During this first training, key concepts of the circular economy applied to the water cycle were discussed, highlighting wastewater treatment as a key source for generating energy and reducing environmental impact. Silvia Saravia Matus, Economic Affairs Officer in charge of water issues at ECLAC, introduced the topic by highlighting the importance of applying these principles in countries such as the Dominican Republic to ensure the sustainability of water resources.
One of the central focuses was the recovery of methane in small and medium-scale wastewater treatment plants. ECLAC´s Water Experts such as Diego Fernández and Pedro Chavarro presented practical cases of how methane recovery can not only reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but also generate energy that allows the plants to sustain themselves. Examples of plants in Mexico and El Salvador were analyzed, demonstrating that, even in lower-capacity facilities, this practice is financially viable and environmentally beneficial. The experts complemented the information with an overview of financing options for national methane reduction programs.
The event also included the participation of the National Institute of Water Resources (INDRHI in Spanish) of the Dominican Republic, whose director, Juan Saldaña, emphasized the importance of adapting these strategies to the local context, especially in rural areas where access to water and sanitation services is more limited. The regulatory challenges facing the country in implementing the circular economy in the water sector were also discussed, and the need for legislation to facilitate the adoption of these technologies was highlighted.
The training concluded with a clear call to adopt the circular economy as an integral part of drinking water and sanitation management in the Dominican Republic. Participants agreed on the urgency of implementing policies that favor the use of by-products, such as methane, to make plants more efficient and sustainable. The event underlined the need to continue working on training and local capacity development to ensure that the principles of the circular economy become a practical reality in the country.
