Processes

The water supply is provided by means of two systems: the Gran Sistema Norte and the Sistema Sur.

The Gran Sistema Norte system is supplied by three intakes, Toconce, Lequena and Quinchamale, and a seawater desalinisation plant that has a current capacity of 150 l/s (expandable to 600 l/s). From the intakes, the raw water is put through arsenic abatement plants, followed by processing in conventional treatment plants, downstream of which the product water is stored in tanks for subsequent transfer to the distribution system for customers in the cities of Antofagasta, Calama, Tocopilla and Mejillones.

The supply for the Sistema Sur system comes from the Aguas Verdes intake. The raw water is put through a treatment plant, and the treated potable water is transferred to the distribution system for customers in the municipal district of Taltal.

The final disposal process for wastewater includes wastewater collection and removal to treatment plants through a network of 810 km of sewer lines, before final disposal.