Abstract

Map of the R & iacute;o Claro watershed, Chile, alongside four boxes summarising the study context, methodology, local organisation, and findings on water governance under scarcity.In the context of the climate crisis, water scarcity has become an increasingly critical challenge, particularly in rural territories affected by long-term reductions in rainfall. While much research has focused on the role of the state and public policies, less attention has been paid to how local water organizations respond to this crisis in practice, especially in Latin America. This article focuses on Chile's Maule Region, examining the case of the San Rafael Canal Users Association. Drawing on a qualitative approach that combines interviews, participant observation, and document analysis (2023-2024), the study explores how power relations within the organization shape unequal access to water and influence collective responses to scarcity. The findings reveal that formal rules reproduce hierarchies that privilege large landowners, while social relations and gender norms determine who participates and who is excluded. Material resources and institutional position further mediate the capacity to adapt and influence decisions, showing how collective management, both reflects and reinforces broader social inequalities.HIGHLIGHTSAnalyzes local water governance under prolonged scarcity in Chile's Maule Region. Reveals how rules, social relations, and gender norms shape unequal access. Shows how material and institutional resources influence adaptation. Highlights hydrosocial power as a key driver of inequality. Contributes empirical evidence to the political ecology of water.