Relentless drought means water rationing

Santo Domingo.- If the current the drought parching the country continues, the water supply already in crisis will get even more severe for Greater Santo Domingo’s population.

The dire warning came Wed. from Santo Domingo Water Utility (Caasd) director Alejandro Montas, who called worrisome the situation of the major dams that supply water, since they operate at just 3 and 11 per cent of their capacity.

He said if the situation continues, the Utility will have to readjust the distribution of piped water, reducing the number of days and hours for service in all sectors of the National District and Santo Domingo province.

Montas said his agency spends RD$234,000 daily to rent tank trucks to distribute to people and sectors that request it, free of charge.

He said all water deliveries will be monitored "tank by tank, bucket by bucket, and gallon by gallon in the most affected areas," as well as the filling of the trucks to public hospitals, prisons, schools, law enforcement agencies and households that can store water.

Improvement

Dams and Aqueducts Agency (Indrhi) director Olgo Fernández said despite reduced levels, conditions in some dams could improve in the coming days with the rains forecasted over several regions.