“Hay agua, pero no hay agua”: Uncovering the complex interrelations in water governance in southern Chile

Abstract

Chile is currently characterized by complex hydro-social crises, which are exacerbated by a long period of drought. In the context of water scarcity and related resource conflicts, not only limited availability, but questions of access to water play a crucial role. Against the background of a complete privatization of water rights and a neoliberal policy that promotes water-intensive economic sectors such as mining, (irrigated) agriculture, timber industry and hydroenergy, issues of water governance have been discussed in the course of the debates on reforms of the current legislation. While most studies have focused on water insecurities in the semi-arid and arid regions of the country, less attention has been paid to southern Chile. However, the construction of hydropower plants in Indigenous territories has strained relations between the state, the Mapuche populations and hydropower companies, and influenced their availability of water in this part of the country.

We use examples from the Bío Bío and Los Rios regions in south-central Chile to investigate water insecurities and local adaptation strategies in territories without natural water scarcity based on concepts of environmental governance. Through a qualitative social research methodology including interviews and ethnographic observations realized between 2019 and 2023, we found that problems of access to water surface within the green scenery, yet they do not affect all population groups. Thus, we argue that specific cultural, social and economic contexts influence decision-making processes regarding the access to water resources. Multiple factors limit or grant access to water, including financial issues, disputes within local communities and social networks, as well as the emergence of new economic activities, particularly, tourism. Moreover, coordination shortfalls between governmental agencies at horizontal and vertical levels impact water governance in apparently water abundant areas. Hence, our results are of socio-political relevance against the background of a possible reform of water legislation and the discourse on environmental justice and adaptive water governance.