The Costa Rica water authority says it will build a new aqueduct in the Caribbean slope town of Cairo de Siquirres, where residents have depended on water trucks since tests found traces of herbicides in the groundwater there two years ago.

“This project will put an end to the drinking water supply problem suffered by communities in Cairo, La Francia and Luisiana due to water pollution,” said Ricardo Sancho, president of the Water and Sewer Institute (AyA), according to a press release.

The aqueduct is also meant to supply communities in El Peje, 3 y 4 Millas, El Silencio and Bella Vista, he added.

The project is set to cost ¢700 million ($1.2 million) and could be finished by the end of 2009, the release said.