Need to put either a well or water tank in my Costa Rica airbnb rental, suggestions?

[Rob Pattison]

I have a beach-adjacent property in Costa Rica, a 2 bed-1 bath house within 60 seconds of the beach.   I've owned the house since 2021.  For the first time this year, the local government agency has cut off the water to all houses from either 7am to 5:30pm, or from 12:00pm to 5:30pm.   I already had to let one tenant out of her contract as she had small children.

The gentleman that does my handyman work, and who built my house 40 years ago has suggested a well, but has to be done in April, during the dry season.    I'm not eager to spend what i figure between $3k to $10k on a well.   The other option is a water tank.    I read the average person uses 17 gallons when taking a shower.    

Anyone having experience with this challenge, I welcome suggestions.

[Michael Baum]

Wow @Rob Pattison, that is weird. Did they give some kind of reason for it?

Do you know of anyone else in the area that has a well? Any idea of where the water depth is? A drilling company should be able to tell you.

I would be very curious as to why the city/town is cutting off water. Will they be restoring 24/7 water anytime soon? Is this something they will be fixing?

The way I see it, a well solves all the problems now. A cistern/tank would be something to look at as well (as you said).

The one thing that makes it attractive is the fact that you do have some water supply part of the time. They tank just needs to make up the difference for the time there is no city water. You could use the city water to fill the tank when it is available then it can be relied on during the water supply down time.

It could be a wash on the costs depending. A tank system should have some kind of multi stage filter and UV system to assure microbial and particulate control.