Water Use Rights (Chile)

The DAA are exercised proportionally to the real and instantaneous flow of the respective channel, which is variable (aliquot, pro rata or shift distribution system). The DAA can be consumptive and non-consumptive. This distinction and, in particular, the concept of non-consumptive use, was incorporated with the objective of facilitating the development of hydroelectricity in the upper parts of the basins without affecting the existing uses downstream of the river. This is because, when the CA came into force, most of the surface waters in the central and northern parts of Chile had already been granted to consumptive uses. Consumptive rights are those that empower the owner to use or consume all water; Non-consumptive ones are those that allow water to be used without consuming it. In the case of non-consumptive uses, the extraction or restitution of water must be done without prejudice to the rights of third parties established over the same water, in terms of its quantity, quality, substance, opportunity for use and other particularities.