Santo Domingo.- The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) on Tuesday recommended restructuring the country’s water systems to improve quality, because in its view, what reaches households isn’t suitable for consumption.
In its report "Critical points for the vulnerability and climate change in Dominican Republic," the USAID reveals that since over 90% of the water supplied to households isn’t suitable, the Government should install integrated water source management plants and engage local populations.
It also recommends a review of the water delivery systems, reduce the use of agrochemicals and restructure distribution systems.
The USAID notes that 90.94% of Dominican households have no regular supply of safe drinking water and only 11 provinces have stored water supply systems.
Tainted
Commenting on the USAID report, water treatment expert Jacinto Gerda revealed that more than 80% of Dominican Republic’s aquifers are polluted by dumped waste. "One of the major water purification problems is the high pollution of supply sources, because as the result of deficient sanitary systems, the rivers have become sewage dumps."