BioBio Chile | Regional Governments of Santiago and Valparaíso sign historic agreement to protect the Maipo River
- Publicado el 23.03.2026
- Escrito por Angel Fondon
The Regional Governments of Santiago and Valparaíso signed a bi-regional agreement for the protection of the Río Maipo Wetland Nature Sanctuary, within the framework of World Water Day.
The signature represents the urgency of protecting water sources due to the rapid advance of the climate crisis.
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The Maipo River is a very important area for the ecological and agricultural world of both regions.
The above is because it supports peasant agriculture, maintains the ecosystems of its watercourse, and provides water to more than 8 million people.
The basin has faced increasing pressure due to waste pollution, mining operations, illegal extraction of aggregates, among other factors.
The alliance between the two regional governments aims to coordinate actions, plan interventions and advance territorial governance resilient to the climate crisis.
80% of Santiago’s drinking water comes from the Maipo River
The governor of Santiago, Claudio Orrego, stated that “it is not enough to recognize the water crisis, we have to act decisively.”
“This implies moving forward with decrees and concrete tools that will allow us to protect the Maipo River basin, better regulate water use, and ensure its availability for future generations,” he said.
Orrego stated that 80% of Santiago’s drinking water comes from the river basin and that, if it is not cared for, there will be no water future.
“There is also a national challenge and a challenge for the new government; the economic model must be able to respect the environment and take communities into account,” he added.
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