Chile deputies propose greater controls on water distribution

Chile deputies propose greater controls on water distribution
By Business News Americas staff reporter - Friday, September 27, 2013

Chile's lower house has received a proposal to modify the country's water code so as to give authorities greater control over how water resources are distributed, according to the lower house website.

Water is currently subject to market forces which have concentrated the resource in the hands of the energy, mining and export sectors, especially in parts of the country where water is scarce, to the detriment of the agricultural sector and the general population, said the authors of the bill, Roberto Delmastro, Marta Isasi, Denise Pascal, Alejandra Sepúlveda, Víctor Torres and Orlando Vargas.

In the country's mining regions, such as the Copiapó valley, mining accounts for 31% of water consumption and agriculture 53%, compared to a national average of 9% and 73%, respectively.

Awarding water rights at an exorbitant price without considering how or where the water will be used is absolutely legal. However, it seems at best questionable from an ethical point of view, as this type of water speculation increases the risk of basic human consumption needs, as well as agricultural needs, not being met, said the deputies.

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