The Water Policy of Chile: a historical, legal and administrative radiography of water management in the hands of the neoliberal market

Abstract

The present paper reviews aspects of the current Chilean water policy, which relies on the water management of the capitalist market and a limited State regulation. For their analysis, carried out a literature review of the different laws and historic documents that have administered the water resources of the country, until you reach the 1981 water code, still valid. To do this, add changes to this regulation from 1989 when new environmental, socio-economic criteria are incorporated and basin management, which have allowed democratizing the current Chilean water market share. In addition, is added, the option to transfer to face water shortage in the North of Chile.