Individuals and companies that wish to build a house or are involved in the development of real estate projects of any kind, residential, commercial, tourist places, etc. may have to invest in an additional requirement, a hydrogeological study that has a cost of between US$5,000.00 and up to US$100,000.00.

The new requirement (Matriz Genérica de Protección de Acuiferos or Generic Matrix for the Protection of Aquifers), is a more exhaustive study than the one previously in place, and it is the result of an agreement by the Board of Directors of the National Groundwater Irrigation and Drainage Services (Senara in Spanish) with the objective of protecting the water sources.

However, not everyone will have to comply with this requirement, the corresponding Municipality will inform those interested in starting a construction project whether they are required to carry out hydrogeological studies, the municipality will determine this based on the land use and the type of construction planned. Some municipalities already have their own vulnerability map in place, in which case this requirement is not necessary.

The cost of fulfilling this requirement when needed will depend on the size of the project, starting at $5,000.00 for a single family home, to $10,000.00 to $15,000.00 for a small or medium size condominium project, and as much as $40,000.00 for larger residential, commercial or industrial projects. Megaprojects could have a cost of up to $100,000.00

The Union of Costa Rican Chambers and Associations of the Private Corporate Sector is concerned not just because of the high cost of this new requirement but also because they consider it interferes in matters that should be the concern of Municipalities.