Irrigation Canal Regulations
Introduction
With surface water resources of 20 billion m³ (BCM) per year, of which 12 BCM are groundwater recharge, the water resources of the Dominican Republic (DR) could be considered abundant. However, the irregular spatial and seasonal distribution, together with high consumption in irrigation and urban water supply, translate into water scarcity. Rapid economic growth and increased urbanization have also affected environmental quality and caused stress on the DR's water resource base. In addition, the DR is exposed to a series of natural risks, such as hurricanes, storms, floods, droughts, earthquakes and fires. Global climate change is expected to cause permanent climate shocks in the Caribbean region that will likely affect the DR in the form of rising sea levels, increases in atmospheric and sea surface temperatures, extreme weather events (such as hurricanes and tropical storms), increased intensity of precipitation (which will lead to more frequent and severe flooding), and the incidence of events such as "El Niño" with greater frequency and severity.[1].
The management of the country's water resources, especially the quality and quantity of water, as well as the management of hydrographic basins, is currently facing important challenges. Despite the lack of systematic data that limits an accurate and detailed assessment of the scope of the problems, there is consensus on the following aspects: 1) the overall low quality of surface, groundwater and coastal water resources is the result of a lack of management of wastewater and agricultural runoff, which causes health problems that disproportionately affect the poor; 2) water scarcity is a regional problem that causes a lack of demand management in irrigation, urban water supply and tourism infrastructure in drier regions; 3) insufficient watershed management leads to soil erosion and amplifies damage and frequency of flooding; and 4) the widespread lack of solid waste management causes water sources to be contaminated, diseases to spread, and inconvenience to residents and visitors.[2] The DR Government is in the process of reducing its role as a major investor in water resources infrastructure and as a service provider by delegating some responsibilities to local and regional governments, water user organizations, and private companies.