Water Report: Water, ASADAS and Housing in Nosara, 2024

This water report is a summary of information drawn from the statistical research of the Nosara Census, together with institutional references.

The six ASADAS in the district (Delicias–Garza, Esperanza Sur, Playas de Nosara, Santa Marta, Santa Teresita, and Bocas de Nosara) reported 3,322 water services compared with a base of 5,981 housing points (Pre-Census cartography, May 2024), which represents an estimated shortfall of ≈2,659 services if we consider housing alone. Note: ASADA service counts already include commercial meters, and there are households that share a single meter, such as macro-meters and multiple buildings on the same property.

If the current growth rate continues (8.13% annual growth in housing-point cartography), the district could reach 14,140 housing points by 2035, which would require doubling current water capacity in less than a decade. It is therefore necessary to project an adjustment between dwellings and number of services, and to update the growth projection using an 8% annual housing-growth base. The use of underestimated projections (2.45% set 25 years ago) for technical water studies has created a gap between real demand and institutional planning, turning access to water into a mortgage on the district’s hydric future. If this continues, ASADAS will more frequently fall into zones of hydric non-feasibility—that is, without capacity to provide water to new or even current services.

This information is based on the following data:

Historical Summary of Population and Housing Count, Nosara 1970–2011

Indicador/Año	1970	1980	1990	2000	2011
Dwellings	420	419	436	917	2 179
Population	2 679	2 128	2 212	2 875	4 912

Source: Statistical regression (Rosero, 2002) and INEC National Population and Housing Censuses 2000 and 2011, Nosara district.

Water services by ASADA, sectors, occupied dwellings with residents, and housing points in the District of Nosara, Nosara Census 2024

Source: ASADA reports (number of meters), Nosara Census 2024, and Post-Census Cartography, Nosara Census 2024.

Of the occupied dwellings according to the Nosara Census, 99% reported a connection to institutional water (ASADAs), while 1% reported a connection to private systems or wells. This suggests that in most cases, dwellings are connecting in groups to a single meter, which reduces the number of services compared to the number of housing units, including homes under construction. On the other hand, the very high share of access to potable water stands out—an achievement for the district’s community aqueducts in terms of population coverage. The bigger challenge now is to align growth factors and increase hydric capacity over the coming years.

Methodological note:

Post-Census cartography housing points include new dwellings; occupied and unoccupied dwellings; annexed, split, demolished dwellings; and homes under construction. Information on occupied dwellings (with usual residents over 6 months) and Post-Census cartography comes from data collection during the census operation conducted from November 11 to December 21, 2024, with a self-census period through January 15. For more methodological information, contact the research team or consult materials published at www.censonosara.com

References:

Nosara Population and Housing Census 2024

• Post-Census Cartography (housing points), January 2025.

• Census database of occupied dwellings (fieldwork Nov 11–Dec 21, 2024; self-census through Jan 15, 2025).Nosara, Costa Rica: ADC – Nosara Census. More information: https://www.censonosara.com

ASADAs of the Nosara District (Delicias–Garza; Esperanza Sur; Playas de Nosara; Santa Marta; Santa Teresita; Bocas de Nosara). Number of water services (number of meters/services) by ASADA, January–June 2024.Nosara, Costa Rica: ASADAs of the Nosara District.

National Institute of Statistics and Censuses (INEC).

• National Population and Housing Census 2000 and 2011 (Nosara results).

• Historical series: number of dwellings and population 1970–2011 (tabulations).

• Census base cartography and administrative boundaries (Nosara, 2024).San José, Costa Rica: INEC.Available at: https://www.inec.cr

Central American Population Center (CCP–UCR).

• Rosero-Bixby, Luis. Estimates and population projections by district and other geographic areas. Costa Rica 1970–2015 (used for 1970–1990 regression).San José, Costa Rica: CCP–UCR.Available at: https://ccp.ucr.ac.cr

How to cite this report:

Gutiérrez, Emmanuel. Report: Water, ASADAS and Housing in Nosara, 2024. Nosara, Costa Rica: Nosara Census; October 2025. More information at: www.censonosara.com

Contact:Emmanuel Gutiérrez, director and researcher.+506 61427330 | info@censonosara.com