Beyond coverage: Unveiling income and spatial inequalities in access to water and sanitation services in Chile

Abstract

This study examines income-related inequalities in access to drinking water and sanitation in Chile, with a focus on urban-rural disparities. Using data from the CASEN household surveys (1990–2017) and the Concentration Index (CI) as a distributional measure, the analysis reveals persistent structural inequities. Access deficits are disproportionately concentrated among low-income households, particularly in rural areas and non-concessioned urban zones. While national coverage rates have improved, these gains have not translated into equitable outcomes. Inequality intensified during the 1990s and early 2000s, and although modest reductions followed, significant disparities persist, especially in access to improved sources. The findings challenge prevailing assumptions that high national coverage equates to universal access, revealing the limitations of aggregate indicators. The study underscores the need for equity-sensitive monitoring systems and territorially differentiated policy responses. Policy must go beyond the current potable water program in rural areas to address dispersed populations and infrastructure constraints. In urban areas, extending services to marginalized, non-concessioned neighborhoods is essential. Addressing these inequities requires institutional innovation, participatory planning, and the integration of social equity into water governance frameworks. Chile can only advance toward fulfilling SDG 6 and ensuring the human right to water and sanitation through such measures.