Water scarcity and socio-sanitary impacts in Chile. The case of the commune of Monte Patria

Abstract

Introduction: Chile’s water governance model, established under the 1981 Water Code, has enabled the expansion of agribusiness by allowing large agricultural landowners to accumulate Water Use Rights. Objective: against this backdrop, this article analyzes the hydrosocial production of water scarcity and its impact on access to drinking water in rural Chile, considering the effects of the global climate crisis. It seeks to understand the socio-health consequences of this scarcity in territories pressured by agroindustrial production, focusing on the experiences of affected communities. Methodology: using a qualitative methodology, the study reveals that prolonged declines in rainfall and the concentration of water rights in the hands of large agroindustrial corporations are key drivers of water scarcity. Conclusions: this has led to a drinking water shortage, exposing residents to risks of infectious diseases and persistent water insecurity, particularly among vulnerable populations such as older women. The study underscores the need to address water scarcity through the lens of power dynamics and water governance, concluding that qualitative approaches are essential to confronting the challenges faced by rural communities in Chile.