Osa Conservation is an NGO committed to research and nature protection (Non governmental Organization) of the Osa Peninsula. However, sometimes they go outside their mandate to facilitate workshops about water health.
San Josecito is a community on the Brunca ridge from which Costa Ballena´s beautiful beaches are visible. The inhabitants of San Josecito, are proud of having one of the most beautiful rivers in the area, where visitors enjoy clear waters, and waterfalls.
Unfortunately from time to time, individuals visit the river at night, hiding in the darkness; they poison the river and collect the shrimps to sell them knowing they are contaminated.
Fresh water shrimps are scavengers cleaning the river; thus, when they disappear, an ecological imbalance takes place with unwanted consequences.
These polluted waters are the same ones people and animals use in their daily lives.
In February, Osa Conservation presented a workshop on water quality, teaching how to analyze the key variables in order to determine whether the water is in optimal condition. They donated a complete water testing set to the community for them to perform tests, both in the rivers and at home. They also explained how to recognize the water quality through the presence and identification of different aquatic macro-invertebrates.
Depending on the temperature and the level of oxygen (water purity indicator), a greater or lesser number of aquatic species is present in the water, and each one receives a score. A higher score represents a greater variety of organisms, and therefore, healthier water.
We hope more communities learn how to test their water, and stop the indiscriminate poisoning of shrimp and fish, which endangers both animals and humans.
