Public works committee calls for creation of national rural sanitation department - Chile

Chile's senate public works committee is calling for the creation of a national rural sanitation services department, the entity reported in a release.

The department would be an integral part of a bill, currently being debated, governing the provision of these services.

Currently, rural potable water systems (APRs) are run by local committees and the bill to regulate these services contemplates the creation of a sub-department dependent on the waterworks department. However, this is believed to be inadequate by the senate committee.

"We believe it is fundamental that the state has a solid structure to regulate, supervise and assist the more than 1,500 rural potable water committees that exist around the country," said senator Pablo Longueira, head of the public works committee.

The committees will not only be in charge of potable water, but also wastewater treatment. "Given the investments that will need to be made in technology and infrastructure, we believe the existence of a national department is important," Longueira said.

The bill under discussion aims to define a national policy for rural potable water supply and distribution and, when necessary, the collection, disposal and/or treatment of sewage.

Business News Americas

Print this
article