Antofagasta will become the first city in Chile — and all of Latin America — with over 500,000 inhabitants to be supplied entirely with seawater, following the expansion of its Northern Desalination Plant. The Government of Chile has announced the $130 million project, led by water utility Aguas Antofagasta, will also provide 100% desalinated water to the nearby city of Mejillones.
Public Works Minister Jessica López hailed the milestone as a vital response to Chile’s prolonged megadrought. “Great news for northern Chile. As of today, Antofagasta will be the first Latin American city with over 500,000 inhabitants to be supplied 100% with desalinated water. In this way, we are addressing the megadrought by putting families at the centre,” said López at the project’s launch.
The expansion increases the plant’s production capacity to 1,436 litres per second, ensuring a continuous, high-quality drinking water supply for both cities without reliance on traditional freshwater sources. “It is a source of pride and joy to launch the expansion of this desalination plant,” Minister López added. “Desalination is a concrete response to the drought our country is experiencing in the north.”
Desalination in the Antofagasta Region began in 2003, when the Northern Desalination Plant opened and supplied just 15% of the city’s water needs. Over the years, it has evolved into a cornerstone of water resilience in a region increasingly vulnerable to water scarcity.
The project is part of a broader national strategy to expand water access in drought-prone areas. López also noted the upcoming $350 million tender for a new desalination plant in Coquimbo as part of Chile’s continued investment in alternative water sources.
This achievement positions Chile as a leader in sustainable urban water supply in Latin America.
