II Congress Expo Agua Santiago: It is urgent to promote alliances and collaborations to face water scarcity

Despite the rains recorded last winter in the country, the serious situation of water scarcity continues. In fact, to date, Chile still registers more than a 30% rainfall deficit.

Although there is no deep, generalized and transversal understanding of this reality, it is possible to recognize a greater state of awareness about the role that each one of us plays in terms of facing this scenario. “From citizens to companies, we have begun to reduce, or offset, the consumption of water that we use in our homes and in production processes. Even the State has recognized the role it must play in active and effective governance and oversight of the use of water resources,” says Claudia Papic, general manager of the Santiago-Maipo Water Fund.

However, this is not enough. “There is still a long way to go in the collaboration, coordination and articulation of the efforts that are being implemented today. There is little collaboration, little alliance and little support for collective initiatives. In general, what we see are isolated and individual efforts and, therefore, less effective and sustainable”, adds Papic.

To face this scenario and to be able to generate an instance of collaboration and dialogue, the II EXPO AGUA SANTIAGO CONGRESS will be held. Organized by Interexpo and the Santiago-Maipo Water Fund, in collaboration with Fira de Barcelona and I Water, the meeting will take place on October 13 at Centro Parque.

But the solutions do not only go through the management of current resources, and, is that "in order to harmonize the scarcity of the resource with the increase in population and demand forecast for the coming decades, it is imperative to develop alternative sources of water", assured the academic director of the Water Economy Forum, Estanislao Arana.

In its second version, the meeting will also feature the outstanding participation of Alain Gachet, a French physicist and geologist and inventor of an algorithm that allows satellites to detect underground water sources. During his presentation -on the opening day- Gachet will talk about the effects of climate change and the possibilities of using groundwater as a solution to the scarcity in communities that are particularly affected.

His work and research in recent decades has earned him international recognition such as the Chavallier medal of the French Legion of Honor and a space in the hall of fame of NASA and the Space Foundation of the United States.

Together with him, professionals from the areas of hydrology, engineering, research and development, laboratories, NGOs, the agricultural sector, municipalities and the public sector in general, among others, will conduct interesting conversations and exhibit initiatives, solutions and technologies related to water, transforming the II EXPO AGUA SANTIAGO CONGRESS into the main meeting to advance water security in Chile.

In parallel, the XV FORUM ON THE ECONOMICS OF WATER will be held, a meeting with a recognized international trajectory. For the academic director of the Water Economy Forum, Estanislao Arana, it is urgent to "find alternative solutions focused on efficiency throughout the entire water cycle and on the prioritization of uses." To achieve this ambitious goal, Arana pointed to technology and the exchange of knowledge; with special emphasis on achieving the sixth sustainable development goal of the 2030 Agenda and ensuring the supply of this vital liquid for the entire world population.

More information at https://www.expoaguasantiago.cl/

This press release was translated into English using an automatic translation system.