250,000 in Santiago Face Water Shortage Due to Canal Repairs

Santiago, Dominican Republic, faces a temporary water shortage affecting 250,000 people due to necessary repairs on key irrigation canals. The Ulises Francisco Espaillat and Monsieur Bogaert canals are being closed for four days, from Monday at 6 pm to Thursday at 6 pm, for essential maintenance. Rafael Romero, the regional director of the National Institute of Hydraulic Resources (Indrhi) in Santiago, explained the situation to CDN, stating, "The work seeks to improve the water service in the agricultural and urban areas that depend on these canals." The temporary closure will impact water supply to several aqueducts, including Cienfuegos, La Canela, and Villa Gonzalez 1 and 2, resulting in an estimated 31 million gallons of daily water deficit. To mitigate the impact, CORAASAN will distribute potable water using trucks. Romero also urged the public to conserve water and store supplies in anticipation of the disruption. The repairs are crucial for the long-term health of the irrigation system, benefitting both agricultural and urban areas of Santiago.