Objectives and Methods

In this instance, the dialogue on water and climate seeks answers to two questions: (1) what are the impacts on the sources, distribution, availability, and conservation of water caused by the extremes of climate variability? and, (2) what are the “best” coping practices used by households, communities and institutions to confront these impacts? Political and governmental responses are not of primary interest to the IS/DWC. However, for the purposes of PROCUENCA-SAN JUAN and the governments of Costa Rica and Nicaragua, they are. Thus, the dialogue should also provide proposals for the PROCUENCA-SAN JUAN Strategic Action Program as well as recommendations for the two governments on new policy initiatives regarding climate variability.

The methods used in the investigation considered these objectives, the geographical areas of priority in the basin, and the stakeholders to be interviewed. Based on a previous characterization of the basin in terms of social-economic condition, climate, and threats from climate variability,² the work area was defined to include those cantons and municipalities most threatened by extreme climate variability including flooding (Map 2, Map 3), hurricanes (Map 4), and drought (Map 5).

Data and other information from the National Emergency Commission (CNE) of the Meteorological Institute (IMN) of Costa Rica, and the Nicaraguan Institute of Territorial Studies (INETER), which  relate to threats from climate variability were used in this characterization. Information from these units covers nearly 100 years and includes nearly 25 years of data on ENSO, the El Niño Southern Oscillation. The influence of ENSO on precipitation and drought is a major item of discussion concerning climate variability although it should be noted that periods of drought occur without the presence of El Niño, as was the case in 2001. Flooding, one of the most frequent causes of disasters in the basin happens almost annually in the lower-lying areas. Despite this, it is common to find crops, human settlements of several different social classes, and other construction in flood prone areas. Flooding, likewise, does not always depend on an ENSO episode and can be caused by persistent rainfall over the same area, heavy rainfall even if for a short period, obstruction of its flow caused by landslides, or the breaching of a dam.

Hurricanes and tropical storms have passed directly over the basin (Map 6) and the influence of storms four to five hundred kilometers away can have a major influence in the basin. Despite this, only 4 of the 37 administrative units have a high level of hurricane risk relative to the rest of the units in the basin. Indeed, municipal offices in the basin seldom report damage caused directly by hurricanes although they do say that flooding from persistent rainfall, tropical depressions and runoff from deforested areas are problems for their communities. Like much of western Central America, however, many areas of the SJRB regularly suffer from drought and 31 of its 37 municipalities and cantons have a high level of drought risk (See Table 3, Report of the Bi-National Workshop).

This information, along with the most recent data on poverty levels, allowed the major stakeholders and the priority geographic areas to be identified and investigated. Accordingly, the sectors of interest were water supply, agriculture and livestock production, industry (including slaughterhouses, dairy processing plants and tourism), and communities and municipalities. Representatives of these sectors were interviewed in 16 municipalities in Nicaragua (the Northern Sector) and 7 cantons in Costa Rica (the Southern Sector) (Table 2). Appendix I gives sample questions. Because of their work in the SJRB, other institutions of importance to the investigation are ENACAL, which is the water and sewer company of Nicaragua, and SILAIS, the Nicaraguan system of local integrated health assistance. On the Costa Rican side, the institutions are AA (water and sewage) and, for health, EBAIS, a national organization that offers local integrated health services. National and local emergency as well as civil defense committees may also intervene

Table 2: Priority municipalities and cantons to be investigated in the SJRB.

Although different questionnaires were used in interviews depending on the sector, most questions sought answers to the type and reliability of the water source, protection of the water source during drought or flooding, person(s) or institution(s) responsible for its maintenance, and whether or not a water committee and emergency plan is in place. In addition, health institutions were queried about the kinds and incidence of waterborne diseases during drought and flooding, whilst government organizations were asked about water supply responsibilities and coordination during emergencies. By design, the questions sought definitions of the problems created by climate variability as well as to locate and define the coping responses of the communities and institutions of the basin to these problems.

2 - “Characterization of the Climate, Climate Variability and Socio-Economic Conditions in the San Juan River Basin (Costa Rica/Nicaragua)”. 24pp PROCUENCA-SAN JUAN. OAS/OSDE