Environment Ministry and CAASD Celebrate International Water Day with Call To Save Water

In recognition of Sunday´s celebration of International Water Day, the Director of the Aqueduct and Sewer Systems of Santo Domingo (CAASD) Ramón Rivas, announced that this institution will invest 3 percent of its budget each year in construction projects that will help maintain the water basins of the rivers that feed its production system.

“This is a demonstration of commitment to protect Santo Domingo´s main sources and supply of drinking water,”

Rivas made the announcement at a CAASD-sponsored event held in recognition of the International Water Day which was also attended by Environment Minister Jaime David Fernández Mirabal. The event was held near the irrigation channel of the Isa River where, in 1927, the first aqueduct of Santo Domingo was formed, according to the Presidential Office of Information, Press and Publicity.

“This is a demonstration of commitment to protect Santo Domingo´s main sources and supply of drinking water,” said the official.

The director of the CAASD expressed appreciation for the support from the Ministry of Environment in its efforts to reforest river basins like the Isa River which overflows every time it rains.

He recalled that in 1946 when the Isa River channel was being formed, a pumping station was built to increase the system of water flowing from the Mana stream which formed the Isa-Mana system and that ultimately provided water for more than 25 sectors, mainly those located in Los Alcarrizos and Pedro Brand.

He explained that this system´s full capacity produces nearly 15.20 million gallons of water per day.

Jaime David Fernández Mirabal, underscoring the importance of water, exhorted people to think about it and to make an effort to conserve and to use this precious resource wisely.

Fernández Mirabal recognized the effort and vision of the CAASD director for his initiative to celebrate International Water Day in this place along the Isa River .

Throughout the activity, messages were read from people including President Leonel Fernández and Ban Ki-Moon, Secretary General of the United Nations (UN).

The 1993 UN resolution was read. The resolution declares March 22 as International Water Day.

Others attending the activity included the deputy Environment Minister, Ernesto Reyna; the Director of the Botanic Garden, Ricardo García and a student from the Technical High School of the CAASD, Osvaldo B. Báez as well as from El Sidral School. The students gave the Environment Minister a basket of fruit. They said the fruit was grown in the communities with such names as mandarin, zopote and cocoa, among others.