Chile's congress starts review of water department bill

The government-proposed creation of a water department as part of Chile’s public works ministry (MOP) is under analysis by the senate’s public works committee.

The department would control water regulator DGA and replace the waterworks agency (DOH) with a general waterworks division (DGOH), made up of water infrastructure (DIH) and rural potable water systems (DSRR) subdivisions.

Public works minister Alfredo Moreno told senators that investment in rural water systems has tripled over the last two years, justifying the creation of a dedicated entity.

This entity would also handle wastewater works, as many communities still lack sewerage access, Moreno said.

Another aspect of the bill is the creation of an expert panel to advise the water department divisions, a ministerial water resources committee led by MOP that includes the ministers for environment (MMA), agriculture, energy, mining, economy, finance and social development. The body should draft a 10-year water plan, to be updated every two years.

Alejandro Guillier, senator for Antofagasta region, asked Moreno to provide details in a future session on how the department would handle desalination plants and the extent it is accountable to governors. 

Meanwhile, committee head and senator for Los Ríos region, Alfonso de Urresti, asked Moreno to clarify how the proposed department will incorporate the climate change bill that is also under review by the senate.

The bill defines a 2050 carbon neutrality goal. Debate is being prolonged because it received over 800 comments.