Ministry of Public Works asks farmers to remain calm, guaranteeing water for human consumption

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SANTIAGO.- Rodrigo Weisner, the General Director for Water Resources at the Ministry of Public Works, has stated that despite the fact that the country is facing a drought, the supply of water for human consumption is not threatened. In the midst criticism for a plan to use water resources from the Laja and Maule reservoirs if the crisis becomes worse, Weisner called on farmers to remain calm.

During a conversation with Radio Cooperativa, Weisner stated, "the use of water for human consumption is not threatened, but that does not mean that just because the use of this water is ensured, people can waste water resources. We are in the middle of a drought and everyone must use rational amounts of water".

Weisner also explained that the government measure to adjust the use of water from the reservoirs only expands the monthly limits concerning how much water can be removed from them. It does not, however, change the amount of water legally belonging water companies.

Weisner pointed out that the measure in no way threatens the supply of water for agricultural production, telling the industry not to worry.