Chile approves groundwater regulations

Chile has approved groundwater exploration and extraction regulations.

In a release, the government said the provisions include standards to provide both technical and legal security to users, as well as outline the requirements for sustainable infiltration projects.

Previously groundwater oversight relied on resolutions in the water code, which were often inconsistent.

New regulations will clarify requirements for forming groundwater boards, procuring exploration permits and obtaining rights to use groundwater and change water intakes.

The new rules also lay out requirements for approving the artificial recharge of aquifers and a constitution of rights for provisional water use.

The regulation also outlines the provisions and procedures that the public works ministry's water department DGA will use to define areas where groundwater use will be prohibited.