DR1 Daily News - Dominican Republic

A five-foot water pipe leading to the filtering and distribution station of La Noriega that serves the Santiago Water and Sewer Corporation (Coraasan) as well as the Dura Moca water treatment plant in Moca, exploded in the hamlet of La Zanja in the municipality of Sabana Iglesia in Santiago province.

The massive break partially destroyed or damaged at least four houses in the area, cut off ground communications in the immediate area, and knocked out the water supply for the Central Cibao System that supplies water to Moca, Tamboril and Santiago de los Caballeros.

The break happened near noon on Christmas Day. There were no human injuries or fatalities. Authorities immediately declared the area to be a disaster zone and heavy equipment and technicians were on the scene in the shortest of time.

Close to a million people were left without water. Coraasan has...