CATIE Showcases Innovative Solutions at the Costa Rican Water Quality Symposium

• CATIE strengthens its commitment to researching innovative solutions to address current challenges in water quality in Costa Rica.

December 13, 2023. Within the framework of the Symposium on the "Situation of Water Quality in Costa Rica," CATIE (Tropical Agricultural Research and Higher Education Center) highlighted its active participation through a joint presentation by the Water Security and Soil Basins Unit (UCSHS) and the Advanced Center for Applied Research (CAIA).

The symposium, organized by the GUIAS Research Network (Comprehensive University Management in Water) of the University of Costa Rica, in collaboration with various entities such as the Water Directorate of the Ministry of Environment and Energy, the Radiological Protection and Environmental Health Directorate of the Ministry of Health, the Chemical and Microbiological Services Research Center (CEQIATEC) of the Technological Institute of Costa Rica, among others, took place from Tuesday, October 24, to Thursday, October 26, at the City of Research Auditorium at UCR.

During the event, there was evidence of a significant scientific foundation supported by research from various institutions, indicating the presence of traditional and emerging pollutants in the waters of Costa Rica, including pesticides, pharmaceuticals, microplastics, waste materials, and potentially pathogenic microorganisms.

CATIE's notable participation focused on the presentation titled "Potential Combined Benefits of Electromagnetic and Bioremediation Technologies for Wastewater Treatment in Costa Rica."

The presentation was part of discussions dedicated to seeking innovative solutions to address the water quality issue, extensively debated in the first two days of the symposium.

The audience, consisting of over 200 individuals, including academics, researchers, representatives of Rural Aqueduct and Sewer System Management Associations (ASADAS), students, and the general public, had the opportunity to delve into CATIE's proposal.

Laura Benegas, CATIE's representative, emphasized the importance of offering alternative and innovative solutions, stating that CATIE-CAIA's participation identified individuals, institutions, and researchers interested in learning more about this work. She also extended an invitation to collaborative research within the framework of the presentation.

This participation is part of the initiatives undertaken by UCSHS to highlight the expected impact with the opening of the Techno-organic Solutions Laboratory based on water, with an emphasis on watershed sanitation, under the CATIE-CAIA agreement..

To learn more about CATIE's presentation at the symposium, you can access the complete video here.

CATIE's involvement reinforces its commitment to research and the implementation of innovative solutions to address current challenges in water quality in Costa Rica.