The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is recommending the reconstruction of the country’s drinking water system to improve its quality.
In its report “Critical Points for the Vulnerability and Climate Change in the Dominican Republic” USAID reveals that 90% of household water is not fit for human consumption, and suggests that the government should install new integrated management systems at the water sources and involve the local population.
The experts also advise that there should be a revision of how water is distributed and reduce the use of agricultural chemicals.
The report highlights that 90.94% of Dominican households do not receive water on a regular basis inside the home and only 11 provinces have provision for water storage.
Water treatment expert Jacinto Gerda said that more than 80% of the water sources in the Dominican Republic are contaminated due to the garbage people threw into them, and also that the rivers are used as public toilets due to the lack of an efficient sanitary system in the country.
He warned that the country was behind the times in treating drinking water, as there was no proper chlorinating system.
www.elnacional.com.do/nacional/2013/8/21/169969/Advierten-agua-RD-no-esapta-para-consumo