Untreated sewage creates sanitation crisis in Dominican Republic housing project

A growing sanitation crisis is plaguing residents of Ciudad Real II, a private residential complex housing approximately 20,000 people. Untreated sewage and human excrement flow through open channels near their homes, creating unbearable odors and unsanitary conditions. The problem stems from the lack of an adequate sanitary drainage system, causing waste to be discharged into nearby waterways that eventually lead to the Isabela River.

This dire situation is not isolated to Ciudad Real II. Similar issues are reported in other residential areas across the Greater Santo Domingo, including Carmen María I and II, Altos de Colombia, Carmen Renata, and Prados de San Luis. The common thread is the failure of the region's wastewater treatment infrastructure.

According to data from the Santo Domingo Aqueduct and Sewerage Corporation (Caasd), the entity manages 19 wastewater treatment plants. However, a recent investigation revealed that only seven of these plants are operational, with some functioning only partially. The remaining 12 plants are completely out of service. This widespread inoperability means that the vast majority of wastewater generated by the approximately 3.7 million inhabitants of the Greater Santo Domingo is not being treated, leading to severe environmental and public health consequences.