A pilot project carried out by local NGOs in nine communities has successfully demonstrated to the government how to transfer the operation and management of small rural water systems to local control. INAPA, the national potable water and sewage authority has completed this project which was partially financed by the US Agency for International Development (USAID).

The government has adopted the total community participation (administration model) which is supported by host country resources and other donor funding. According to an official from USAID, the European Union is currently funding an expansion of this model to 89 communities on the Dominican Republic/Haiti border.

While USAID has no more plans to further system construction in Hato Mayor, it will continue to train local NGOs involved in the project with health and hygiene issues, the official added.

Related news: Institutional reform: strengthening community management in the Dominican Republic, Source Weekly 10 Feb 2003

Web sites: Instituto Nacional de Aguas Potables y Alcantarillados (INAPA) ; Wikipedia: Water supply and sanitation in the Dominican Republic

Source: Michael Ford, BNamericas (subscription site), 16 Oct 2007

Tags: governance