Chile unveils water plan for drought-stricken province

Chile's public works undersecretary Lucas Palacios unveiled a 28-point plan to improve water management in Petorca province in Valparaíso region, which has been hit hard by the ongoing drought in central Chile.

The Agua Para Petorca program includes investment of 15.6bn pesos (US$23mn) to improve rural potable water systems, including reinforcing existing infrastructure and carrying out studies to find new water sources.

Other measures will be focused on inspections, water management, self-regulation and reinforcing the role of water user organizations.

"There hasn't just been a shortage of water in this area for many years, but also a lack of the state's presence and many times a lack of rule of law. Therefore we're starting with massive inspections, in order to put the house in order," Palacios said in a public works ministry (MOP) press release.

Petorca province is also expected to benefit from construction of the Las Palmas reservoir. The US$159mn project was awarded to China Harbour Engineering (CHEC) under a concession and entails a dam with capacity for 55Mm3 of water, which will help irrigate 2,859ha of land. Construction, however, is not expected to begin until 2020.