Integrated Water Resource Management in Chile: To Be or Not To Be

Development and impediments to integrated water resource management in Chile are presented. Sustainable water use supports social objectives into the indefinite future without undermining environmental and hydrological integrity. International consensus exists that integrated water management and watershed management form a sound basis for sustainable water use. Increased water user conflicts, water quality degradation, recognition of economic inefficiencies, acknowledgment of ecological flows requirements, and public good issues are leading toward a more integrated and watershed based approach to water management in Chile. Despite these issues and concerted effort since the early 1990s, however, integrated water resource management and watershed management has not yet materialized and progress remains slow. Impediments in Chile to integrated water resource management include opposition due to political dogma and special interest groups, as well as lack of stakeholder participation and enabling legislation.