problem of blackwater treatment affecting the Puntarenas Estuary.
For the foregoing reasons, on January 6, 2025, the case was elevated to the superior authorities of that ministry, where it was recommended that the prudent course is to proceed with the closure of the Mercado Central de Puntarenas, given that no actions have been evidenced reflecting the existence of a wastewater treatment system, nor has it demonstrated having an alternate plan to manage the public health risks caused by the inadequate operation of said market.
IV.Furthermore, with respect to the Ministry of Health, although from the reports rendered and the evidence in the record, it is established that the respondent authority of the Área Rectora de Salud Puntarenas-Chacarita of the Ministry of Health has undertaken steps so that the respondent municipality complies with the order of that area, as seen in the proven facts of this judgment and that, in the face of non-compliance with sanitary order No. OS-0013-REG-2019, on March 17, 2020, it filed a judicial complaint for disobedience to the health authority before the Fiscalía Adjunta de Puntarenas; however, for this Chamber, these have been insufficient to effectively resolve the serious environmental damage detected, for which reason it must continue supervising the correction of the problem, as well as ordering the pertinent provisional measures for its solution.
Consequently, the appropriate course is to grant the appeal against the Municipalidad de Puntarenas and the Área Rectora de Salud Puntarenas-Chacarita of the Ministry of Health, for the violation of Article 50 of the Constitution.
In environmental matters, it is the criterion of the undersigned that, if the Public Administration has already intervened, its cognizance and resolution fall to the administrative contentious jurisdiction. Nevertheless, I do enter into the merits of the matter when other rights of the persons affected by the source of contamination are at stake, among them, health, quality of life, and the right to enjoy a healthy environment free from pollution (Article 50 of the Constitución Política), as is the case here, in which the contamination of and damage to the estero de Puntarenas from sewage and other waste originating from the Municipal Market are claimed. The appellant points out that even though various sanitary orders exist, the municipal and health authorities continue to permit and perpetuate the denounced contamination and environmental damage, which produces an impact on the health and life of the petitioner and the residents of that locality, and entails a risk to public health. The foregoing, in violation of the right to enjoy a healthy and ecologically balanced environment and a dignified level of quality of life.
The parties are warned that, if they have provided any paper documents, 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 retrieved from the office within a maximum period of 30 business days counted from the notification of this judgment. Otherwise, any material not retrieved within this period will be destroyed, in accordance with 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 Boletín Judicial number 19 of January 26, 2012, as well as the agreement approved by the Consejo Superior del Poder Judicial, in session No. 4l3-12 held on May 3, 2012, article LXXXI.
POR TANTO:
The appeal is granted. Nombre45944, mayor of Puntarenas, and Nombre35115, director of the Área Rectora de Salud (ARS) Puntarenas – Chacarita, or whoever occupies those positions, are ordered to: 1) coordinate what is necessary within the scope of their competencies so that the plan for the construction of a Wastewater Treatment Plant for the waste generated in the Municipal Market continues within the timeframe already indicated, that is, for its completion by November 15, 2025; 2) IMMEDIATELY take the measures that are necessary to prevent the Estero de Puntarenas from continuing to be contaminated as a result of the wastewater generated in the Municipal Market. The respondent authorities are warned that, in accordance with the provisions of article 71 of the Ley de la Jurisdicción Constitucional, imprisonment of three months to two years or a fine of twenty to sixty days shall be imposed on anyone who receives an order that they must comply with or enforce, issued within an amparo appeal, and does not comply with it or enforce it, provided that the offense is not more severely punished. The State and the Municipalidad de Puntarenas are ordered to pay the costs, damages, and losses caused by the acts that serve as the basis for this declaration, which shall be liquidated in the execution of the sentence of the administrative contentious jurisdiction. Notify.
Fernando Castillo V.
President Fernando Cruz C.
Paul Rueda L.
Luis Fdo. Salazar A.
Jorge Araya G.
Anamari Garro V.
Ingrid Hess H.
Clasificación elaborada por SALA CONSTITUCIONALdel Poder Judicial. Prohibida su reproducción y/o distribución en forma onerosa.
Sentencia con nota separada Indicadores de Relevancia Sentencia relevante 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: MUNICIPALIDAD Subtemas:
ALCANTARILLADO. INFRAESTRUCTURA Y CONDICIONES.
