Case Studies
How Costa Rica is Revitalizing Rivers with Community-Led EM Activities
Costa Rica
Overview
The National Alliance of Rivers and Watersheds of Costa Rica has pioneered impactful environmental initiatives through its Citizen Water Observatories (OCAs). These observatories are community-led groups dedicated to preserving and restoring Costa Rica's water resources using EM Technology. Our partner, BIONOVATION, is collaborating with them to expand water purification activities throughout Costa Rica. This report highlights the achievements made during 2024.
Problems
- Untreated wastewater causing severe pollution.
- Toxic chemical runoff from agriculture (Chlorothalonil) has been detected in spring waters, threatening ecosystems and human health.
- Decomposition of organic waste, which produces foul odors and negatively impacts water quality and aquatic life by discharging untreated sewage directly into the river.
- Toxic chemical runoff from agriculture (Chlorothalonil) has been detected in spring waters, threatening ecosystems and human health.
- Decomposition of organic waste, which produces foul odors and negatively impacts water quality and aquatic life by discharging untreated sewage directly into the river.
EM Application and Education
- EM Mudball Festivals: Several OCAs hosted community events where thousands of EM Mudballs were made and pumped into rivers to reduce pollution, improve water quality, and revitalize aquatic ecosystems around rivers across the country. Notable successes include events on the Río Bebedero, Río San Pedro, and Río Agua Caliente, each with significant community participation.
- Environmental Education: Workshops on biodiversity, macroinvertebrate monitoring, and river health assessments have been conducted to promote environmental awareness among children and adults.
- Reforestation Campaigns: Collaborations with local schools, municipalities, and private organizations resulted in the planting of thousands of native trees, helping to stabilize riverbanks and restore habitat.
- Environmental Education: Workshops on biodiversity, macroinvertebrate monitoring, and river health assessments have been conducted to promote environmental awareness among children and adults.
- Reforestation Campaigns: Collaborations with local schools, municipalities, and private organizations resulted in the planting of thousands of native trees, helping to stabilize riverbanks and restore habitat.
Effects and Results
Water Quality and Aquatic Life Impact:
- To analyze the relationship between river biodiversity and pollution, biologists work along with children to collect river organisms and assess pollution levels during EM Mudball workshops. In addition, studies are being conducted on the distribution of bird species in relation to river pollution.
- Since sewage and household wastewater are still being dumped directly into the rivers, the EM team proactively conducts workshops to promote environmental education and raise awareness about reducing pollution at its source.
- EM Mudballs are gaining widespread acceptance as an effective bioremediation technology being adopted by the public and private sectors in Costa Rica.
- Click on the image below to see preliminary results for the Zapote River in 2022.
Zapote River Table Remarks
Bacteriological parameters, dissolved solids, nitrites, nitrates, sulfates and others may vary due to the specific conditions of the discharges received by the river at the time of sampling, as it is known that the river receives discharges from upstream. Beyond the results presented above, further monitoring and additional analysis is required as this project is ongoing.
- To analyze the relationship between river biodiversity and pollution, biologists work along with children to collect river organisms and assess pollution levels during EM Mudball workshops. In addition, studies are being conducted on the distribution of bird species in relation to river pollution.
- Since sewage and household wastewater are still being dumped directly into the rivers, the EM team proactively conducts workshops to promote environmental education and raise awareness about reducing pollution at its source.
- EM Mudballs are gaining widespread acceptance as an effective bioremediation technology being adopted by the public and private sectors in Costa Rica.
- Click on the image below to see preliminary results for the Zapote River in 2022.
Zapote River Table Remarks
Bacteriological parameters, dissolved solids, nitrites, nitrates, sulfates and others may vary due to the specific conditions of the discharges received by the river at the time of sampling, as it is known that the river receives discharges from upstream. Beyond the results presented above, further monitoring and additional analysis is required as this project is ongoing.
Social Impact:
- Over 124 OCAs actively participated in initiatives across the country, including workshops, festivals, and educational campaigns totaling 1,600 participants who produced 22,000 EM Mudballs that were placed in 35 rivers throughout Costa Rica in 2024. This was a milestone in the history of water conservation in Costa Rica.
- These initiatives have strengthened community bonds, encouraged environmental stewardship, and empowered citizens to take an active role in water conservation. Events such as World Water Day celebrations, environmental festivals, and cleanup campaigns have cemented the Alliance's role as a model for sustainable water management.
- Notable partnerships with renowned companies such as Holcim Costa Rica and local schools amplified the success of these projects.
- Over 124 OCAs actively participated in initiatives across the country, including workshops, festivals, and educational campaigns totaling 1,600 participants who produced 22,000 EM Mudballs that were placed in 35 rivers throughout Costa Rica in 2024. This was a milestone in the history of water conservation in Costa Rica.
- These initiatives have strengthened community bonds, encouraged environmental stewardship, and empowered citizens to take an active role in water conservation. Events such as World Water Day celebrations, environmental festivals, and cleanup campaigns have cemented the Alliance's role as a model for sustainable water management.
- Notable partnerships with renowned companies such as Holcim Costa Rica and local schools amplified the success of these projects.
Events Video Reference
*Spanish only.
*Spanish only.
For further information, please contact:
BIONOVATION
600m al norte y 50m al sur del colegio de Ingenieros Agrónomos, San Vicente, Moravia, Costa Rica
+(506)83259136
bionovationsa@gmail.com(January, 2025)
