Nosara serves as a perfect example of planned growth that is the model for development in other areas of Costa Rica. A civic association was established to jealously guard the interests of the people in the zone as well as the environment. As a result Nosara enjoys the cleanest water table in Costa Rica, clean ocean water with no dumping of gray or black water into the streams or beaches (sad to say only a few parts of Costa Rica can boast this claim), regularly schedules refuse collection, and excellent health and educational services for the townspeople.