Tema: PODER EJECUTIVO Subtemas:
ORDEN SANITARIA..
005315-25. MUNICIPALIDAD. PODER EJECUTIVO. SE ORDENA A LA MUNICIPALIDAD DE PUNTARENAS Y, AL ÁREA RECTORA DE SALUD (ARS) PUNTARENAS – CHACARITA, QUE: 1) COORDINEN LO NECESARIO DENTRO DEL ÁMBITO DE SUS COMPETENCIAS A EFECTOS DE QUE SE CONTINÚE CON EL PLAN DE LA CONSTRUCCIÓN DE UNA PLANTA DE TRATAMIENTO DE AGUAS RESIDUALES GENERADAS EN EL MERCADO MUNICIPAL DENTRO DEL PLAZO YA SEÑALADO, SEA PARA SU FINALIZACIÓN EL 15 NOVIEMBRE DE 2025; 2) QUE DE MANERA INMEDIANTA SE TOMEN LAS MEDIDAS QUE SEAN NECESARIAS A FIN DE EVITAR QUE SE SIGA CONTAMINANDO EL ESTERO DE PUNTARENAS PRODUCTO DE LA AGUAS RESIDUALES GENERADAS EN EL MERCADO MUNICIPAL. VCG03/2025 “(…) III.-SOBRE LA MUNICIPALIDAD DE PUNTARENAS. En el sub lite, el recurrente acude en amparo y alega que el Área Rectora de Salud Puntarenas-Chacarita del Ministerio de Salud, interpuso ante la Fiscalía Adjunta de Puntarenas, una denuncia por desobediencia a la autoridad contra el alcalde de Puntarenas, por el incumplimiento de distintas órdenes sanitarias.
Indica que la razón de esa denuncia era la contaminación del Estero de Puntarenas con aguas negras y otros desechos, provenientes del Mercado Municipal. Reclama que a pesar de que existen distintas órdenes sanitarias, las autoridades municipales y de salud siguen permitiendo y perpetuando la contaminación y el daño ambiental denunciado. Agrega que las autoridades recurridas acordaron y aceptaron un plan remedial; sin embargo, no se toman las acciones correspondientes para detener el daño reiterado al ambiente.
Al respecto, informa el alcalde que esa municipalidad está trabajando en el tema de la planta de tratamiento de aguas residuales del mercado de Puntarenas, bajo un cronograma autorizado por el Ministerio de Salud. Además, que se encuentra pendiente de ejecutar, a través de la plataforma APC, el trámite respectivo de construcción de un sistema de tratamiento de aguas residuales. Señala que la fecha de finalización propuesta es el 15 noviembre 2025. Por lo anterior, este Tribunal solicitó a la autoridad accionada informar si esa municipalidad cuenta con un plan remedial a fin de evitar de que se siga contaminando el Estero, mientras se construye la planta de tratamiento que se indica. De lo anterior se informó que como plan remedial se propuso conectar las aguas al sistema administrado por el AYA que opera en Puntarenas centro.
Así, después de analizar los informes rendidos bajo juramento por parte de las autoridades accionadas y de la prueba que consta en el expediente, esta Sala acredita la vulneración acusada. Lo anterior porque ha quedado acreditado que desde el 18 de setiembre del 2019 el Área Rectora de Salud Puntarenas-Chacarita del Ministerio de Salud, notificó el alcalde de la municipalidad accionada de la orden sanitaria N° OS-0013-REG-2019, donde se da un plazo de 10 meses para realizar el trámite respectivo de construcción de un sistema de tratamiento de aguas residuales, a fin de evitar la contaminación del Estero de Puntarenas; sin embargo, más de cinco años después la problemática continúa y, si bien el recurrido reconoce el problema e indica que se han realizado acciones a fin de cumplir lo ordenado, lo cierto es que no ha sido suficiente, pues informa la representante del área rectora de salud que en inspección realizada al mercado central el 20 de diciembre del 2024 se determinó que la municipalidad accionada no ha cumplido con la orden sanitaria que fue emitida por esa área de salud, respecto a la problemática del tratamiento de aguas negras que afectan el Estero de Puntarenas.
