At a ceremony held in the Botanical Gardens on Saturday 5 October to celebrate National Water Day, attended by representatives of the Ministry of Public Health, the National Institute of Drinking Water and Sewers (INAPA), the Santo Domingo Aqueduct and Sewage Corporation (CAASD) and others, it was announced that the rules would be strengthened so that quality water could be supplied to urban and rural communities using Water Vigilance (MSP-VIGILA) and Monitoring of Drinking Water (SISMOPA) systems.
The Minister of Public Health, Freddy Hidalgo, said that these systems would allow the authorities to obtain rapid results and enable them to establish the pollution levels in water throughout the country.
Additionally, he said these systems would be geographical so that all the country’s aqueducts could be checked for microorganisms, chlorine levels and other water quality indicators.
INAPA executive director Alberto Holguin confirmed that they had to solve the water problems and educate people. He went on to say that the system, which is already being used in the provinces of San Juan, Elias Pina and Samana, would be extended throughout the country.
He said that SISMOPA, the system for measuring drinking water quality, would enable them to check everything about the water itself and the suppliers.
CAASD executive director Alejandro Montas called on the public to respect and conserve water.
Also present at the ceremony was Dr. Lilian Reneau, representing the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO/WHO). She reiterated PAHO’s promise to continue supporting the country until the population had a quality and efficient water service.
Inapa pone en marcha sistema de vigilancia y de monitoreo de calidad del agua