Eight Beaches Lose Blue
Flag Certification
A total of eight beaches
have lost their Bandera
Azul Ecológica (BAE) -
blue flag ecological -
certification due to
contamination of its
waters.
The beaches are Arenilla,
Ocotal, Pelada de Nosara,
Tamarindo, Agujas,
Dominical an Negra (in
Puerto Viejo de Limón).
The beaches lost their
certification due to
high levels of fecal
matter found in the
water samples. Tamarindo
received the lowest
rating and is the second
time it has lost the
certification, according
to the director of the
BAE program, Darner Mora
Alvarado. Tamarindo lost
the BAE in 2004.
Playa Manzanillo, close
to the hotel Allegro
Papagayo in Guanacaste
also lost its BAE
certification because of
the contamination by the
hotel which was closed
down by health officials
and allowed to re-open
to a maximum 50%
occupancy as the hotel
group continues to work
on improvements to its
waste disposal.
Of the eight beaches
losing their BAE
certification, Tamarindo
was the worst, losing
all its points in the
manner it handles
residual water,
environment education
programs and security
and administration.
Tamarindo also failed in
its quality of sea
water, where it obtained
only 17 of the possible
35 points.
Notwithstanding, 59
beaches were awarded the
Blue Flag.
The announcement was
made in Puntarenas by
government officials, in
which Costa Rica
president, Oscar Arias,
was present.
The BAE certification
can also be earned by
non-beach communities,
educational centres and
natural open areas that
have programs to protect
the environment and
health.
The Programa Bandera
Azul Ecológica has
been in place since 1996
and is an incentive for
communities to organize
and care for their
surrounding environment.
For tourists, visiting a
BAE certified beach is
guarantee of clean sea
water and additional
services like public
bathrooms and change
rooms and showers.
The Bandera Azul
Ecológica (BAE) is
administered by the
Instituto Costarricense
de Acueductos y
Alcantarillados (AyA) -
water and sewer utility
- that regularly
evaluates the quality of
beach water with sample
tests at its Laboratio
Central.
The qualifications are
broken down into four
categories:
A - satisfactory quality
of sea water, access to
drinking water,
treatment of residual
waters and evironment
educational programs
AA - in addition, the
beaches offer security
and warnings of under
currents
AAA - in addition,
include camping
facilities, access for
the disabled, first aid,
tourist information
centres and bathrooms
and showers
AAAA - in addition, the
beach has a recycling
program, security and
first aid all year round
and an permanent
emergency commission
Of the 59 beaches
awarded the Blue Flag,
only playa Blanca (Punta
Leona) is awarded the
AAAA, Manuel Antonio and
Espadilla Sur the AAA
and playa Beuna in
Guanacaste the AA.
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