Geologist and engineer Osiris de Leon, the head water researcher at the Inter-American Network of Academies of Science, said yesterday, Monday 11 March that the Dominican Republic is on the brink of a water crisis. He based his statements on the fact that the DR is a small island with a rapidly growing urban population that is increasing the demand for drinking water. However, the flow of surface water in the rivers is being reduced by deforestation and the neglect of the watersheds and environmental pollution from industrial, farming and tourist activities that convert the rivers and streams into sewers.
In addition to these issues, De Leon pointed out that some 50% of the water that is taken into the water systems does not reach the final consumers due to all the leaks in the water pipes and that 20% of the water that does reach the consumers is wasted due to the lack of a culture that places an emphasis on saving water. He pressed for the urgent identification of all of the possible water sources, both surface and underground, because if not, within a few years there could be some unmanageable social situations due to a lack of drinking water. He noted the issues of water in Villa Altagracia, Pedro Brand and Los Alcarrizos due to the high levels of pollution in the Haina River.