In Costa Rica, water is public property. Whether you plan to build a home, develop a lot, run a farm, or buy a property that depends on a well or a spring, you generally need legal authorization to use that water. That authorization is called a water concession (concesión de aguas), and it is granted by the Water Directorate (Dirección de Aguas) of MINAE.
Who needs a water concession?
- Owners who use water from a river, stream, spring or well on their property
- Buyers of land or homes that rely on a private water source
- Developers planning houses, villas, farms or small projects that need a reliable water supply
Many foreign buyers only discover this after closing, when the property turns out to have no legal water source. Checking early is far cheaper than fixing it later.
How the process works
- Consultation and site review. We look at your property, your water source and your plans.
- Water availability and hydrological studies. We measure and document how much water is actually available.
- Well permit and pumping test. If your source is a well, we handle the permit and test its real production.
- Environmental viability (SETENA). When your project requires it, we prepare and follow the environmental viability study.
- Concession application and follow-up. We submit the file to MINAE and follow it until it is resolved.
How long does it take?
Our technical studies take about 2 weeks each. The final concession usually takes between 8 months and 1 year, because it depends on the authorities’ review. We tell you the realistic timeline for your case before you commit to anything.
Our services
- Water Availability Studies
- Hydrological Studies
- Well Permits & Pumping Tests
- Well Drilling & Water Concessions
- Environmental Viability Studies (SETENA)
- Water Due Diligence for Property Purchases
See details on our Services page.
Who will work on your case
Your technical contact is Ingeniero Jordan Godinez Benavides, an agricultural engineer with a Master’s degree in Water Engineering and Urban Resource Management and about 10 years of experience. He spent 5 of those years in the MINAE Water Directorate (Dirección de Aguas), approving water concessions for wells, springs, rivers and streams across the country, so he knows how the authorities review each case. He is a SETENA consultant (094-2021) and a registered professional (IAG-32584).
Frequently asked questions
I already have a well. Do I still need a concession?
It depends on the type of well. A drilled well (pozo perforado) always requires a water concession. A hand-dug well (pozo artesanal) only needs a concession if the water will be used for anything other than domestic use in a home — for example irrigation, farming or commercial use. If the hand-dug well is strictly for domestic use in a house, you do not need a concession, but it must still be dug following the legal requirements.
Can you help before I buy a property?
Yes. Our water due diligence review tells you, in about 1 to 2 weeks, what the property’s water situation really is before you sign.
Do you work outside Pérez Zeledón?
Yes. We are based in Pérez Zeledón and serve all of Costa Rica.
Talk to us about your property
Send us the location and a short description of your project by WhatsApp or email at jordanje.g.b@gmail.com, and we will tell you what you need.
This page is general information, not legal advice. Every property is different, so we review your specific case before recommending next steps.