Chile takes aim at illegal water extraction

Chile’s water management office DGA is planning new tools to fight illegal water extraction, as the agency acknowledged it doesn’t have enough staff monitor all water sources.

At the Water Congress 2019, organized by Gecamin, Queensland University‘s sustainable minerals institute, and the center for hydrological resources for mining and agriculture (CRHIAM) in Santiago, DGA head Óscar Cristi told BNamericas that his office doesn’t know exactly how much water is lost because of illegal extractions, as inspections occur and fines are issued only in response to individual complaints.

“We have more complaints and official inspections in the areas of Petorca and Aconcagua (Valparaíso region), following the reports of residents,” he said, adding that illegal extractions have been detected both in the agriculture and mining sector.

During his speech, Cristi said the DGA will add satellite monitoring to its inspection works to detect irregular variations and to complement the 5,000 physical inspections it carries out each year.

“There are 300,000 agriculture land plots in Chile, no army would be enough to inspect all of them,” he said.

He said the DGA will unveil its first remote sensing unit in the coming days, which will compare variations of water levels with water usage rights.

The official warned that water scarcity will become worse, as for next year over 100 areas will be classified as “prohibition areas,” meaning new water rights can’t be issued.