Q COSTA RICA NEW – Children urinating and the ashfall from the Turrialba volcano has caused authorities on Monday to shut down the new fountain of the Plaza de la Cultura, to change the water and filters.
Rafael Marin, architect at the Central Bank explained that the sediment accumulated by Monday forced it necessary to close the fountain to review its operation.
“The number of children at the fountain is very high, they are children than spend two, three and up to four hours there (…) there is urine entering the system (…),” explained Marin.
The stepping on the nozzles has also caused a misalignment, added the architect.
The fountain should be back in operation by tonight, but that all depends on Otto, the Tropical Storm that is now a Hurricane. Marin said the impact of the storm would not damage the fountain, but cause an imbalance in the chemical composition of the water.
The fountain, that is illuminated at night and began operating on November 14, has quickly become a downtown attraction. It was incorporated in the restoration of the Plaza de la Cultura surface to prevent water leakage to the gold museum located below the plaza.
Central Bank authorities warned that the security officers will be keeping an eye on things around the close to ensure the proper use of the fountain and recommended:
- Children should not drink the water from the fountain, even though it is filtered and recirculated
- Parents are asked to not let their children urinate in the fountain
- Parents are also asked not let children in diapers play in the fountain
Source La Nacion
