Chilean regulator sets date to vote on approving US$350mn water pipeline

Chile’s environmental evaluation service (SEA) will hold a final vote on approval for the Enapac north distribution pipeline on May 2, nearly two years after the US$350mn project was first submitted.

The initiative involves a 166km pipeline linking the planned Enapac desalination plant close to the city of Copiapó to a distribution area in Diego de Almagro municipality in the Atacama region of northern Chile.

The works include a pumping station at the plant’s main reservoir in the city of Copiapó, six emergency ponds, the main distribution station and one intermediate station, according to the environmental impact study (EIS) for the project. 

The Enapac plant, which received environmental approval back in 2018, is awaiting SEA approval for the north and east distribution pipelines (US$600mn, submitted last year) in order to begin construction.

This would be Latin America’s largest desalination plant, with a production capacity of 2,600l/s.