According to National Hydraulic Resources Institute (INDRHI) director Olgo Fernandez, the rains that accompanied tropical storm Erika have allowed farm irrigation to be increased from three to five days a week in some of the most affected regions.
According to Listin Diario, the National Water Watch group reported that the improvements in water levels in the Valdesia, Jiguey and Aguacate reservoirs as a result of the storm would allow farms within the Ozama-Nizao system to increase their use from three to five days of water a week.
Fernandez said that the rains contributed by the tropical storm were significant and they increased the water reserves within the watersheds of these dams. Farmers in the provinces of Peravia (Bani) and San Cristobal, where mostly fruit and vegetables are produced, will benefit.
He also said that water for human consumption was available 24 hours a day.
Fernandez added that the forecasts for more rain, if accurate, would improve the levels of the reservoirs and lead to further reductions in the water restrictions imposed on the farming sector.
The meeting of the National Water Roundtable was attended by representatives of the Santo Domingo Water and Sewer Corporation (CAASD), the Dominican Hydroelectric Generating Corporation (EGEHID), the National Water and Sewers Institute (INAPA), the Ministry of Defense, the National Meteorological Office (Onamet) and the Santiago Aqueduct and Sewer Corporation (Coraasan).