Chile pushes water‑security projects as drought persists in O'Higgins and Ñuble

Chile’s agriculture ministry sent Subsecretary Francesco Venezian to the O’Higgins region to inspect progress on the Bollenar reservoir project near Rengo. The initiative, prioritized by President Gabriel Kast, aims to secure water for about 1,500 farmers and 9,000 hectares of crops. Venezian highlighted that the scheme has undergone 14 years of studies and warned against further delays, noting the joint effort of the Ministry of Public Works, regional authorities, and local water boards.

In the neighboring Ñuble region, the Ministry of Public Works reported that June rains have not eliminated a water deficit of roughly 40 percent. River flows remain 54 percent below average, reaching an 80 percent shortfall for June, while key reservoirs such as Coihueco sit at two‑thirds capacity and others below 30 percent. Regional officials emphasized continuous monitoring and promised continued investment in new reservoirs and rural water‑supply systems to bolster agricultural and household water security.