Dominican Rep plans Santo Domingo water projects

The CEO of Santo Domingo water utility (CAASD), Felipe Suberví, announced a series of projects to solve water shortages and lack of sewers in the Dominican Republic’s capital. 

According to daily El Caribe, during a TV interview Suberví said the list includes the construction of a key reservoir project.

“One of the commitments requested by President [Luis Abinader] is to carry out water reservoir projects. The Hatillo dam is key,” he reportedly said. “We are planning to install approximately 66km of pipes, which will allow the transfer of up to 10m3/s of water.”

Suberví added that this would mean close to 50% of the current water production for the city, “improving water storage significantly and guaranteeing a continuous and stable flow.”

Another priority for CAASD is construction of the Haina dam, also known as La Madrigal, which is a long-term water storage project. 

“We are working on a design adjusted to the current and future needs of the city. Haina dam is foreseen as a crucial infrastructure [project] to ensure water supply in the long term,” said the head of CAASD. 

The Don Juan dam, which would be in Monte Plata municipality, is also included in the utility's list of projects. 

Another aspect is the ongoing replacement of water pipes, some of which are close to 100 years old and sometimes leak.

“We are in the process of substituting those obsolete pipes and we have installed networks in more than 105 sectors that did not have adequate supply,” he said. “Our objective in these four years is to finish the water network of Greater Santo Domingo.”

Another project is a sewage plan that includes the construction of tunnels. 

“This is an expensive project, with an investment of close to US$350mn for the first stage. It includes Luperón [municipality] and will connect existing tunnels with new ones, which will require the adaptation of urban infrastructure,” Suberví said.