At a time when the water crisis in Guanacaste has escalated into interventions by law enforcement officers, neighborhood vigils and scrutiny by politicians, a small coastal community is enjoying the benefit of two new water wells complete with their corresponding pumps, distribution pipes and a storage tank. What is surprising about these two new water sources is they were unusually donated by a real estate developer.

Gerardo Alvarez owns 22 hectares of prime real estate in La Garita of Guanacaste, a small town located close to ritzy Tamarindo Beach, a coastal community with one of the highest costs of living in Costa Rica. Mr. Alvarez is a Carrillo native who owns a large farm dedicated to various crops as well as to maintaining a section as a primary dry tropical forest for the benefit of deer, monkeys, racoons, coyotes, and lots of birds among other species.

Mr. Alvarez knows that his land is one of the most sought-after by foreign developers in Costa Rica; after all, La Garita is located near the crossroads that lead to Tamarindo Beach, Playa Grande, Playa Negra, Playa Brasilito, Playa Conchal, Playa Langosta, and event Pirate’s Bay. All of these beaches are located within five to twenty minutes away by car; in other words, this is the heart of Guanacaste’s famous Gold Coast, and Mr. Alvarez could get a pretty penny for his land.

As reported by Edgar Canton of online news daily El Pais, Mr. Alvarez could possibly become one of the richest men in Costa Rica if he sold his property to a luxury real estate developer. He has actually set aside 22 hectares for this purpose: To build vacation homes minutes away from Tamarindo Beach, all with a great view of the Pacific Ocean. However, Mr. Alvarez does not like what he sees happening across the Gold Coast with regard to the scarce water utility: Crops dying due to lack of irrigation and poor families suffering water shortages while golf courses are kept green and luxury resorts offer pools and splash fountains to their guests.

To avoid the water utility corruption he has seen in his beloved Guanacaste, Mr. Alvarez plans to develop his own land, starting with the donation of the water wells and equipment he owns. He will allow the local utility to draw water from his property as the community grows, and he will remind vacation home buyers that in Guanacaste water is precious and must be shared equally among all residents.