Aguas Andinas aims to 'reconfigure' Santiago water network to reduce losses

Chilean water utility Aguas Andinas is aiming to reduce losses in its distribution network, which covers most of the Santiago metropolitan region, by “reconfiguring” 14,000km of pipelines, according to the firm’s planning manager Edson Landeros.

“[Aguas Andinas] has been trying to tackle the issue of water losses through different means for over 10 years,” Landeros said when answering a question from BNamericas during a web conference on water management held by the Adolfo Ibáñez university.

He said that regulator SISS estimates that around 33% of potable water in the utilities sector is not billed, whether due to pipeline leaks, measurement errors or fraud. 

“A plan to reconfigure our entire distribution network through a sectionalization methodology has grown out over the past two or three years,” Landeros said, adding that this would involve making measurements in smaller territorial units to obtain more precise data on the nature of the losses and how they can be addressed. 

“Repairs are also complex. You have to close streets and get permission from municipalities,” the manager said. 

Aguas Andinas plans to spend US$1bn by 2030 to improve its water systems in the face of climate change and lower water availability. This includes actions such as identifying new sources, strengthening infrastructure resilience and drafting plans to promote responsible water consumption.