Residents of Sánchez Ramírez province in the Dominican Republic are escalating demands for governmental intervention amid growing fears of severe contamination at the Hatillo Dam, the largest freshwater reservoir in the Greater Antilles. For over a month, communities surrounding the critical water source have observed alarming environmental changes, including a persistent and intensifying greenish discoloration of the water, which they believe signals a dire threat to public health and local ecosystems.
Despite official statements from the Ministry of Environment in December 2025 attributing the discoloration to a naturally occurring algae bloom, local citizens remain deeply skeptical. In a significant development, community representatives have procured independent laboratory analyses that reportedly contradict the government’s findings. These tests allegedly identified dangerous bacterial contaminants, including coliforms, Pseudomonas, and fecal streptococci, alongside heightened chemical concentrations of cyanide and phosphates.
The situation has generated widespread concern due to the reservoir’s vital role in supporting local livelihoods. Thousands depend on its waters for fishing, agricultural irrigation, and daily household use. Residents have reported foul odors emanating from the water and voiced particular alarm about vulnerabilities for children, the elderly, and farming communities whose economic stability is directly tied to the reservoir’s health.
Calls for action are now focused on demanding that environmental and public health authorities initiate transparent, independent monitoring of the water quality and publicly disclose all findings. Community leaders are urging the implementation of immediate mitigation measures to safeguard the population and the ecosystem, vowing to sustain pressure until a conclusive resolution and tangible protective actions are provided to address what they deem an escalating public health crisis.