Project Status: Development
Monte Azul is located in Costa Rica and is at the helm of a revolutionary project to provide the community at Chimirol in Rivas district with potable water and access to sanitation through the installation of biojardineras (artificial wetlands contained in stone or underground planters) and composting toilets.
Background
Rivas is a district approximately 307.85 km ² in size, with a population of 6,531. It is located about 10 miles from downtown “San Isidro de El General”, on the road to Chirripó National Park. The main economic activities in Riva are agriculture-based with coffee farming and cattle ranching being the major income earners. In recent years, the tourism industry has also developed in the region. Its main towns are Rivas (which is the seat of the district), Tirrá, San Gerardo, Herradura, Canaan, Guadalupe, Pueblo Nuevo, Buena Vista, La Piedra, Palmital and Chimirol (where the proposed project will be implemented).
There exists a huge waste management issue from both private homes and businesses in the community of Chimirol. As a result of this poor waste management, the numerous rivers and aquifers at Chimirol are fast becoming polluted and unfit for human use. This is in turn impacting greatly on the health and access to sanitation of the Chimirol community. The situation has continued to deteriorate over time so much so the last existing biojardinera in the area is on Monte Azul’s property.
Plan of action
Monte Azul intends to install ten biojardinera and five composting toilets, on ten locations in the community of Chimirol to provide it with access to sanitation and potable water as well as manure for its farming activities. In addition, Monte Azul will hold community training sessions to raise awareness on the importance of proper waste disposal for a healthy life.
These ten locations will also act as treatment sites for wastewater thus benefiting both the people and natural environment at Chimirol.
For more information please contact: info@MonteAzul.cr
