Elqui River Overflow Disrupts Water Supply in La Serena, Coquimbo

The Elqui River's overflow, triggered by recent heavy rains, has created a critical situation for the La Serena-Coquimbo conurbation in Chile. Aguas del Valle, the local water company, reported that the extreme turbidity and subsequent flooding of the Elqui River have rendered a significant portion of the water supply infrastructure inoperable.

The event caused widespread flooding, activated ravines, and left vast areas covered in mud, sediment, and debris. This deluge impacted essential facilities for drinking water production, severed electrical connections, and blocked access to operational sites. Consequently, the company has extended the water service suspension, which began on Tuesday evening, to additional areas within La Serena and Coquimbo.

"The situation has surpassed all forecasts. Our infrastructure was damaged, and we had to evacuate our personnel from some facilities," stated Andrés Nazer, the regional manager for Aguas del Valle. "Today, our focus is on maintaining and reinforcing alternative supply for the community while we work to regain access to our sites and determine the full extent of the damage caused by this emergency."

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The situation has surpassed all forecasts. Our infrastructure was damaged, and we had to evacuate our personnel from some facilities. Today, our focus is on maintaining and reinforcing alternative supply for the community while we work to regain access to our sites and determine the full extent of the damage caused by this emergency.

Nazer emphasized the difficulty in estimating repair timelines. "Until we can safely enter and verify the condition of the facilities, it is impossible to gauge the scale of the damage or set a reliable timeframe for restoring drinking water production," he said. "We are making every effort alongside authorities and emergency teams."

Aguas del Valle has deployed its contingency plan, distributing over 100 water tanks across the conurbation to support residents during the ongoing emergency.

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Until we can safely enter and verify the condition of the facilities, it is impossible to gauge the scale of the damage or set a reliable timeframe for restoring drinking water production. We are making every effort alongside authorities and emergency teams.