{ "id": "nexus-ext-1-0007-135211", "citation": "Res. 15670-2010 Sala Constitucional", "section": "nexus_decisions", "doc_type": "constitutional_decision", "title_es": "Obligación municipal de garantizar drenaje pluvial adecuado", "title_en": "Municipal obligation to ensure adequate storm drainage", "summary_es": "La Sala Constitucional declara con lugar un recurso de amparo interpuesto por vecinos de la Urbanización Bella Vista en Alajuelita, quienes denunciaban el mal estado del alcantarillado pluvial y fluvial, cuyo diámetro insuficiente provocaba desbordamientos e inundaciones en época de lluvias. La Sala determina que esta situación lesiona los artículos 21 (derecho a la salud) y 50 (derecho a un ambiente sano y ecológicamente equilibrado) de la Constitución Política, al existir un riesgo inminente para la salud por el estancamiento de aguas. La sentencia reafirma la jurisprudencia consolidada sobre la competencia compartida entre municipalidades, el Instituto Costarricense de Acueductos y Alcantarillados (AyA) y el Ministerio de Salud en la provisión y fiscalización de sistemas de drenaje pluvial, ordenando a la Municipalidad de Alajuelita coordinar acciones para una solución definitiva, con colaboración técnica y supervisión del AyA y del Ministerio de Salud.", "summary_en": "The Constitutional Chamber grants an amparo filed by residents of Bella Vista urbanization in Alajuelita, who reported poor storm and fluvial drainage conditions, where insufficient pipe diameter caused flooding during rainy season. The Court finds a violation of Articles 21 (right to health) and 50 (right to a healthy and ecologically balanced environment) of the Constitution due to imminent health risks from water stagnation. The ruling reaffirms settled case law on shared competence among municipalities, the Costa Rican Institute of Aqueducts and Sewers (AyA), and the Ministry of Health for providing and overseeing storm drainage. It orders the Municipality of Alajuelita to coordinate a permanent solution, with technical support and monitoring from AyA and the Ministry of Health.", "court_or_agency": "Sala Constitucional", "date": "2010", "year": "2010", "topic_ids": [ "water-law" ], "primary_topic_id": null, "es_concept_hints": [ "alcantarillado pluvial", "amparo", "estancamiento de aguas", "Artículo 50 constitucional", "dengue", "Ley General de Salud", "acueductos y alcantarillados" ], "concept_anchors": [ { "article": "Art. 50", "law": "Constitución Política" }, { "article": "Art. 21", "law": "Constitución Política" }, { "article": "Art. 169", "law": "Constitución Política" }, { "article": "Art. 285", "law": "Ley General de Salud" }, { "article": "Art. 2", "law": "Ley Constitutiva del Instituto Costarricense de Acueductos y Alcantarillados" } ], "keywords_es": [ "alcantarillado pluvial", "drenaje", "inundaciones", "derecho a ambiente sano", "salud pública", "Municipalidad de Alajuelita", "competencia municipal", "AyA", "amparo ambiental" ], "keywords_en": [ "storm drainage", "flooding", "right to healthy environment", "public health", "Municipality of Alajuelita", "municipal competence", "AyA", "environmental amparo" ], "excerpt_es": "De lo expuesto, la Sala determina la existencia de riesgo en la salud de los vecinos de la Urbanización Bella Vista por el estancamiento de aguas debido a que el diámetro del alcantarillado pluvial y fluvial es menor al que se requiere en la zona. En consecuencia, lo procedente es declarar con lugar el recurso.", "excerpt_en": "Based on the foregoing, the Chamber finds a health risk for the residents of Bella Vista urbanization due to water stagnation because the storm and fluvial drainage pipe diameter is smaller than required for the area. Therefore, the appropriate course of action is to grant the amparo.", "outcome": { "label_en": "Granted", "label_es": "Con lugar", "summary_en": "The Chamber grants the amparo and orders the Municipality of Alajuelita, with support from AyA and the Ministry of Health, to provide a definitive solution to the storm drainage problem threatening residents' health and environment.", "summary_es": "La Sala declara con lugar el amparo y ordena a la Municipalidad de Alajuelita, con colaboración del AyA y del Ministerio de Salud, solucionar definitivamente el problema de alcantarillado pluvial que pone en riesgo la salud y el ambiente de los vecinos." }, "pull_quotes": [ { "context": "Considerando V", "quote_en": "The creation of appropriate drainage within a community to avoid property damage, health risks, or environmental problems for its neighbors is [...] part of the services the Municipality is obliged to provide.", "quote_es": "La creación de medios de drenaje adecuados dentro de una comunidad a efectos de no causar daños a la propiedad, a la salud ni problemas de ambientales a sus vecinos es [...] parte de los servicios que la Municipalidad está en la obligación de brindar." }, { "context": "Considerando IV", "quote_en": "Based on the foregoing, the Chamber finds a health risk for the residents of Bella Vista urbanization due to water stagnation because the storm and fluvial drainage pipe diameter is smaller than required for the area.", "quote_es": "De lo expuesto, la Sala determina la existencia de riesgo en la salud de los vecinos de la Urbanización Bella Vista por el estancamiento de aguas debido a que el diámetro del alcantarillado pluvial y fluvial es menor al que se requiere en la zona." }, { "context": "Considerando II", "quote_en": "the right to a healthy and ecologically balanced environment is a fundamental right derived from Article 50 of the Constitution, which not only enshrines the right of every citizen to enjoy a healthy and