Thesis Diseño de acuerdos de redistribución de aguas por escasez hídrica: cuenca Río Elqui, Coquimbo
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Date
2024-09
Authors
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Journal ISSN
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Program
Magíster en Gestión del Agua – Master of Water Management
Campus
Campus Santiago Vitacura
Abstract
En el contexto de escasez hídrica en Chile, la normativa vigente establecida en el Código de Aguas fue modificada en abril del año 2022, incorporando conceptos como usos prioritarios, preservación ecosistémica y sustentabilidad acuífera. Y otorga al organismo rector en esta materia, herramientas como los Acuerdos de Redistribución de Aguas, medida de emergencia exigible a las organizaciones de usuarios del agua, con el objeto de disminuir los efectos de la sequía.
La gestión de los acuerdos de redistribución de aguas como medida de emergencia, puede abordar una problemática puntual sin conocer los efectos globales, cuando las decisiones se toman sin conocer los elementos que regulan una cuenca hidrográfica, sus interacciones y los efectos de las medidas. En la presente tesis se revisaron los lineamientos técnicos actuales definidos por la Dirección General de Aguas, para el diseño e implementación de los acuerdos de redistribución de aguas en zonas declaradas en escasez hídrica, y se desarrollaron propuestas de mejora aplicadas a la cuenca del río Elqui, de la región de Coquimbo.
Entre los resultados obtenidos, se identificaron aspectos claves a considerar en la gestión de los acuerdos, como por ejemplo la falta de información de: los usos domésticos y de subsistencia, los requerimientos hídricos de los ecosistemas fluviales que requieren protección, y de la explotación de aguas subterráneas.
Del diagnóstico de los elementos básicos aplicados en el diseño de un acuerdo de redistribución de aguas para la cuenca de Elqui, conforme a los datos disponibles se estimó el índice de estrés hídrico, se identificó la falta de información por ejemplo, respecto de los sectores hidrogeológicos explotados y la dependencia de las fuentes de abastecimiento de agua potable, de la demanda hídrica de los humedales urbanos del río Elqui, la falta de catastro de los usos domésticos y de subsistencia, o del cumplimiento de la calidad de los efluentes de las plantas de tratamiento de aguas servidas y sus caudales de dilución.
En general, se identificaron problemas estructurales que no son factibles de abordar con los acuerdos de redistribución de aguas; sin embargo, se generaron recomendaciones para la definición de niveles de servicio aceptables mediante la determinación de dotaciones mínimas, la identificación de los peligros de la sequía y la evaluación de riesgos.
Finalmente, en el estudio se fundamenta la necesidad de contar con una base técnica para la definición de las medidas de reasignación del agua disponible, considerando niveles de riesgo aceptables y de los actores relevantes de la cuenca.
In the context of water scarcity in Chile, the current regulations established in the Water Code were modified in April 2022, incorporating concepts such as priority uses, ecosystem preservation and aquifer sustainability. And it grants the governing body in this matter tools such as Water Redistribution Agreements, an emergency measure required of water user organizations, with the aim of reducing the effects of drought. The management of water redistribution agreements as an emergency measure can address a specific problem without knowing the global effects, when decisions are made without knowing the elements that regulate a hydrographic basin, their interactions and the effects of the measures. In this thesis, the current technical guidelines defined by the General Directorate of Water were reviewed for the design and implementation of water redistribution agreements in areas declared to have water scarcity, and improvement proposals were developed applied to the Elqui River basin, from the Coquimbo region. Among the results obtained, key aspects were identified to be considered in the management of the agreements, such as the lack of information on: domestic and subsistence uses, the water requirements of river ecosystems that require protection, and the exploitation of groundwater. From the diagnosis of the basic elements applied in the design of a water redistribution agreement for the Elqui basin, according to the available data, the water stress index was estimated, the lack of information was identified, for example, regarding the hydrogeological sectors exploited and the dependence on the sources of drinking water supply, the water demand of the urban wetlands of the Elqui River, the lack of registration of domestic and subsistence uses, or compliance with the quality of the effluents from the plants. wastewater treatment and its dilution flows. In general, structural problems were identified that are not feasible to address with water redistribution agreements; however, recommendations were generated for the definition of acceptable service levels by determining minimum provisions, identifying the dangers of drought and evaluating risks. Finally, the study bases the need to have a technical basis for the definition of measures to reallocate available water, considering acceptable risk levels and the relevant actors in the basin.
In the context of water scarcity in Chile, the current regulations established in the Water Code were modified in April 2022, incorporating concepts such as priority uses, ecosystem preservation and aquifer sustainability. And it grants the governing body in this matter tools such as Water Redistribution Agreements, an emergency measure required of water user organizations, with the aim of reducing the effects of drought. The management of water redistribution agreements as an emergency measure can address a specific problem without knowing the global effects, when decisions are made without knowing the elements that regulate a hydrographic basin, their interactions and the effects of the measures. In this thesis, the current technical guidelines defined by the General Directorate of Water were reviewed for the design and implementation of water redistribution agreements in areas declared to have water scarcity, and improvement proposals were developed applied to the Elqui River basin, from the Coquimbo region. Among the results obtained, key aspects were identified to be considered in the management of the agreements, such as the lack of information on: domestic and subsistence uses, the water requirements of river ecosystems that require protection, and the exploitation of groundwater. From the diagnosis of the basic elements applied in the design of a water redistribution agreement for the Elqui basin, according to the available data, the water stress index was estimated, the lack of information was identified, for example, regarding the hydrogeological sectors exploited and the dependence on the sources of drinking water supply, the water demand of the urban wetlands of the Elqui River, the lack of registration of domestic and subsistence uses, or compliance with the quality of the effluents from the plants. wastewater treatment and its dilution flows. In general, structural problems were identified that are not feasible to address with water redistribution agreements; however, recommendations were generated for the definition of acceptable service levels by determining minimum provisions, identifying the dangers of drought and evaluating risks. Finally, the study bases the need to have a technical basis for the definition of measures to reallocate available water, considering acceptable risk levels and the relevant actors in the basin.
Description
Keywords
Escasez hídrica, Conservación y protección de las aguas, Sistema de monitoreo