The Santiago Aqueduct and Sewer Corporation (CORAASAN) and INAPA have completed the repair of the Sabana Iglesia breakdown, on a section of the 60-inch adduction line near La Zanja. Engineer Andrés Cueto, general director of CORAASAN, confirmed the restoration of service in record time, following 16 hours of concrete curing and technical testing. Pumping resumed on Tuesday night, progressively normalizing the supply.
Technical details of the intervention
The Bao counter-reservoir and the López intake capture raw water that flows toward the Cibao Central and La Dura de Moca aqueducts. These systems treat and distribute the resource to key communities. The line is operating at full capacity, moving 5 cubic meters per second, or about 115 million gallons per day. This capacity benefits more than 500,000 inhabitants in the northern region, according to historical CORAASAN data.
Impact on communities affected by the Sabana Iglesia breakdown
Benefited sectors and gradual recovery
Service is gradually returning to Puñal, Licey al Medio, Tamboril, much of Santiago de los Caballeros, and La Dura de Moca. The Sabana Iglesia breakdown temporarily interrupted the flow, but the quick response avoided prolonged crises. In previous contexts, similar breakdowns in 2024 affected 30% of the supply in Santiago, according to official reports, highlighting the vulnerability of aging infrastructure.
Andrés Cueto thanked President Luis Abinader, Vice President Raquel Peña, and INAPA for their support. He acknowledged the population’s patience and reiterated the commitment to improvements in drinking water and sanitation. Hydraulic experts point out that these rapid repairs reduce losses by 15%, aligned with national coverage goals of 90% by 2026.
Reconditioning and background
The intervened area is being reconditioned with the Ministry of Public Works for safe vehicular traffic. Historically, the Sabana Iglesia breakdown recalls failures in adduction lines due to wear and tear, common in systems from the 1980s. INAPA has invested DOP 500 million in 2025 for modernizations, preventing future interruptions.
- CORAASAN and INAPA coordinate to prevent recurrences.
- Normality in 24-48 hours for all sectors.
- Continuous monitoring ensures stability.
The successful resolution of the Sabana Iglesia breakdown reinforces the resilience of the supply in Santiago, prioritizing efficiency and institutional collaboration.