ecologically balanced environment, but also obligates the State to guarantee the exercise of that right", "quote_es": "el derecho a gozar de un ambiente sano y ecológicamente equilibrado es un derecho fundamental que deriva del artículo 50 Constitucional, según el cual, no sólo consagra el derecho de todo ciudadano a gozar de un medio ambiente sano y ecológicamente equilibrado, sino que además obliga al Estado a garantizar el ejercicio de dicho derecho" } ], "cites": [], "cited_by": [], "references": { "internal": [], "external": [] }, "source_url": "https://nexuspj.poder-judicial.go.cr/document/ext-1-0007-135211", "tier": 2, "_editorial_citation_count": 0, "regulations_by_article": null, "amendments_by_article": null, "dictamen_by_article": null, "concordancias_by_article": null, "afectaciones_by_article": null, "resoluciones_by_article": null, "cited_by_votos": [], "cited_norms": [], "cited_norms_inverted": [ { "doc_id": "norm-37097", "norm_num": "2726", "norm_name": "Ley Constitutiva del Instituto Costarricense de Acueductos y Alcantarillados", "tipo_norma": "Ley", "norm_fecha": "14/04/1961" }, { "doc_id": "norm-6581", "norm_num": "5395", "norm_name": "Ley General de Salud", "tipo_norma": "Ley", "norm_fecha": "30/10/1973" }, { "doc_id": "norm-8204", "norm_num": "5412", "norm_name": "Ley Orgánica del Ministerio de Salud", "tipo_norma": "Ley", "norm_fecha": "08/11/1973" }, { "doc_id": "norm-871", "norm_num": "0", "norm_name": "Derecho a un ambiente sano y ecológicamente equilibrado — Artículo 50 de la Constitución Política", "tipo_norma": "Constitución Política", "norm_fecha": "07/11/1949" } ], "sentencias_relacionadas": [], "temas_y_subtemas": [], "cascade_only": false, "amendment_count": 0, "body_es_text": "“II.- Sobre el derecho a gozar de un ambiente sano y ecológicamente\r\nequilibrado, el alcantarillado pluvial y las competencias de las\r\nAdministraciones Públicas: Este Tribunal en jurisprudencia reiterada ha reconocido que el derecho a\r\ngozar de un ambiente sano y ecológicamente equilibrado es un derecho\r\nfundamental que deriva del artículo 50 Constitucional, según el cual, no sólo\r\nconsagra el derecho de todo ciudadano a gozar de un medio ambiente sano y\r\necológicamente equilibrado, sino que además obliga al Estado a garantizar el\r\nejercicio de dicho derecho, mediante los medios establecidos al efecto por la\r\nlegislación vigente. Concretamente, tal como lo ha dicho esta Sala en el voto\r\n05-9900 de las diez horas del veintinueve de julio del dos mil cinco debe la Municipalidad\r\nconstruir la infraestructura necesaria para hacer discurrir adecuadamente las\r\naguas, para así garantizar el derecho a la salud y a un ambiente libre de\r\ncontaminación y sin perjudicar a terceros:\n\r\n\r\n\n“V.- Sobre las\r\nobligaciones municipales en materia de alcantarillado pluvial.- Es conveniente tomar en cuenta que el\r\nartículo 169 de la Constitución Política establece que la administración de los\r\nintereses y servicios locales en cada cantón, estará a cargo del Gobierno Municipal.\r\nLos intereses y servicios locales han sido definidos por la Sala como conceptos jurídicos\r\nindeterminados donde la ley no resuelve con exactitud su contenido para su\r\naplicación a casos concretos, por lo que resulta necesario acudir a criterios\r\nde valor y de experiencia, por parte de quien le corresponde aplicarlo, para\r\ndeterminar su contenido. La creación de medios de drenaje adecuados dentro de\r\nuna comunidad a efectos de no causar daños a la propiedad, a la salud ni\r\nproblemas de ambientales a sus vecinos es, dentro de los términos indicados por\r\nla Constitución Política, de interés del cantón y es parte de los servicios que\r\nla Municipalidad está en la obligación de brindar. En este mismo sentido la Ley\r\nGeneral de Salud en su artículo 285 establece que las aguas pluviales deberán\r\nser eliminadas adecuada y sanitariamente a fin de evitar la contaminación del\r\nsuelo y de las fuentes naturales de agua para el uso y consumo humano, la\r\nformación de criaderos de vectores y enfermedades y la contaminación del aire\r\nmediante condiciones que atenten contra su pureza y calidad. Por tal motivo, la\r\nMunicipalidad de Goicoechea, está obligada a asumir un determinado\r\ncomportamiento para la satisfacción de sus fines, tomando las medidas\r\nrequeridas para proveer a la comunidad amparada, de un sistema eficiente de\r\ndrenaje de las aguas pluviales. Ajustado a criterios de razonabilidad debe la\r\nMunicipalidad construir la infraestructura necesaria para hacer discurrir\r\nadecuadamente esas aguas, para así garantizar el derecho a la salud y a un\r\nambiente libre de contaminación y sin perjudicar a terceros. Asimismo, en\r\natención a lo dispuesto por el artículo 2 de la Ley Constitutiva del Instituto\r\nCostarricense de Acueductos y Alcantarillados, tal obligación municipal debe\r\nser compartida con el Instituto Nacional de Acueductos y Alcantarillados, ya\r\nque éste, como órgano rector de la materia, es el encargado a nivel nacional de\r\ndirigir, coordinar y vigilar todo lo concerniente a la evacuación de aguas\r\nnegras, alcantarillados y contaminación de los recursos de agua en beneficio de\r\nlos habitantes de la República, por lo que esta Institución no es ajena del\r\ntodo al problema que plantea la amparada.”\n\r\n\r\n\n \n\r\n\r\n\nPor otro lado, aunque el problema fuera solamente\r\nocasionado por el alcantarillado pluvial, el Ministerio de Salud no puede\r\ndesentenderse de ello, puesto que, de conformidad con los artículos 21 de la\r\nConstitución, 2° de la Ley General de Salud, y 2° de la Ley Orgánica del\r\nMinisterio de Salud, le corresponde la función esencial de velar por la salud\r\nde los habitantes de la República, debiendo adoptar todas las medidas generales\r\ny particulares necesarias (artículos 337 y 355 de la Ley N°5395) para\r\ngarantizar el pleno disfrute de ese derecho. Asimismo, hacer cumplir con lo\r\nestablecido en la Ley General de Salud en su artículo 285 y 292:\n\r\n\r\n\n“ARTICULO 285.