Chile's public works ministry (MOP) is waiting for the approval of a new rural water bill to expand rural potable water services in the country, a MOP official told BNamericas.
The new law will establish the 2009 budget for rural potable water services. Once approved, the sanitation department at MOP's waterworks division can determine its development priorities.
The bill is expected to be approved in the next two weeks.
Currently, Chile's potable water coverage in concentrated rural communities, where there are at least 15 homes per kilometer and some 150 inhabitants, is an estimated 99.5%.
Authorities are also looking to expand potable water services in semi-concentrated areas, where there are at least eight homes per kilometer. Water coverage in these areas is an estimated 50%.
While the government wants to expand these services, it also aims to improve existing networks and carry out maintenance works, as some networks were installed up to 20 years ago, an official from the sanitation programs department told BNamericas.
Rural potable water systems in the country are operated by local communities. Operational costs are covered by the rates they pay themselves, but authorities do not rule out the possibility of providing them with further support.
The state already covers the installation of rural potable water systems.
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