WATER RECYCLING IN ARID REGIONS - CHILEAN CASE

Administrative Region 11 in the north of Chile is rich in minerals and natural salts. It is an extremely arid region with very limited water resources. The nature of the soil and the Andes mountains' volcanic sediment, is responsible for the high salt, boron and arsenic content in natural water. Under these conditions, only salts and boron-resistant native crops and vegetables can be cultivated in the region. Drinking water for urban areas is being treated to remove the high arsenic content and the raw wastewater is being discharged to the Pacific Ocean or to the desert plain. The limited water availability for urban and industrial expansion and the exposure risk to arsenic requires a multidisciplinary approach to implement successful water-related programs. Accordingly, a general overview of the existing water resources and its chemical quality, wastewater recycling procedures and a framework for an adequate implementation program in the north of Chile is presented