Por lo anterior, el 6 de enero de 2025 se elevó el caso ante las autoridades superiores de ese ministerio, donde se recomienda que lo prudente es proceder con la clausura del Mercado Central de Puntarenas, ya que no se ha evidenciado acciones que reflejen contar con un sistema de tratamiento de aguas residuales, tampoco ha demostrado contar con un plan alterno que permita administrar los riesgos a la salud pública ocasionados por el inadecuado funcionamiento de dicho mercado.
IV.Por otra parte, con respecto al Ministerio de Salud, si bien, de los informes rendidos y de la prueba que consta en autos, se acredita que la autoridad accionada del Área Rectora de Salud Puntarenas-Chacarita del Ministerio de Salud ha realizado gestiones a fin de que la municipalidad accionada cumpla con la orden de esa área, tal como se aprecia en los hechos probados de esta sentencia y que, ante el incumplimiento de la orden sanitaria N° OS-0013-REG-2019 el 17 de marzo de 2020 presentó denuncia judicial por desobediencia a la autoridad en salud ante la Fiscalía Adjunta de Puntarenas; sin embargo, para esta Sala ellas han sido insuficientes para solucionar efectivamente la grave afectación ambiental detectada, por lo que deberá continuar supervisando la corrección del problema, así como ordenar las medidas provisionales pertinentes para su solución.
En consecuencia, lo que corresponde es declarar con lugar el recurso en contra de la Municipalidad de Puntarenas y del Área Rectora de Salud Puntarenas-Chacarita del Ministerio de Salud, por la afectación al artículo 50 constitucional. (…)” ... Ver más Contenido de Interés:
Tipo de contenido: Nota separada Rama del Derecho: 1. CONSTITUCIÓN POLÍTICA CON JURISPRUDENCIA Tema: 050- Ambiente Subtemas:
NO APLICA.
En asuntos ambientales, es criterio del suscrito, que, si ya ha habido intervención de la Administración Pública, su conocimiento y resolución corresponde a la jurisdicción contenciosa administrativa. No obstante, sí entro a conocer el fondo del asunto cuando están de por medio otros derechos de las personas afectadas por el foco de contaminación, entre ellos, la salud, la calidad de vida y el derecho a gozar de un ambiente sano y libre de contaminación (artículo 50, de la Constitución Política), tal y como sucede en este caso, en el que se reclama la contaminación y afectaciones del estero de Puntarenas con aguas negras y otros desechos, provenientes del Mercado Municipal. La parte recurrente señala que aun cuando existen distintas órdenes sanitarias, las autoridades municipales y de salud, siguen permitiendo y perpetuando la contaminación y el daño ambiental denunciado, lo que produce una afectación a la salud y a la vida del promovente y los vecinos de esa localidad, e implica un riesgo para la salud pública. Lo anterior, con violación del derecho a disfrutar de un ambiente sano y ecológicamente equilibrado y de un nivel digno de calidad de vida.
VCG03/2025 ... Ver más SALA CONSTITUCIONAL DE LA CORTE SUPREMA DE JUSTICIA. San José, a las nueve horas veinte minutos del veintiuno de febrero de dos mil veinticinco .
Recurso de amparo que se tramita en expediente número No. 24-031922-0007-CO, interpuesto por Nombre48740, cédula de identidad CED16106, contra el MINISTERIO DE SALUD Y LA MUNICIPALIDAD DE PUNTARENAS.
RESULTANDO:
En los procedimientos seguidos se ha observado las prescripciones legales.
Redacta la Magistrada Hess Herrera; y,
CONSIDERANDO:
El recurrente alega que el 17 de marzo de 2020, mediante oficio MSDRRSPC-0134-2020, la directora del Área Rectora de Salud Puntarenas-Chacarita del Ministerio de Salud, interpuso ante la Fiscalía Adjunta de Puntarenas, una denuncia por desobediencia a la autoridad contra el alcalde de Puntarenas, por el incumplimiento de distintas órdenes sanitarias. Indica que la razón de esa denuncia era la contaminación del estero de Puntarenas con aguas negras y otros desechos, provenientes del Mercado Municipal. Reclama que, a pesar de que existen distintas órdenes sanitarias, las autoridades municipales y de salud, siguen permitiendo y perpetuando la contaminación y el daño ambiental denunciado. Agrega que las autoridades recurridas acordaron y aceptaron un plan remedial; sin embargo, no se toman las acciones correspondientes para detener el daño reiterado al ambiente. Solicita la intervención de la Sala.
