Abstract

In Chile, as in many other areas of the world, water supplies have been poorly managed and water availability is decreasing. In order to manage water resources more sustainably and equitably, it is necessary to understand and predict their supply and use considering the characteristics of a particular zone. This study aimed to develop a conceptual model for water management in the Libertador Bernardo O'Higgins Region in Chile. The model considers the water needs of industries with production activities, human consumption, and the ecological flow of each sub-basin in the area. The results show that the proposed model contributes to the understanding of the critical variables, their agents, and the interaction between the hydric demands, which enables the prioritization of human consumption and the ecological flow. Furthermore, the cross-analysis between the offer and demand indicates that current and predicted consumption levels will only be sustainable up to the year 2031. The findings may be of use to decision-makers seeking to improve water management plans in this area and elsewhere, and to others interested in modeling water management in different areas.