The institution was represented by the Rector, Dr. Nibaldo Avilés, who at the meeting expressed the importance for the University of participating in this initiative inserted in the Regional Development Strategy. 

With the assistance of Senator Adriana Muñoz and Mayor Hanne Utreras, the Fifth Session of the Regional Water Directorate was held in the Prat Hall of the Municipality, an initiative that was born from the Regional Corporation for Productive Development, - whose manager is Cristian Sáez -, with the objective of installing a Public-Private institutional framework that proposes the guidelines agreed upon with the actors involved, to face the aridity condition of the Coquimbo Region.

On the occasion, the University of La Serena, a member of the board, was represented by its Rector, Dr. Nibaldo Avilés, who emphasized the importance for the institution of being part of this type of initiatives. The authority also highlighted that this consideration lies in the positioning that the institution has achieved within the framework of its connection with the environment and development of research and innovation.

Within the framework of the Fifth Session, the main milestones since the constitution of this Board of Directors in 2012 were addressed, among which the creation of the Board of Directors, the approval of the work plan and the constitution of the management team were highlighted.

On the occasion, a brief review was made of the objectives of this instance, emphasizing the strategic axes within which are improving the efficiency of water demand, improving the efficiency of the current supply network, increasing water supply, preserve water quality and practice care for water resources.

Also on the occasion, details of the progress status of the Study to Prepare the Regional Water Resources Strategy for Cuenca 2014-2030 were presented, which seeks to develop detailed short-term planning (2014-2018) and long-term planning ( 2018-2030). In this context, it is expected to obtain a baseline per basin, strategic guidelines and short and long-term planning, where the opportunity lies in developing an instrument for prioritizing public and private investment in water resources, in addition to strengthening governance. of hydrographic basins.

Another of the initiatives presented at this meeting was the progress of a comparative technical-economic study of the installation between a desalination plant and a treated water reuse plant, with the idea of ​​developing a comparative analysis to know the technical-economic viability of the installation of a seawater desalination plant and a purified water reuse plant.

In parallel, a study of integrated water resource management models is being carried out for the basins of the provinces of Elqui, Limarí and Choapa, and a Program of dissemination and technological transfer in matters of water efficiency and non-conventional renewable energy alternatives.

Within the framework of this Directory, the 2014 Work Plan was proposed, which highlights the holding of national and international seminars, fairs and forums, the creation of committees of experts, technological missions and the development of new programs, projects and studies aligned with the objectives of the Regional Water Directory.

Among the challenges were set to promote and accelerate public and private investment in innovation projects in matters of surface and groundwater management, advance quickly in the construction of the Regional Water Resources Strategy for Cuenca 2014-2030, continue promoting the integrated basin management with all relevant actors, improve governance competencies by basin and the user organizations that comprise it, propose legal and regulatory changes that are necessary and have resources to accelerate proposed strategies and solutions.