De importancia para la decisión de este asunto, se estiman como debidamente demostrados los siguientes hechos:
Sobre el Área Rectora de Salud Puntarenas-Chacarita del Ministerio de Salud:
1. El 18 de setiembre del 2019, se le notificó al alcalde de Puntarenas de manera física, en lo que interesa a este amparo, orden sanitaria N° OS-0013-REG-2019, donde se establece que se da un plazo de 10 MESES para: “Realizar a través de la plataforma APC, el trámite respectivo de construcción de un sistema de tratamiento de aguas residuales. Hacia tal sistema deben conducirse los lixiviados generados en el área de almacenamiento temporal de residuos”. (informe rendido y prueba aportada); 2. El 17 de marzo de 2020, el área de salud accionada, presentó denuncia judicial por desobediencia a la autoridad en salud ante la Fiscalía Adjunta de Puntarenas, contra la Municipalidad de Puntarenas. (informe rendido); 3. El 16 de octubre del 2023 se recibe oficio MS-DGS-3306-2023, suscrito por la directora General de Salud, en el cual se instruye al director de la Dirección Regional de Rectoría de la Salud Pacífico Central, lo siguiente: “que considerando que la Municipalidad de Puntarenas ha incumplido lo solicitado en las ordenes sanitarias 0011-REG-2019, 0012-REG-2019 y 0013-REG-2019, lo procedente es realizar la clausura del establecimiento “Dirección1949” de manera inmediata, con el fin de preservar la salud de la población y de conformidad con lo establecido en el marco normativo vigente”.
(informe rendido y prueba aportada); 4. El 20 de octubre del 2023 se notificó el oficio MS-DRRSPC-DARSPC-0476- 2023 al Sr. Nombre56632, alcalde municipal, al correo electrónico: ..., donde se le puso en conocimiento sobre la clausura del mercado municipal, y se concede un tiempo prudencial hasta el 27 de octubre del 2023 para que los administradores de puestos del Mercado Municipal retiren productos perecederos y similares, antes de proceder con la notificación del acta de clausura correspondiente. (informe rendido y prueba aportada); 5. El 26 de octubre del 2023 se recibe vía correo electrónico institucional mediante oficio MP-AM-OF-8952-10-2023 cuatro archivos que contienen planes remediales en respuesta a los aspectos pendientes de subsanar, solicitados en ordenes sanitarias, en lo que interesa de la orden OS-0013-REG-2019, se indica como plan: “Eliminar las prácticas de depositar lodos sépticos al estero, mediante el cual se notificara a los inquilinos prohibiendo tales prácticas”.
(informe rendido y prueba aportada); 6. Que entre las principales anomalías pendientes de corregir dentro de las ordenes sanitarias notificadas, en lo que respecta a este recurso se encuentra: la construcción de una Planta de Tratamiento de Aguas Residuales generadas en el Mercado Municipal, lo cual impediría el vertido de aguas residuales crudas de forma directa al estero en este sector de Puntarenas. El Ministerio de Salud brindó visto bueno de ubicación a la Planta de Tratamiento de Aguas Residuales desde el 20 de junio del 2024. (informe rendido y prueba aportada); 7. Informe rendido de la prueba para mejor resolver que fue solicitado: El 20 de diciembre del 2024 se realizó la inspección al Mercado Central y se determinó que la municipalidad accionada no ha cumplido la orden impartida por el área de salud, respecto a la problemática del tratamiento de aguas negras que afectan el Estero de Puntarenas.
Por lo que el 6 de enero de 2025 se elevó el caso a las autoridades superiores de ese Ministerio, donde se recomienda que lo prudente es proceder con la clausura del Mercado de la Municipalidad de Puntarenas, ya que no se ha evidenciado acciones que reflejen contar con un sistema de tratamiento de aguas residuales, tampoco ha demostrado contar con un plan alterno que permita administrar los riesgos a la salud pública ocasionados por el inadecuado funcionamiento del Mercado de la Municipalidad de Puntarenas. (informe rendido y prueba aportada).