-\r\nLas excretas, las aguas negras, las servidas y las pluviales, deberán ser\r\neliminadas adecuada y sanitariamente a fin de evitar la contaminación del suelo\r\ny de las fuentes naturales de agua para el uso y consumo humano, la formación\r\nde criaderos de vectores y enfermedades y la contaminación del aire mediante\r\ncondiciones que atenten contra su pureza o calidad.\n\r\n\r\n\n“ARTICULO 292.-\r\nQueda prohibido en todo caso la descarga de las aguas negras, de las aguas\r\nservidas y de residuos industriales al alcantarillado pluvial. El Ministerio\r\nqueda facultado para restringir, regular, o prohibir la eliminación de\r\nproductos sintéticos no biodegradables a través de los sistemas de recolección\r\nde excretas, aguas.”\n\r\n\r\n\nComo se desprende de lo expuesto anteriormente, la competencia en materia\r\nde alcantarillado pluvial, se encuentra establecida, expresa e implícitamente,\r\npor la legislación común. Si bien, el actual Código Municipal no establece\r\nninguna disposición específica en cuanto este tema, la Sala ha declarado, en\r\nsentencia Nº 2002-08696 de las diez y catorce horas del seis de setiembre del\r\ndos mil dos, que esto no excluye la obligación de los entes municipales\r\n—evidentemente, en coordinación con el Instituto Costarricense de Acueductos y\r\nAlcantarillados que es el ente rector por excelencia en la materia—, de\r\ndesarrollar, entre otras obras de carácter comunal, lo relativo a adecuados\r\nsistemas de acueductos y alcantarillados. En efecto, el artículo 4 inciso\r\nc) del Código Municipal vigente establece en términos generales, como una\r\natribución municipal, el administrar y prestar los servicios públicos\r\nmunicipales, dentro de los cuales, sin duda alguna, se encuentran los sistemas\r\nde acueductos y alcantarillados. Además, el Instituto Costarricense de\r\nAcueductos y Alcantarillados tiene igualmente una competencia compartida al\r\nrespecto. En la referida resolución Nº 2002-08696 de las diez horas catorce\r\nminutos del seis de setiembre del dos mil dos, la Sala concluyó que “... la\r\natribución de crear y mantener las redes del alcantarillado sanitario, le\r\ncorresponde a las municipalidades, por cuanto éstas, según el artículo 3 del\r\nCódigo Municipal vigente, son las principales obligadas de velar por los\r\nintereses y servicios cantonales dentro de la jurisdicción que tengan a su\r\ncargo y porque expresamente así se deriva del artículo 169 de la Constitución\r\nPolítica, que establece la competencia genérica de las Municipalidades en esta\r\nmateria. Sin embargo, en atención a lo dispuesto por el artículo 2 de la Ley\r\nConstitutiva del Instituto Costarricense de Acueductos y Alcantarillados, tal\r\nobligación debe ser compartida con el Instituto Nacional de Acueductos y\r\nAlcantarillados, ya que éste, como órgano rector de la materia, es el encargado\r\na nivel nacional (sic) de dirigir, coordinar y vigilar todo lo concerniente a\r\nla evacuación de aguas negras, alcantarillados y contaminación de los recursos\r\nde agua en beneficio de los habitantes de la República.”.\n\r\n\r\n\nIII.- Referente al problema del alcantarillado sanitario en el Cantón de\r\nAlajuelita: Esta Sala en\r\nel expediente 10-009950 presentado por MARÍA DE LOS ÁNGELES BERMÚDEZ FALLAS,\r\ncontra la MUNICIPALIDAD DE ALAJUELITA, dispuso: \n\r\n\r\n\n“Se declara CON\r\nlugar el recurso. En consecuencia: 1) Se ordena a MARIBEL SANDI MONTERO,\r\nen su calidad de Alcaldesa a.i de la Municipalidad de Alajuelita, SILENE\r\nMONTERO VALERIO, en su calidad de Presidenta del Concejo Municipal y LUIS\r\nFERNANDO CAMBRONERO GAMBOA, en su calidad de Director de la Unidad de gestión\r\nVial de la Municipalidad de Alajuelita, o a quienes en su lugar ocupen estos\r\ncargos, proceder inmediatamente a coordinar acciones a efectos de solucionar de\r\nforma definitiva el problema de alcantarillado pluvial que aqueja a los vecinos\r\nde Concepción Debajo de Alajuelita, para que no haya más desbordamiento de las\r\naguas pluviales. Los trabajos para implementar la solución deberán iniciarse\r\ndentro del plazo máximo de UN MES contado a partir de la notificación de esta\r\nresolución, y mientras los trabajos terminan deberán implementar una medida\r\nprovisional. 2) Se ordena a MARIA LUISA AVILA AGUERO, en su calidad de\r\nMinistra de Salud, y a HEIBEL RODRIGUEZ ARAYA, en su calidad de Gerente con\r\npoder generalísimo sin límite de suma del Instituto Costarricense de Acueductos\r\ny Alcantarillados, o a quienes en su lugar ocupen estos cargos, ordenar de\r\ninmediato la realización de una inspección en el sitio y emitir las\r\nrecomendaciones del caso a la Municipalidad de Alajuelita para la solución del\r\nproblema objeto de este recurso. Asimismo, se les ordena prestar a dicha\r\nMunicipalidad la colaboración necesaria, dentro del ámbito de sus competencias,\r\na efectos de implementar dichas recomendaciones; y ser vigilantes de que tal\r\nsolución sea debidamente implementada. Todos bajo apercibimiento de que podrían\r\nincurrir en el delito tipificado en el artículo 71 de la Ley de la Jurisdicción\r\nConstitucional, el cual dispone que se impondrá prisión de tres meses a dos\r\naños, o de veinte a sesenta días multa, a quien recibiere una orden que deba cumplir\r\no hacer cumplir, dictada en un recurso de amparo y no la cumpliere o no la\r\nhiciere cumplir, siempre que el delito no esté más gravemente penado. Se\r\ncondena a la Municipalidad de Alajuelita al pago de las costas, daños y\r\nperjuicios causados con los hechos que sirven de base a esta declaratoria, los\r\nque se liquidarán en ejecución de sentencia de lo contencioso administrativo.