The Dominican Republic`s national water authority, Inapa, plans to tender a US$160mn potable water and sanitation program along the country`s north-south border, said Inapa director Alberto Holguín during a press conference. The new project "will resolve the problems of access to potable water and sanitation in the region, with residents able to access the services 24 hours a day, 365 days a year," said Holguín. Inapa plans to tender the project in April. Other key projects include the US$85mn water pipeline in Hermanas Mirabal province, close to completion, the Higüey and Peravia water pipelines currently under construction and the Bávaro water pipeline in Punta Cana that is in the study phase, said the director. Since the start of President Danilo Medina`s term, Inapa has improved some 315 water pipelines and built 200 water distribution units across the country. Santo Domingo water utility Caasd plans to roll out the first phase of its drainage and sanitation master plan this year, with an initial investment of $mn pesos (US$4.15mn), said Caasd director Alejandro Montás. Just 5% of wastewater in the capital feeds into the drainage system, with the remainder discharged into the ground, resulting in the contamination of groundwater sources, said the director. Caasd plans to build various wastewater treatment plants in the capital and rehabilitate a further 12 as part of the first phase of works, said Montás.