Chile droughts: Private water system under pressure

Water is becoming increasingly scarce in Chile due to drought, the overuse of aquifers and a dysfunctional system of private water ownership.

Chile is one of the Latin American countries in dire straits when it comes to water.

Droughts are common as the precious resource becomes scarce.

In Chile, a unique law that dates back to the country’s military dictatorship separates water and land rights.

And its free market system is increasingly coming under fire as water becomes scarcer.

 

Al Jazeera’s Lucia Newman reports from Paine.