\r\nNotifíquese a MARIBEL SANDI MONTERO, en su calidad de Alcaldesa a.i de la\r\nMunicipalidad de Alajuelita, SILENE MONTERO VALERIO, en su calidad de\r\nPresidenta del Concejo Municipal y LUIS FERNANDO CAMBRONERO GAMBOA, en su\r\ncalidad de Director de la Unidad de gestión Vial de la Municipalidad de\r\nAlajuelita, a MARIA LUISA AVILA AGUERO, en su calidad de Ministra de Salud, y a\r\nHEIBEL RODRIGUEZ ARAYA, en su calidad de Gerente con poder generalísimo sin\r\nlímite de suma del Instituto Costarricense de Acueductos y Alcantarillados, o a\r\nquienes en su lugar ocupen estos cargos, de forma personal.\r\nComuníquese a todas las partes, y a la Ministra del Salud y al Gerente del\r\nAyA.”. \n\r\n\r\n\n \n\r\n\r\n\nEn este voto la Sala estima que se lesionan los\r\nartículos 21 y 50 de la Constitución Política debido a que desde el año dos mil\r\nocho los vecinos del Cantón de Concepción Abajo de Alajuelita han solicitado a\r\nla municipalidad la solución al problema de alcantarillado pluvial, siendo que,\r\na la fecha persiste. Se observa que las casas de los vecinos se inundan porque\r\nla tubería existente tiene un diámetro reducido por lo que el riesgo en la\r\nsalud y al ambiente es inminente. \n\r\n\r\n\n \n\r\n\r\n\n IV.- Caso concreto: Después de analizar los elementos\r\nprobatorios aportados este Tribunal verifica la lesión a los artículos 21 y 50\r\nde la Constitución Política. Del informe rendido por el representante de la\r\nautoridad recurrida -que se tiene por dado bajo fe de juramento con las\r\nconsecuencias, incluso penales, previstas en el artículo 44 de la Ley que rige\r\nesta Jurisdicción- y la prueba aportada para la resolución del asunto ha sido\r\ndebidamente acreditado que la propiedad del accionante se ubica en Alajuelita\r\nCentro, Urbanización Bella Vista, de la entrada principal doscientos metros al\r\neste. Según inspección realizada el veintiséis de agosto del dos mil diez por\r\nel Gestor Ambiental del Área de Rectora de Salud de Alajuelita se establece que\r\nse debe de evaluar el diámetro de la tubería de aguas pluviales. No se\r\nobservaron criaderos del mosquito transmisor del dengue por el fluir de las\r\naguas, además de que están expuestas al sol, condiciones no aptas para\r\ncriaderos de ese mosquito. En ese estudio se concluye que la topografía del\r\nterreno, diseño del alcantarillado pluvial y fluvial y la cantidad de viviendas\r\nen la zona contribuyen a que en época de invierno las aguas se desborden y\r\nafecten a los vecinos. De lo expuesto, la Sala determina la existencia de riesgo\r\nen la salud de los vecinos de la Urbanización Bella Vista por el estancamiento\r\nde aguas debido a que el diámetro del alcantarillado pluvial y fluvial es menor\r\nal que se requiere en la zona. En consecuencia, lo procedente es declarar con\r\nlugar el recurso.”", "body_en_text": "II.- On the right to enjoy a healthy and ecologically balanced environment, storm drainage (alcantarillado pluvial), and the competencies of Public Administrations: This Court in reiterated jurisprudence has recognized that the right to enjoy a healthy and ecologically balanced environment is a fundamental right derived from Article 50 of the Constitution, according to which, it not only enshrines the right of every citizen to enjoy a healthy and ecologically balanced environment, but also obligates the State to guarantee the exercise of that right, through the means established for that purpose by current legislation. Specifically, as this Chamber stated in ruling 05-9900 at ten o'clock on July twenty-ninth, two thousand five, the Municipality must build the necessary infrastructure to properly channel the waters, in order to guarantee the right to health and to an environment free of contamination and without harming third parties:\n\n“V.- On municipal obligations regarding storm drainage (alcantarillado pluvial).- It is pertinent to consider that Article 169 of the Political Constitution establishes that the administration of local interests and services in each canton shall be the responsibility of the Municipal Government. Local interests and services have been defined by the Chamber as indeterminate legal concepts where the law does not precisely resolve their content for application to specific cases, making it necessary to resort to criteria of value and experience, by the party responsible for applying it, to determine their content. The creation of adequate drainage media within a community for the purpose of not causing damage to property, health, or environmental problems to its neighbors is, within the terms indicated by the Political Constitution, of interest to the canton and is part of the services that the Municipality is obligated to provide. In this same sense, the General Health Law (Ley General de Salud) in its Article 285 establishes that stormwater (aguas pluviales) must be eliminated adequately and sanitarily in order to avoid contamination of the soil and natural water sources for human use and consumption, the formation of vector breeding sites and diseases, and air pollution through conditions that threaten its purity and quality. For this reason, the Municipality of Goicoechea is obligated to assume a certain behavior for the satisfaction of its purposes, taking the required measures to provide the protected community with an efficient stormwater (aguas pluviales) drainage system. In accordance with criteria of reasonableness, the Municipality must build the necessary infrastructure to properly channel those waters, in order to guarantee the right to health and to an environment free of contamination and without harming third parties. Likewise, in accordance with the provisions of Article 2 of the Constitutive Law of the Instituto Costarricense de Acueductos y Alcantarillados, such municipal obligation must be shared with the Instituto Nacional de Acueductos y Alcantarillados, since it, as the governing body on the matter, is responsible at the national level for directing, coordinating, and overseeing everything concerning the evacuation of sewage (aguas negras), sewer systems (alcantarillados), and contamination of water resources for the benefit of the inhabitants of the Republic, for which reason this Institution is not entirely removed from the problem raised by the petitioner.”\n\nOn the other hand, even if the problem were only caused by the storm drainage (alcantarillado pluvial), the Ministry of Health cannot disregard it, given that, in accordance with Articles 21 of the Constitution, 2 of the General Health Law (Ley General de Salud), and 2 of the Organic Law of the Ministry of Health, it holds the essential function of ensuring the health of the inhabitants of the Republic, and must adopt all necessary general and specific measures (Articles 337 and 355 of Law N°5395) to guarantee the full enjoyment of that right. Likewise, it must enforce compliance with the provisions of the General Health Law (Ley General de Salud) in its Article 285 and 292:\n\n“ARTICLE 285.- Excreta, sewage (aguas negras), wastewater (aguas servidas), and stormwater (aguas pluviales) must be eliminated adequately and sanitarily in order to avoid contamination of the soil and natural water sources for human use and consumption, the formation of vector breeding sites and diseases, and air pollution through conditions that threaten its purity or quality.\n\n“ARTICLE 292.- The discharge of sewage (aguas negras), wastewater (aguas servidas), and industrial waste into the storm drainage system (alcantarillado pluvial) is prohibited in all cases. The Ministry is empowered to restrict, regulate, or prohibit the elimination of non-biodegradable synthetic products through excreta and water collection systems.”\n\nAs can be inferred from the foregoing, competence regarding storm drainage (alcantarillado pluvial) is established, expressly and implicitly, by ordinary legislation. Although the current Municipal Code does not establish any specific provision on this matter, the Chamber declared, in judgment Nº 2002-08696 at ten fourteen hours on September sixth, two thousand two, that this does not exclude the obligation of municipal entities —evidently, in coordination with the Instituto Costarricense de Acueductos y Alcantarillados, which is the governing body par excellence on the matter— to develop, among other works of a communal nature, matters relating to adequate aqueduct and sewer systems. Indeed, Article 4, subsection c) of the current Municipal Code establishes in general terms, as a municipal power, the administration and provision of municipal public services, within which, without a doubt, aqueduct and sewer systems are found. Furthermore, the Instituto Costarricense de Acueductos y Alcantarillados likewise has shared competence in this regard. In the aforementioned resolution Nº 2002-08696 at ten hours fourteen minutes on September sixth, two thousand two, the Chamber concluded that “... the authority to create and maintain sanitary sewer networks belongs to the municipalities, since they, according to Article 3 of the current Municipal Code, are the primary parties obligated to ensure cantonal interests and services within the jurisdiction under their charge and because this expressly derives from Article 169 of the Political Constitution, which establishes the generic competence of Municipalities in this matter. However, in accordance with the provisions of Article 2 of the Constitutive Law of the Instituto Costarricense de Acueductos y Alcantarillados, such obligation must be shared with the Instituto Nacional de Acueductos y Alcantarillados, since it, as the governing body on the matter, is responsible at the national level (sic) for directing, coordinating, and overseeing everything concerning the evacuation of sewage (aguas negras), sewer systems (alcantarillados), and contamination of water resources for the benefit of the inhabitants of the Republic.”.\n\nIII.- Regarding the problem of sanitary sewer system (alcantarillado sanitario) in the Canton of Alajuelita: This Chamber, in case file 10-009950 filed by MARÍA DE LOS ÁNGELES BERMÚDEZ FALLAS against the MUNICIPALIDAD DE ALAJUELITA, ordered:\n\n“The appeal is GRANTED. Consequently: 1) MARIBEL SANDI MONTERO, in her capacity as Acting Mayor of the Municipality of Alajuelita, SILENE MONTERO VALERIO, in her capacity as President of the Municipal Council, and LUIS FERNANDO CAMBRONERO GAMBOA, in his capacity as Director of the Road Management Unit of the Municipality of Alajuelita, or whomever occupies these positions in their stead, are ordered to immediately coordinate actions to definitively solve the storm drainage (alcantarillado pluvial) problem afflicting the residents of Concepción Debajo de Alajuelita, so that there is no more overflow of stormwater (aguas pluviales). The works to implement the solution must begin within a maximum period of ONE MONTH from the notification of this resolution, and while the works are being completed, a provisional measure must be implemented. 