Chile has officially launched its first Basin Authority, focusing on the Maipo River Basin. This organization is the result of a collaborative effort of almost a year, with the active participation of 27 organizations from different fields, including the public, private and civil society sectors.
This project, promoted by the Government of Santiago and with the advice of Fundación Chile's initiative “Escenarios Hídricos 2030”, is a crucial response to the severe water crisis facing the country, especially in the Metropolitan Region. The process of creating the authority included workshops, bilateral meetings, and the active participation of representatives from different sectors to lay the foundations for this new governance model.
The governor of Santiago, Claudio Orrego, highlighted the urgency of integrated water resources management and the importance of this authority for Santiago's water security. Orrego emphasized that the creation of the organization is fundamental, as the basin cannot continue to be managed on a piecemeal basis.
The Maipo River Basin Authority seeks to develop efficient water governance, strengthening participation and coordination among key stakeholders, and building on local knowledge and experience to plan and implement sustainable solutions to reverse water scarcity. The proposal is aligned with current legislation and seeks to improve coordination and implementation of consensus-based water measures.
The initiative also represents a model for the establishment of other river basin authorities in the country, especially in a context where water availability is increasingly limited.
