Anyone installing a small biological plant in Chile moves between several regulatory levels: national provisions of the SISS, regional requirements of the Gobierno Regional (regional government) and the permit practice of each Municipalidad (municipality). What we describe here is the framework in force as of 2026; each case should be reviewed with a lawyer or a local engineering firm.
SISS provisions
The Superintendencia de Servicios Sanitarios (SISS) is the central Chilean authority for water and wastewater services. For decentralised plants outside the public network, adapted provisions apply depending on size and use. For household plants the term PTAS doméstica (domestic wastewater treatment plant) is used; for commercial use, extended requirements apply.
Environmental requirements
On rural land, requirements to protect groundwater are added: minimum distances to drinking water wells, slope of the land and type of soil. In Chile, the management of groundwater and water rights is the responsibility of the DGA (Dirección General de Aguas). In protected areas and nature reserves (CONAF zones) additional rules apply, which we clarify with the local partner or distributor.
Decreto 46: discharges to groundwater
For discharges to groundwater, Chile applies Decreto 46, the Norma de emisión de residuos líquidos a aguas subterráneas (emission standard for liquid waste discharged to groundwater) of the Ministerio Secretaría General de la Presidencia (enacted on 8 March 2002, published on 17 January 2003). It sets the emission limits that protect groundwater wherever the effluent seeps into the soil.
For a properly sized biological plant this is a favourable framework: the better the quality of the treated water, the more comfortably it meets this regulation, unlike a septic tank, which discharges without that level of treatment.
A common misunderstanding: a single detached home generally does not fall under this regulation, because it is aimed at establishments from around 100 PE (population equivalent). Why this is so, and what the regulation still teaches about nitrogen and fats, we explain in detail in the article ‘Decreto 46 and the wastewater from your rural plot’.
The permit route in practice
The usual route: site visit, preparation of the technical documentation, building permit from the Municipalidad, approval of the private sewer system project and authorisation of the works by the Seremi de Salud (regional health authority) and, where applicable, an additional review by the SISS or the environmental authority. Ektennsa accompanies this route together with the professional in charge of your project, but does not take on the role of a lawyer or a permitting specialist.
CE marking in the Chilean process
AQUATO small plants of up to 50 PE carry the CE marking under EN 12566-3, the European test for this type of plant. It is worth understanding its scope precisely: the CE marking applies in the European single market and is not automatically equivalent to an authorisation in Chile or in any South American country. In Chile, the competent authority (depending on the project, the SISS and other bodies) assesses each case under local regulations.
What it does provide is a solid technical basis. It certifies that the treatment capacity was measured in a type test under a European standard and that complete technical documentation exists. On top of that comes practice: the technology has proven itself under real conditions for years. All of this makes the assessment and approval processes easier in Chile and in South American countries.
Our work consists precisely in bringing the two together: tested German engineering and its professional adaptation to each country's regulations. We support the introduction of a technology already proven in Germany so that it is applied correctly and with solid backing in the face of the requirements in Chile and in South American countries.
UV disinfection as an optional stage
AQUATO treatment cleans the water with microorganisms and oxygen, without chlorine or chemical additives. When a project needs an additional sanitising step, for example to reuse the water, there is an optional stage: the AQUATO H module.
The H module disinfects with ultraviolet light, without adding chemicals. This reliably sanitises the already treated water and, depending on what local regulations allow, it can be reused, for example for subsurface irrigation. It is an optional stage that is decided case by case, according to what each project requires.
If your plan is concrete, we clarify the regulatory situation in the consultation and point out what you need to provide yourself and what we can take on with our network. It is wise to be cautious about general recommendations by region, because municipal practice changes quickly.