Sobre la Municipalidad de Puntarenas:
8. Que según investigación realizada por el Ing. Nombre47871, director de Desarrollo Territorial y Urbano de la Municipalidad de Puntarenas, mediante Oficio MP-DDTU-OF-390-11-2024 de fecha 21 noviembre 2024 se indica lo siguiente: “La Municipalidad de Puntarenas trabaja en el tema de la planta de tratamiento de aguas residuales del mercado de Puntarenas bajo un cronograma autorizado por el Ministerio de Salud, el cual cada trimestre es revisado y ajustado a la realidad de los trámites burocráticos que de ello se deriva. Que se encuentra pendiente de ejecutar a través de la plataforma APC, el trámite respectivo de construcción de un sistema de tratamiento de aguas residuales. Que la fecha de finalización propuesto por la Municipalidad de Puntarenas es para el 15 noviembre 2025”. (informe rendido).
9. Informe rendido de la prueba para mejor resolver que fue solicitado: Que según oficio N° MP-DDTU-OF-002-01-2025 de fecha 08 enero 2025, se indica: “Como Plan remedial mientras se da el trámite para la construcción de la planta de tratamiento en el mercado, se propuso conectar las aguas al sistema administrado por el AYA que opera en Puntarenas centro. Se entiende que el plan remedial es mientras se realiza la construcción de las Planta de tratamiento del Mercado”. (informe rendido);
En el sub lite, el recurrente acude en amparo y alega que el Área Rectora de Salud Puntarenas-Chacarita del Ministerio de Salud, interpuso ante la Fiscalía Adjunta de Puntarenas, una denuncia por desobediencia a la autoridad contra el alcalde de Puntarenas, por el incumplimiento de distintas órdenes sanitarias. Indica que la razón de esa denuncia era la contaminación del Estero de Puntarenas con aguas negras y otros desechos, provenientes del Mercado Municipal. Reclama que a pesar de que existen distintas órdenes sanitarias, las autoridades municipales y de salud siguen permitiendo y perpetuando la contaminación y el daño ambiental denunciado. Agrega que las autoridades recurridas acordaron y aceptaron un plan remedial; sin embargo, no se toman las acciones correspondientes para detener el daño reiterado al ambiente.
Al respecto, informa el alcalde que esa municipalidad está trabajando en el tema de la planta de tratamiento de aguas residuales del mercado de Puntarenas, bajo un cronograma autorizado por el Ministerio de Salud. Además, que se encuentra pendiente de ejecutar, a través de la plataforma APC, el trámite respectivo de construcción de un sistema de tratamiento de aguas residuales. Señala que la fecha de finalización propuesta es el 15 noviembre 2025. Por lo anterior, este Tribunal solicitó a la autoridad accionada informar si esa municipalidad cuenta con un plan remedial a fin de evitar de que se siga contaminando el Estero, mientras se construye la planta de tratamiento que se indica. De lo anterior se informó que como plan remedial se propuso conectar las aguas al sistema administrado por el AYA que opera en Puntarenas centro.
Así, después de analizar los informes rendidos bajo juramento por parte de las autoridades accionadas y de la prueba que consta en el expediente, esta Sala acredita la vulneración acusada. Lo anterior porque ha quedado acreditado que desde el 18 de setiembre del 2019 el Área Rectora de Salud Puntarenas-Chacarita del Ministerio de Salud, notificó el alcalde de la municipalidad accionada de la orden sanitaria N° OS-0013-REG-2019, donde se da un plazo de 10 meses para realizar el trámite respectivo de construcción de un sistema de tratamiento de aguas residuales, a fin de evitar la contaminación del Estero de Puntarenas; sin embargo, más de cinco años después la problemática continúa y, si bien el recurrido reconoce el problema e indica que se han realizado acciones a fin de cumplir lo ordenado, lo cierto es que no ha sido suficiente, pues informa la representante del área rectora de salud que en inspección realizada al mercado central el 20 de diciembre del 2024 se determinó que la municipalidad accionada no ha cumplido con la orden sanitaria que fue emitida por esa área de salud, respecto a la problemática del tratamiento de aguas negras que afectan el Estero de Puntarenas.
