With a significant turnout, the University of Santiago, Chile, presented the First Symposium on Agricultural Water Quality. This event sought to underscore the pressing challenges the country faces concerning irrigation water quality and its effects on public health, the environment, and food safety.
The event was organized by the Center for Food Science and Technology Studies (CECTA Usach) and the Chilean Agency for Food Safety and Quality (ACHIPIA), with support from Corfo, Odepa, INDAP, CNR, Chile Alimentos, and Hortach.
The event was opened by Dr. Alberto Monsalve, Vice-Rector for Research, Innovation, and Creation at Usach, who stressed the urgency of addressing the water crisis from a comprehensive approach, reaffirming the institutional commitment to sustainability as a “guiding principle in its work.” He emphasized that the meeting was key to the “exchange of knowledge that contributes to the common good.”
Alan Espinoza, Undersecretary of Agriculture, emphasized the critical importance of addressing "a crucial issue for the future of agriculture: the quality of irrigation water," a goal achieved through the symposium. Concurrently, Diego Varela, executive secretary of Achipia, asserted that water quality was an essential factor for both food safety and the guarantee of food sovereignty.
A Scientific and Management Approach to Problem Resolution
Following these presentations, a round of presentations began with topics on the microbiological risks associated with irrigation water and its regulatory framework, presented by Leonardo Farías (Institute of Public Health), and the effects on productivity and safety in the horticultural sector, presented by Cristián Muñoz (Hortach).
The second block focused on risk assessment, with a keynote lecture on how this tool can strengthen public health decision-making, given by Dr. Bing Wang, associate professor in the Department of Food Science and Technology at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
This was followed by four case studies on risk assessment: a preventive approach in family farming by Dr. José Palacios (Cecta Usach); a case study on surface water quality in Biobío by Ricardo Figueroa (Water Technology Consortium); use of domestic wastewater in horticultural crops by Constanza Avello (Achipia); and analysis of gray water for agricultural reuse by Gladys Vidal (CHRIAM).
The third part of the symposium focused on issues related to risk management. Lorena Galarce (Achipia) presented the experience of the National Integrated Agricultural Water Program; Jorge Silva (Indap) presented guidelines for the approval of gray water reuse projects; Moisés Leiva (Chile Alimentos) addressed international standards such as Global GAP and FSMA; Paola Cruz (Ministry of Health) explained the new regulations on treated wastewater; Dr. Julio Romero (Usach) discussed emerging technologies for the treatment and recovery of this resource; and Jaime Vergara (CNR) analyzed the reuse of wastewater in rural irrigation.
Intersectoral Commitment
The day ended with a panel discussion moderated by Manuel Miranda (Achipia), which brought together representatives from the public, private, and academic sectors to discuss the steps needed to achieve more effective and coordinated management of water for agriculture.
The most outstanding scientific posters were also recognized, and a collaboration agreement was signed between the participating institutions.
Finally, Dr. Claudio Martínez, director of Cecta Usach, praised the meeting, saying that “it was very important for our Center, as it allows us to strengthen our ties with Achipia, and we hope that it will bear even more fruit.” He added that the participation of actors from the public and private sectors “positions us as a university” on issues related to water quality and food safety.
Comprehensive information regarding the symposium can be found at this link.