The relationship between memory and water in Melipilla, Chile, is fundamental to understanding local identity, especially in times of drought. The city, located in a fertile valley, has taken advantage of the water from the rivers and estuaries, which were essential for agriculture and community life. Droughts and weather have altered this relationship, as they have not only affected the availability of water but also the traditions and memories related to it. The stories of Melipilla are stories of water, which is associated with time and life. Drought reveals the vulnerability and need for adaptation on the part of the community. Thus, water, in its abundance and scarcity, nourishes both the land and memory, intimately linking local identity with environmental challenges.

Drought is a growing problem in many parts of the world, and Chile is no exception. In recent decades, Chile has faced a significant decrease in water availability due to a combination of climatic, geographic and human factors.

Melipilla is a province located in the Metropolitan region of Santiago. This area has experienced a considerable reduction in rainfall, which has led to a decrease in river flows and underground aquifer levels. Agriculture, a key economic activity in the region, has been especially impacted by the lack of water, affecting all members of the town and both small farmers and large producers.

Given the current drought situation in San Pedro de Melipilla, our section "drought and water in Melipilla" provides residents or visitors with some of the most important water points such as; Yali estuary, the water deposit through cistern trucks and possible places to buy drinking water. 

On this map you can see geolocated rivers such as the Maipo River, estuaries such as the Puangue estuary, etc. along with different water marketing points, where the purchase of drums and drinking water services through pipes are offered.

Wastewater is mainly divided into three categories: stormwater, industrial wastewater and domestic wastewater, which have drainage networks to collect and transport different types of water.

Separative system (method that distinguishes and directs wastewater and stormwater through separate channels to improve treatment and avoid contamination).

Combined water system (method that collects both wastewater and stormwater in a single pipe system)

In our case we will delve into domestic wastewater which is categorized into: black and yellow water.

Wastewater or Sewage: What are they and why are they important in our daily lives? | Water Institute

black water :Highly contaminated effluents from toilets and sewage systems, rich in organic matter and pathogens.

yellow waters: Effluents containing mainly urine, with a lower organic load and pathogens than sewage

To build a well, technical aspects such as terrain, aquifer depth, hydrogeological data, and intended use must be considered. Well depth is determined by nearby well logs and tests while drilling, and can vary depending on geological conditions and flow rate required. The wells are classified into:

Dug wells/Noria: They are built for shallow water. With excavators they can reach up to 15 meters, and with a barrier, up to 20-30 meters.

Percussion: This technique involves the use of a hammer or percussion equipment to pierce the ground. It is effective for depths of up to 15-20 meters, depending on the hardness of the terrain. It is a common technique on soft or moderately hard terrain.

Gouging: Also known as "roza" or "friction", it is a drilling technique in which a tool is used to wear away the ground material without hammering. It is suitable for depths of up to 15 meters. It is useful in less hard terrain where percussion drilling is not necessary.

Water injection: This method is used to drill to greater depths, generally between 30 and 40 meters. Water injection helps cool the bit, lubricate the process, and evacuate debris from the hole, making it easier to drill in harder terrain.

Downhole hammering: This technique is used to drill deep wells, up to about 300 meters. It consists of using a special hammer that hits the bottom of the hole to break the material. It is effective on hard or rocky terrain.

Rotary with water injection: It is an advanced method that combines the rotation of the bit with the injection of water to drill. This method allows drilling up to 200 meters and is useful for hard or rocky terrain. The rotation helps cut the material more efficiently, and the water makes it easier to evacuate the debris.    

Based on this information we built a budget of a total of 2,000,000.  which corresponds to a well 15 to 20 meters deep with a surface of 1000 to 2000 m² in the town of San Pedro de Melipilla Budget without title Presupuesto sin título (habitissimo.cl

State intervention represents a fundamental factor in the persistent drought crisis facing Chile. This situation is exacerbated by the state of regulation regarding the use of water by companies, which constitute the main consumers of the resource. Although there are agreements such as the “Blue Certificate”, designed to promote more responsible water management, these mechanisms are voluntary. As a result, companies have the ability to divert rivers and flows with minimal or no state regulation. This lack of effective control contributes significantly to the worsening of the drought in the country.

While the State focuses on reducing the water consumption of the civilian population, as illustrated in the posters present on the side, reality shows that the Agriculture and Livestock sectors are responsible for the greatest water consumption and a considerable water pollution. This discrepancy evidences an urgent need to reorient policies to effectively address the impact of these sectors on water resource management.

Water is a vital resource for the life and sustainable development of any country. In Chile, a country with a diverse geography and varied climatic conditions, water consumption shows trends that reflect both agricultural and urban use. Through this analysis, it seeks to better understand the current water situation in Chile and encourage discussion on the need for conservation policies and sustainable management of this essential resource. 

"More than half of this consumption is taken by the forestry industry, with 384.01 m³/sec (59.16%). It is followed by the agricultural industry 240.17 m³/sec (37%)..... The percentage of human consumption increases to 6.3% if only water from surface and/or underground sources were considered." Consumo de agua en Chile: ¿quiénes gastan más? (theclinic.cl) 

“El desafío para las empresas chilenas es mirar el agua como un recurso estratégico del cual dependerá el desarrollo futuro” - País Circular (paiscircular.cl) 

“The challenge for Chilean companies is to see water as a strategic resource on which future development will depend” - País Circular (paiscircular.cl)

This research work addresses the drought in San Pedro de Melipilla, analyzing causes, impacts and possible solutions.   The use of water in agriculture and daily life, interviews with residents of the area are also included to offer a more general vision of how the drought affects the community. 

Below is a short video to introduce us to this topic.

Next, we will hear the testimonies of two local farmers from San Pedro de Melipilla, who share their experiences about the drought that affects the region. Through their stories, we will understand how this crisis has impacted their crops, their daily challenges, and the strategies they have adopted to survive in an increasingly adverse environment. Join us to learn more about the reality of those who work the land in difficult times.