Costa Rica's drinking water is safe to drink, unlike Mexico or other Latin American countries where it is discouraged to do so. It is important to note, that reports in 2005 stated around 70% of Costa Ricans had access to potable drinking water.
In the areas where most tourists go, the number is significantly higher due to the fact the government of Costa Rica is well aware that foreign tourists are the goose that laid the golden egg for the economy of Costa Rica. With that said, there is also another concern which is that 96% of all urban wastewater collected, is left untreated and discharged into local streams and rivers.
This poses a health risk for those who swim in the rivers of Costa Rica. Often you may see after a rain, trash bags, cars tires, and other such unsightly waste floating in the breaking waves of ocean beaches which are items that have been discarded in or near rivers by locals.
Reports have also concluded that some areas of Costa Rica's potable water supplies have been tainted by agro-chemicals from farming, but government tests failed to yield any evidence linking it to skin diseases, cancers, or birth defects.
Development- Services 
