ACCIONA’s foundation, acciona.org, alongside Centro Arcoíris, has launched a water and sanitation initiative benefitting over 4,500 people in San Cristóbal, Dominican Republic. The project will include wastewater treatment facilities and improvements to household water access and sanitation. It aims to ensure long-term maintenance through community involvement and follows ACCIONA’s earlier electrification project in Elías Piña province.
ACCIONA’s corporate foundation, acciona.org, in collaboration with the non-profit Centro Arcoíris, has initiated a significant water and sanitation project in San Cristóbal province, Dominican Republic. This initiative aims to enhance the living conditions of over 4,500 residents from the neighborhoods of Bella Vista and Villa Penca in the Bajos De Haina municipality. The project is partially funded by the Spanish Agency for Development Cooperation (AECID).
This comprehensive project integrates both community and individual solutions to support the Dominican government’s efforts in upgrading the water and sanitation infrastructure. Six wastewater treatment facilities will be constructed to cater to 100 households. Additionally, urban redevelopment efforts will introduce drainage systems, thus alleviating flooding and water pollution issues within the community.
On a household level, installations will include improved drinking water pipes for 100 homes and the addition of flushing toilets in 30 residences. To ensure the efficient management and sustainability of these services, a participatory management model will be implemented. This will involve the establishment of a technical committee composed of local residents responsible for monitoring water efficiency and quality.
Prior to the project’s initiation, surveys indicated that 69% of households in Villa Penca reported a lack of drinking water, with 20% facing sanitation issues. In Bella Vista, 28% lacked access to potable water and 19% needed sanitation support. The project will augment INAPA’s ongoing investments in the municipality and aims to set groundwork for addressing future challenges in water distribution and wastewater management.
This initiative follows acciona.org’s earlier venture in the Dominican Republic, launched this year, focusing on rural electrification in Elías Piña province. The Light at Home program has successfully brought electricity to 90 households in the challenging terrains of Hondo Valle and El Llano, benefiting approximately 360 individuals.
Centro Arcoíris has executed over 70 projects across the nation, concentrating on comprehensive development initiatives in Haina. Their collaborative efforts with ACCIONA have already aided more than 200 families in Villa Penca and Bella Vista through enhanced sanitation and flood risk mitigation, alongside conducting research on sustainable solutions to related community challenges.
In summary, the collaboration between ACCIONA’s corporate foundation, acciona.org, and Centro Arcoíris marks a significant advancement in improving water and sanitation access for thousands in the Dominican Republic. This project not only provides immediate infrastructure improvements but also ensures sustainable management through local community involvement and oversight. The groundwork laid down through this initiative may pave the way for future enhancements in regional water distribution and sanitation facilities.
Original Source: www.acciona.com
