The Dominican Republic has Incorporated Standards of Safe Wastewater Reuse Into Discharge Regulations

By GIZ - To strengthen the framework for wastewater reuse in the Dominican Republic, GEF CReW+ followed a two-pronged approach: a study analyzing the legal and regulatory framework concerning water resources and sanitation was followed by the revision of the country’s discharge regulations. The study identified the urgent need to act regarding the country’s wastewater discharge regulations. It also revealed the absence of monitoring mechanisms in the agricultural, tourist, and industrial sectors. Through interviews, key stakeholders pointed out that the regulation should be revised to incorporate sludge management and requirements for wastewater reuse. The revision of discharge regulations was conducted through a committee of representatives from the main institutions involved in the management of water resources and sanitation in the country. The committee identified seven fields of application to be considered safe for reuse, including the irrigation of non-food crops and construction sites. For the first time, the Dominican Republic has regulatory parameters which ensure the safe reuse of wastewater. Of equally outstanding importance is the dialogue established between the institutions. The methodology and lessons learned in the Dominican Republic can in the future be transferred to other countries with similar regulatory frameworks.