Prieto Abogados‘ strategic water law practice is often called on to combine its legal expertise with environmental and regulatory advice so as to address water scarcity issues. With a focus on industries where sustainable water management is essential, the group advises clients across key sectors such as agriculture, energy, mining, infrastructure and real estate. The team works on a range of matters, including environmental assessments before the SEA, the development of desalination and treated-water reuse projects, and – notably – advising the water rights’ holders of the Margarita Canal on forming a water community (involving regularising their rights and handling their registration with the DGA). The practice is led by partner Agustín Martorell, a director of the Chilean Association of Desalination and Reuse (ACADES), where he also heads the legal and public policy committee. He is supported by José Tomás Veas, who brings valuable experience in regulatory and environmental law.
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Key clients
- DP World Chile
- Holders of water rights of the Margarita Canal
- Watt’s
- Engie Energía Chile
- Bio Energía Molina
- Inversiones San Roque Limitada
- Watt’s
- Constructora Bonatti – SK Limitada (“BSK”)
- Compañía Minera Doña Inés de Collahuasi
Work highlights
Advised the holders of water rights of the Margarita Canal in the process of incorporating a Water Community and its registration with the DGA, in accordance with the regulations established in the Water Code.
Advised Engie in the analysis and processing before the DGA of sectorial environmental permits corresponding to the Libélula Photovoltaic Project, in order to obtain the authorizations from the competent state agency to carry out modifications to watercourses and to build hydraulic works in the sector where the Project will be located.
Advising Watt's in the preparation and processing of requests for a change in the catchment point of the water used in the Osorno plant, in order to make water consumption more efficient and sustainable in its operation.
Practice head
Agustín Martorell
Other key lawyers
Jose Tomas Veas