Incredible as it may seem, the National Water and Sewerage Institute (INAPA) is reporting that 60% of the water produced by the nation’s aqueducts is lost either through broken pipes or careless waste by consumers. INAPA director Alberto Holguin says that only 14 of the country’s 56 purification plants are working, 20 are being repaired and the rest are out of service. He said that the government is spending US$5 million on improving the coverage of treated water. He also said that billions are being invested in sewers and sewage treatment centers in places like San Cristobal, Azua, Neiba and Villa Vasquez. In a press release, the INAPA director said that 45% of the water agency investments are going towards sewers while back in 2012 only 5% was spent on sewers. The current water crisis is the worst since 1997, and citizens are being urged to conserve.