2) MARIA LUISA AVILA AGUERO, in her capacity as Minister of Health, and HEIBEL RODRIGUEZ ARAYA, in his capacity as Manager with unlimited general power of attorney of the Instituto Costarricense de Acueductos y Alcantarillados, or whomever occupies these positions in their stead, are ordered to immediately order an inspection of the site and issue the pertinent recommendations to the Municipality of Alajuelita for solving the problem that is the subject of this appeal. Likewise, they are ordered to provide said Municipality with the necessary collaboration, within the scope of their competencies, to implement said recommendations; and to be vigilant that such solution is duly implemented. All under warning that they could incur the crime defined in Article 71 of the Law of Constitutional Jurisdiction (Ley de la Jurisdicción Constitucional), which provides for imprisonment of three months to two years, or a fine of twenty to sixty days, for anyone who receives an order that must be fulfilled or enforced, issued in an amparo appeal, and does not fulfill it or does not enforce it, provided the crime is not more severely punished. The Municipality of Alajuelita is condemned to pay the costs, damages, and losses caused by the facts that serve as the basis for this declaration, which shall be liquidated in the enforcement of the contentious-administrative judgment. Notify MARIBEL SANDI MONTERO, in her capacity as Acting Mayor of the Municipality of Alajuelita, SILENE MONTERO VALERIO, in her capacity as President of the Municipal Council, and LUIS FERNANDO CAMBRONERO GAMBOA, in his capacity as Director of the Road Management Unit of the Municipality of Alajuelita, MARIA LUISA AVILA AGUERO, in her capacity as Minister of Health, and HEIBEL RODRIGUEZ ARAYA, in his capacity as Manager with unlimited general power of attorney of the Instituto Costarricense de Acueductos y Alcantarillados, or whomever occupies these positions in their stead, personally. Notify all parties, and the Minister of Health and the Manager of AyA.”.\n\nIn this ruling, the Chamber finds that Articles 21 and 50 of the Political Constitution are violated because since two thousand eight, the residents of the Canton of Concepción Abajo de Alajuelita have requested that the municipality solve the storm drainage (alcantarillado pluvial) problem, which to date persists. It is observed that the residents' houses flood because the existing pipeline has a reduced diameter, so the risk to health and the environment is imminent.\n\nIV.- Specific Case: After analyzing the evidentiary elements provided, this Tribunal verifies the violation of Articles 21 and 50 of the Political Constitution. From the report rendered by the representative of the respondent authority —which is taken as given under oath with the consequences, including criminal ones, provided for in Article 44 of the Law governing this Jurisdiction— and the evidence provided for the resolution of the matter, it has been duly accredited that the petitioner's property is located in Alajuelita Centro, Bella Vista Urbanization (Urbanización Bella Vista), two hundred meters east from the main entrance. According to an inspection conducted on August twenty-sixth, two thousand ten, by the Environmental Manager of the Health Governing Area of Alajuelita, it is established that the diameter of the stormwater drainage (aguas pluviales) pipeline must be evaluated. No breeding sites for the dengue-transmitting mosquito were observed due to the flow of the waters, in addition to them being exposed to the sun, conditions unsuitable for breeding sites for that mosquito. That study concludes that the topography of the land, the design of the storm drainage (alcantarillado pluvial) and riverine drainage system, and the number of dwellings in the area contribute to the waters overflowing in the winter season and affecting the residents. From the foregoing, the Chamber determines the existence of a risk to the health of the residents of the Bella Vista Urbanization (Urbanización Bella Vista) due to water stagnation because the diameter of the storm drainage (alcantarillado pluvial) and riverine drainage system is smaller than required in the area. Consequently, the appropriate course is to grant the appeal.\n\n**II.- On the right to enjoy a healthy and ecologically balanced environment, storm drainage (alcantarillado pluvial), and the competencies of Public Administrations:** This Court, in reiterated case law, has recognized that the right to enjoy a healthy and ecologically balanced environment is a fundamental right deriving from Article 50 of the Constitution, according to which, it not only enshrines the right of every citizen to enjoy a healthy and ecologically balanced environment, but also obligates the State to guarantee the exercise of said right, through the means established for that purpose by current legislation. Specifically, as this Chamber stated in ruling 05-9900 of ten o'clock on July twenty-ninth, two thousand five, the Municipality must build the necessary infrastructure to properly channel the waters, in order to guarantee the right to health and to an environment free of contamination and without harming third parties:\n\n**“V.- On municipal obligations regarding storm drainage (alcantarillado pluvial).