Protection of Natural Resources to Address the Climate Crisis and Water Scarcity

Every day, the world is increasingly affected by climate conditions, which negatively impact the environment and contribute to its deterioration. In turn, the negative effects of the climate crisis continue to harm life on the planet.

We must implement techniques and measures that can mitigate the damage caused by climate change to water resources. Wastewater should always receive appropriate treatment that complies with each country’s current regulations before being discharged into bodies of water or reused.

In our case in the Dominican Republic, the province of Santiago de los Caballeros is home to a campus of the Autonomous University of Santo Domingo (UASD), a public institution. The UASD Santiago campus currently serves a significant student and staff population—approximately 12,063 students, 72% of whom are women and 28% men.

This campus has a wastewater treatment plant, which will be rehabilitated to improve wastewater management and enable its reuse for agricultural purposes. The implementation of the GEF CReW+ project has been a significant effort to combat the pollution generated by untreated wastewater discharges.

Through this project, we aim to foster an environmental culture focused on the protection of water resources and the proper management of wastewater. The goal is to restore added value to the environment and help reduce water stress in several regions of the country.

As an educational institution, the Autonomous University of Santo Domingo (UASD) will use this opportunity to educate its student body on the management, use, and reuse of water resources. This will help strengthen their knowledge and allow them to pass on a paradigm shift to future generations.

From my point of view, I believe this project will help solve a major problem at the Autonomous University of Santo Domingo. With the rehabilitation of this treatment plant, we will contribute to mitigating the negative impacts of wastewater discharges into water sources. We will promote a culture of reuse, supporting the continuous improvement of water resources.

We must care for and protect water every day, as many countries are already facing shortages due to water stress caused by climate change. "Living sustainably is the best way to protect the planet."

By María Altagracia De León Pepén, Project Coordinator, GEF CReW+ in the Dominican Republic.