The director of the Santo Domingo Water Corporation (CAASD), engineer Julio Suero Marranzini said that Dominicans consume 30 cubic meters per day, much more than average of 17 cubic meters in other countries, and more than that used by the tourists that visit. He said the problem is that Dominicans have been careless in their use of the resource, and do not repair the leaks that cause water to be wasted. Suero said that the aqueduct under construction in eastern Santo Domingo should be in operation in another year’s time, supplying more than seven million gallons of water a day. He said that the government is investing RD$90 million to rehabilitate the aqueducts and Haina-Manoguayabo potable water source. He also commented that efforts in place have resulted in an increase in the potable quality of water from 70% to 81.4%, and that he expects to raise this index to 100%. Suero highlighted the importance of the Núñez de Cáceres drainage project. He also urged that Congress study the bill to Reform and Modernize the Potable Water Sector in the DR, for which the World Bank would grant US$4.6 million to carry out a Master Plan for the Sewage System of Santo Domingo. Suero says there are 400,000 users in Santo Domingo, of which only 50% have registered contracts with the CAASD. He said that the CAASD is billing RD$38,539,000 but only collecting RD$22 million, which affects plans to improve the service.
