Chile's water utilities urge residents to avoid pouring oil and waste down drains

Aguas del Altiplano organized an informational session for the Chinchorro neighbourhood in Arica, teaching households how to use the sewage system correctly and recycle household oil. Gerente zonal Claudia Rojas Muñoz said, “These instances are key to bring practical information to neighbours… small changes in daily habits, like not pouring oil down the sewer, can prevent larger problems.” Community leader Valeska Herrera Lizama praised the on‑site education for helping prevent clogged pipes.

In the O’Higgins region, the Superintendence of Sanitary Services and water company Essbio launched a winter maintenance plan, with officials Carlos Astudillo Briones and Patricio Bustos inspecting preventive actions. They warned that disposing rainwater, solid waste, used towels, oil or construction debris in the sewer causes blockages and threatens public health, urging citizens to keep drainage chambers clean and avoid improper waste disposal.