Move Would Ensure Ojo de Agua To Remain Public
The bathing spa known as the Balneario de Ojo de Agua, which is one of the "classics" in the history of Costa Rica will go into the hands of the Acueductos y Alcantarillados (A Y A).

The natural spring that became a favourite family place that includes several public swimming pools and family recreation located in Belén, will be donated to the AyA, if legislators approve a law that has been proposed by the PLN member, Maureen Ballestero.

The legislator feels it is correct that the Ojo de Agua be in the hands of the AyA - the water and sewer people - rather than in the hands of tthe Instituto Costarricense de Puertos del Pacífico (Incoop), the Pacific Port institution.

The Ojo de Agua in addition to providing a family recreational centre also provides potable water to areas on the west Pacific coast from its natural spring.

The move to pass the spa to the AyA would ensure that the natural spring would stay in public hands, as it should be, said the legislator and eliminate plans to privatize it, as proposed by the Incoop on several occasions.

The move has the support of the AyA president, Ricardo Sancho, who has made his position known in writing to the Legislative Assembly. Sancho considers that the popular water hole comes under the Ley Orgánica del Ambiente, which affirms water being part of public nature.