-** It is pertinent to take into account that Article 169 of the Constitución Política establishes that the administration of local interests and services in each canton shall be the responsibility of the Municipal Government. Local interests and services have been defined by the Chamber as indeterminate legal concepts where the law does not precisely resolve their content for application to specific cases, making it necessary to resort to criteria of value and experience by the party responsible for applying them, in order to determine their content. The creation of adequate drainage means within a community for the purpose of not causing damage to property, health, or environmental problems to its neighbors is, within the terms indicated by the Constitución Política, of interest to the canton and is part of the services that the Municipality is obligated to provide. In this same sense, the Ley General de Salud in its Article 285 establishes that stormwater (aguas pluviales) must be adequately and sanitarily eliminated in order to avoid contamination of the soil and natural water sources for human use and consumption, the formation of vector breeding sites and diseases, and air contamination through conditions that threaten its purity and quality. For this reason, the Municipality of Goicoechea is obligated to assume a determined behavior for the satisfaction of its purposes, taking the required measures to provide the protected community with an efficient stormwater drainage system. Adjusted to criteria of reasonableness, the Municipality must build the necessary infrastructure to properly channel those waters, in order to guarantee the right to health and to an environment free of contamination and without harming third parties. Likewise, in accordance with the provisions of Article 2 of the Ley Constitutiva del Instituto Costarricense de Acueductos y Alcantarillados, such municipal obligation must be shared with the Instituto Nacional de Acueductos y Alcantarillados, since the latter, as the governing body on the matter, is responsible at the national level for directing, coordinating, and monitoring everything concerning the evacuation of black water (aguas negras), sewer systems (alcantarillados), and contamination of water resources for the benefit of the inhabitants of the Republic, meaning this Institution is not entirely alien to the problem raised by the protected party.”\n\nOn the other hand, even if the problem were solely caused by the storm drainage (alcantarillado pluvial), the Ministry of Health cannot disregard it, since, in accordance with Articles 21 of the Constitution, 2° of the Ley General de Salud, and 2° of the Ley Orgánica del Ministerio de Salud, it is responsible for the essential function of safeguarding the health of the inhabitants of the Republic, and must adopt all necessary general and particular measures (articles 337 and 355 of Law No. 5395) to guarantee the full enjoyment of that right. Likewise, to enforce compliance with the provisions established in the Ley General de Salud in its articles 285 and 292:\n\n“ARTICLE 285.- Excreta, black water (aguas negras), wastewater (aguas servidas), and stormwater (aguas pluviales) must be adequately and sanitarily eliminated in order to avoid contamination of the soil and natural water sources for human use and consumption, the formation of vector breeding sites and diseases, and the contamination of the air through conditions that threaten its purity or quality.\n\n“ARTICLE 292.- The discharge of black water (aguas negras), wastewater (aguas servidas), and industrial waste into the storm drainage (alcantarillado pluvial) is prohibited in all cases. The Ministry is empowered to restrict, regulate, or prohibit the disposal of non-biodegradable synthetic products through excreta and water collection systems.”\n\nAs is evident from the foregoing, jurisdiction in matters of storm drainage (alcantarillado pluvial) is established, expressly and implicitly, by ordinary legislation. Although the current Código Municipal does not establish any specific provision regarding this topic, the Chamber has declared, in judgment No. 2002-08696 of ten fourteen hours on September sixth, two thousand two, that this does not exclude the obligation of municipal entities —evidently, in coordination with the Instituto Costarricense de Acueductos y Alcantarillados, which is the governing entity par excellence in the matter— to develop, among other works of a communal nature, matters relating to adequate water supply (acueductos) and sewer system (alcantarillados) networks. Indeed, Article 4 subsection c) of the current Código Municipal establishes in general terms, as a municipal power, the administration and provision of municipal public services, within which, without any doubt, the water supply and sewer systems are found. Furthermore, the Instituto Costarricense de Acueductos y Alcantarillados likewise has a shared competence in this regard. In the aforementioned resolution No. 2002-08696 of ten hours fourteen minutes on September sixth, two thousand two, the Chamber concluded that “... the power to create and maintain sanitary sewer (alcantarillado sanitario) networks corresponds to the municipalities, since they, according to Article 3 of the current Código Municipal, are the primary parties obligated to safeguard cantonal interests and services within the jurisdiction under their charge and because this expressly derives from Article 169 of the Constitución Política, which establishes the generic competence of the Municipalities in this matter. However, in accordance with the provisions of Article 2 of the Ley Constitutiva del Instituto Costarricense de Acueductos y Alcantarillados, such obligation must be shared with the Instituto Nacional de Acueductos y Alcantarillados, since the latter, as the governing body on the matter, is responsible at the national level (sic) for directing, coordinating, and monitoring everything concerning the evacuation of black water (aguas negras), sewer systems (alcantarillados), and contamination of water resources for the benefit of the inhabitants of the Republic.”