Aguas Araucanía protects water meters in Chilean nurseries as winter hits

Aguas Araucanía deployed teams to install protective covers on water meters in kindergartens and nurseries across 11 communes of the Araucanía region. The measures aim to prevent freezing of meters and pipelines during the cold season and keep water supplies uninterrupted for early‑childhood centers. "For the nurseries, water is vital not only for nutrition but also for strict hygiene protocols that protect the health of infants," said Milton Morales, manager of Clients at Aguas Araucanía.

Separately, Chile's Instituto de Seguridad Laboral (ISL) launched the "Bajo Cero" and "Bajo Cero: Alta Montaña" campaigns for 2026, warning of the occupational hazards of extreme cold. The campaigns target workers in fishing, waste collection, transport, forestry, open‑pit mining, telecoms and tourism, urging employers to assess climatic risks, provide training and adequate protective gear. ISL deputy director Patricia Contreras Alvarado emphasized that "the winter cannot be controlled, but its occupational risks can be managed," highlighting the need to stop work when conditions become unsafe to avoid hypothermia, falls and other accidents.