The Natural Resources Division of the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) carried out a technical assistance and training mission in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, on March 17 and 18, 2025. The mission was conducted in collaboration with the National Institute of Hydraulic Resources (INDRHI) and included the participation of representatives from the water sector across various national institutions.

This initiative aimed to strengthen local capacities in implementing a circular economy approach in the drinking water and sanitation sector, with particular focus on the capture and valorization of methane in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). With the participation of both national and international experts, the mission addressed strategies for emission reduction, the financial feasibility of energy recovery projects, and investment opportunities in sustainable water infrastructure.

The inaugural session featured welcome remarks from Ms. Julia Sánchez, Resident Coordinator of the United Nations System in the Dominican Republic; Mr. Olmedo Caba Romano, Executive Director of the National Institute of Hydraulic Resources (INDRHI); and Ms. Rayén Quiroga, Head of the Water and Biodiversity Unit of the Natural Resources Division of ECLAC. All three emphasized the importance of promoting innovative approaches such as the circular economy in the drinking water and sanitation sector, as well as the value of regional technical cooperation in strengthening national capacities to address the challenges of climate change and water sustainability.

A variety of training sessions, practical exercises, and a technical field visit to an operational treatment plant were conducted in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, on March 17 and 18, 2025. The sessions were actively attended by 60 participants from different institutions involved in water management at the national level.

The substantive content of the mission began with an introduction to the context of ECLAC’s ROSA Project (Network and Observatory for Water Sustainability), highlighting the importance of methane recovery in the water sector. The ECLAC team then presented the principles of the circular economy applied to sanitation, noting that methane has a climate impact up to 84 times greater than carbon dioxide over a 20-year period. The importance of capturing methane and using it as a source of renewable energy was emphasized — not only as a way to reduce emissions but also as a significant economic opportunity for the sector.

Participants also received training on methodologies for estimating the energy potential of methane in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). A highlight was the introduction of a tool called the “Methane Calculator”, developed by the Water Resources team at ECLAC’s Natural Resources Division. This computational application is designed for ease of use and is intended to evaluate and measure biogas generation across different treatment configurations, particularly for WWTPs. As part of applying this methodology, anaerobic degradation processes were analyzed, and methane emissions were calculated based on plant type and installed capacity using various scenarios. The session allowed participants to become familiar with the tool, perform technical calculations, and understand the importance of biogas recovery as part of a sustainability strategy for wastewater treatment plants.

The knowledge gained was immediately applied in a practical group exercise focused on selected WWTPs in the country. Participants, organized into working groups, estimated methane emissions and calculated the potential for electricity generation from captured biogas. This exercise helped identify areas for improvement and demonstrated the benefits of incorporating recovery technologies into wastewater management systems.

Moreover, it was clearly demonstrated that the tool developed by the Natural Resources Division is user-friendly and practical for both technical staff and authorities responsible for managing and operating wastewater treatment plants. This reinforces the value of making the Methane Calculator available on ECLAC’s website as a lasting legacy of the tools developed through the ROSA project.

Another key aspect of the activity was the financial evaluation of investing in methane recovery infrastructure. The associated costs of implementing these systems and their long-term economic benefits were analyzed. Different financing approaches were discussed, including sustainable investment schemes and access to international climate funds. Results showed that methane recovery projects have high profitability, with relatively short payback periods, further supporting their viability as a strategic alternative for the sector in the short and medium term.

The second day, March 18, was dedicated to a technical field visit to the operational “Jardines del Norte” WWTP in Santo Domingo. Participants observed the treatment processes and discussed possible improvements in methane capture and biogas utilization, thanks to explanations provided by INDRHI officials, plant operators, and ECLAC staff.

The day continued with presentations of international experiences, notably the case of the Metapán WWTP in El Salvador, where technical representatives and local authorities presented how implementing a methane recovery system significantly reduced emissions and generated substantial operational savings. This case illustrated the broad work ECLAC has been carrying out not only in Metapán, but also in several other countries across the region such as the Plurinational State of Bolivia, Colombia, Costa Rica, and Mexico.

Regulatory challenges in other countries of the region were also discussed, with a detailed analysis of the Colombian case presented by the ECLAC team. They highlighted regulatory barriers that hinder the adoption of such systems and emphasized the need to strengthen institutional frameworks to encourage a shift toward circular economy models in the water sector.

The final reflections helped consolidate the lessons learned and outline next steps for implementing these strategies in the Dominican Republic, as well as underscore the importance of cooperation and sharing experiences with other countries — as demonstrated by ECLAC’s work and engagement in El Salvador and Colombia.

The closing session reaffirmed the commitment of participants to adopt innovative solutions for methane recovery and optimize wastewater treatment. The technical assistance provided by ECLAC in collaboration with INDRHI helped strengthen capacities and foster constructive dialogue among key water sector stakeholders, laying the groundwork for sustainable projects that contribute to both climate change mitigation and enhanced water security in the country — as ECLAC continues to do across the region.