.\n\n**III.- Regarding the problem of the sanitary sewer (alcantarillado sanitario) in the Canton of Alajuelita:** This Chamber, in file 10-009950 filed by MARÍA DE LOS ÁNGELES BERMÚDEZ FALLAS, against the MUNICIPALIDAD DE ALAJUELITA, ordered:\n\n“The appeal is declared WITH merit. Consequently: **1)** It is ordered that MARIBEL SANDI MONTERO, in her capacity as Acting Mayor (Alcaldesa a.i) of the Municipality of Alajuelita, SILENE MONTERO VALERIO, in her capacity as President of the Municipal Council (Concejo Municipal), and LUIS FERNANDO CAMBRONERO GAMBOA, in his capacity as Director of the Road Management Unit (Unidad de gestión Vial) of the Municipality of Alajuelita, or whomever occupies these positions in their stead, immediately proceed to coordinate actions to definitively solve the problem of storm drainage (alcantarillado pluvial) afflicting the residents of Concepción Debajo de Alajuelita, so that there is no further overflow of stormwater (aguas pluviales). The work to implement the solution must begin within a maximum period of ONE MONTH counted from the notification of this resolution, and while the work is being completed they must implement a provisional measure. **2)** It is ordered that MARIA LUISA AVILA AGUERO, in her capacity as Minister of Health, and HEIBEL RODRIGUEZ ARAYA, in his capacity as Manager with unlimited general power of attorney (poder generalísimo sin límite de suma) of the Instituto Costarricense de Acueductos y Alcantarillados, or whomever occupies these positions in their stead, immediately order an inspection to be carried out on the site and issue the relevant recommendations to the Municipality of Alajuelita for the solution of the problem that is the subject of this appeal. Likewise, they are ordered to provide said Municipality with the necessary collaboration, within the scope of their competencies, to implement said recommendations; and to be vigilant that such solution is duly implemented. All under warning that they could incur the crime typified in Article 71 of the Ley de la Jurisdicción Constitucional, which provides that imprisonment of three months to two years, or a fine of twenty to sixty days, shall be imposed on anyone who receives an order that must be complied with or enforced, issued in an amparo appeal, and does not comply with it or does not enforce it, provided that the crime is not more severely punished. The Municipality of Alajuelita is condemned to pay the costs, damages, and losses caused by the facts that serve as the basis for this declaration, which shall be liquidated in the execution of judgment of the contentious-administrative jurisdiction. Notify personally MARIBEL SANDI MONTERO, in her capacity as Acting Mayor (Alcaldesa a.i) of the Municipality of Alajuelita, SILENE MONTERO VALERIO, in her capacity as President of the Municipal Council, and LUIS FERNANDO CAMBRONERO GAMBOA, in his capacity as Director of the Road Management Unit of the Municipality of Alajuelita, MARIA LUISA AVILA AGUERO, in her capacity as Minister of Health, and HEIBEL RODRIGUEZ ARAYA, in his capacity as Manager with unlimited general power of attorney of the Instituto Costarricense de Acueductos y Alcantarillados, or whomever occupies these positions in their stead, **personally**. Communicate to all parties, and to the Minister of Health and the Manager of AyA.”.\n\nIn this vote, the Chamber considers that Articles 21 and 50 of the Constitución Política are violated because since the year two thousand eight the residents of the Canton of Concepción Abajo de Alajuelita have requested the municipality to solve the problem of storm drainage (alcantarillado pluvial), and it persists to date. It is observed that the neighbors' houses flood because the existing pipeline has a reduced diameter, so the risk to health and the environment is imminent.\n\n   **IV.- Specific case:** After analyzing the evidentiary elements provided, this Court verifies the violation of Articles 21 and 50 of the Constitución Política. From the report issued by the representative of the appealed authority —which is taken as given under oath with the consequences, including criminal ones, provided for in Article 44 of the Law that governs this Jurisdiction— and the evidence provided for the resolution of the matter, it has been duly accredited that the petitioner's property is located in Alajuelita Centro, Urbanización Bella Vista, two hundred meters east of the main entrance. According to an inspection carried out on August twenty-sixth, two thousand ten by the Environmental Manager (Gestor Ambiental) of the Rector Health Area (Área de Rectora de Salud) of Alajuelita, it is established that the diameter of the stormwater (aguas pluviales) pipeline must be evaluated. No breeding sites of the mosquito that transmits dengue were observed due to the flow of the waters, in addition to their being exposed to the sun, conditions not suitable for breeding sites of that mosquito. That study concludes that the topography of the terrain, design of the storm and fluvial drainage (alcantarillado pluvial y fluvial), and the number of dwellings in the area contribute to the waters overflowing and affecting the neighbors during the winter season. Based on the foregoing, the Chamber determines the existence of a risk to the health of the residents of Urbanización Bella Vista due to the ponding of water because the diameter of the storm and fluvial drainage (alcantarillado pluvial y fluvial) is smaller than what is required in the area. Consequently, the appropriate course of action is to declare the appeal with merit.”" }