Costa Rica's congress approves new water bill after first debate

A majority in Costa Rica's lower house has approved the so-called comprehensive water resources management bill after a first debate, an official press release said.

The bill was submitted by national water utility AyA in December to regulate the sustainable use of all available national water resources.

If approved in a second debate – for which a date has yet to be set – the bill would then also have to be approved by the president to become law and replace the existing water legislation.

The regulation considers climate change mitigation measures and proposes the creation of a public water sector encompassing the government, municipalities and public sector companies, among others, which would direct the planning and carrying out of actions involving water resources.

The bill also calls for the creation of a national water directorate under the authority of the environment and energy ministry.

"The text establishes the unalienable principles and basic contents for the public, sustainable, and coordinated management of water in our country, which are completely necessary to fill out the voids in the former law," the country's environmental minister Edgar Gutiérrez said.