Por lo anterior, el 6 de enero de 2025 se elevó el caso ante las autoridades superiores de ese ministerio, donde se recomienda que lo prudente es proceder con la clausura del Mercado Central de Puntarenas, ya que no se ha evidenciado acciones que reflejen contar con un sistema de tratamiento de aguas residuales, tampoco ha demostrado contar con un plan alterno que permita administrar los riesgos a la salud pública ocasionados por el inadecuado funcionamiento de dicho mercado.
IV.Por otra parte, con respecto al Ministerio de Salud, si bien, de los informes rendidos y de la prueba que consta en autos, se acredita que la autoridad accionada del Área Rectora de Salud Puntarenas-Chacarita del Ministerio de Salud ha realizado gestiones a fin de que la municipalidad accionada cumpla con la orden de esa área, tal como se aprecia en los hechos probados de esta sentencia y que, ante el incumplimiento de la orden sanitaria N° OS-0013-REG-2019 el 17 de marzo de 2020 presentó denuncia judicial por desobediencia a la autoridad en salud ante la Fiscalía Adjunta de Puntarenas; sin embargo, para esta Sala ellas han sido insuficientes para solucionar efectivamente la grave afectación ambiental detectada, por lo que deberá continuar supervisando la corrección del problema, así como ordenar las medidas provisionales pertinentes para su solución.
En consecuencia, lo que corresponde es declarar con lugar el recurso en contra de la Municipalidad de Puntarenas y del Área Rectora de Salud Puntarenas-Chacarita del Ministerio de Salud, por la afectación al artículo 50 constitucional.
En asuntos ambientales, es criterio del suscrito, que, si ya ha habido intervención de la Administración Pública, su conocimiento y resolución corresponde a la jurisdicción contenciosa administrativa. No obstante, sí entro a conocer el fondo del asunto cuando están de por medio otros derechos de las personas afectadas por el foco de contaminación, entre ellos, la salud, la calidad de vida y el derecho a gozar de un ambiente sano y libre de contaminación (artículo 50, de la Constitución Política), tal y como sucede en este caso, en el que se reclama la contaminación y afectaciones del estero de Puntarenas con aguas negras y otros desechos, provenientes del Mercado Municipal. La parte recurrente señala que aun cuando existen distintas órdenes sanitarias, las autoridades municipales y de salud, siguen permitiendo y perpetuando la contaminación y el daño ambiental denunciado, lo que produce una afectación a la salud y a la vida del promovente y los vecinos de esa localidad, e implica un riesgo para la salud pública. Lo anterior, con violación del derecho a disfrutar de un ambiente sano y ecológicamente equilibrado y de un nivel digno de calidad de vida.
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 N° 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 N° 4l3-12 celebrada el 3 de mayo del 2012, artículo LXXXI.
POR TANTO:
Se declara con lugar el recurso. Se ordena a Nombre45944, alcalde de Puntarenas y a Nombre35115, directora del Área Rectora de Salud (ARS) Puntarenas – Chacarita, o a quienes ocupen esos cargos que: 1) coordinen lo necesario dentro del ámbito de sus competencias a efectos de que se continúe con el plan de la construcción de una Planta de Tratamiento de Aguas Residuales generadas en el Mercado Municipal dentro del plazo ya señalado, sea para su finalización el 15 noviembre de 2025; 2) que de manera INMEDIANTA se tomen las medidas que sean necesarias a fin de evitar que se siga contaminando el Estero de Puntarenas producto de la aguas residuales generadas en el Mercado Municipal. Se advierte a las autoridades recurridas que, de conformidad con lo establecido por 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 dentro de un recurso de amparo y no la cumpliere o no la hiciere cumplir, siempre que el delito no esté más gravemente penado. Se condena al Estado y a la Municipalidad de Puntarenas al pago de las costas, daños y perjuicios ocasionados con los hechos que sirven de base a esta declaratoria, los que se liquidarán en ejecución de sentencia de lo contencioso administrativo. Notifíquese.
Fernando Castillo V.
Fernando Cruz C.
Paul Rueda L.
Luis Fdo. Salazar A.
Jorge Araya G.
Anamari Garro V.
Ingrid Hess H.
Clasificación elaborada por SALA CONSTITUCIONALdel Poder Judicial. Prohibida su reproducción y/o distribución en forma onerosa.
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