Traiguén is declared a sanitary risk zone due to sewage system collapse

The Regional Ministerial Secretariat of Health of the La Araucanía Region declared the commune of Traiguén a sanitary risk zone through Exempt Resolution No. CP 20.007, issued in Temuco on August 21, 2026. The measure is a response to the collapse of private sewage systems and the overflowing of septic tanks caused by the meteorological event that affected the region, and it mandates the I. Municipality of Traiguén to manage the necessary resources to control the risk.

The resolution was published in the Official Gazette of the Republic of Chile, No. 44,538, on Monday, August 31, 2026, in Section I (General Norms), pages 1 and 2, under the official reference CVE 2862392.

Scope of the sanitary emergency

According to the Damage and Needs Assessment System Alpha Report No. 12-D, dated August 12, 2026, prepared by the I. Municipality of Traiguén, the overflowing of septic tanks due to flooding and waterlogging affected two sectors of the commune:

• Aniñir Sector: 20 affected homes.
• Villa El Tesoro de Chufquen Sector: 25 affected families.

The Sanitary Inspection and Risk Assessment Technical Report, dated August 17, 2026, from the Seremi itself, confirmed the overflowing of streams, canals, and roads in poor condition, with sectors partially saturated with water, overflowing septic tanks with little or no operability, and the surfacing of groundwater. This prevented the use of toilets, tubs, showers, and sinks in many homes, creating unsanitary hotspots and attracting vectors of sanitary interest.

Legal basis

The declaration is based on the Sanitary Code (DFL No. 725/67), particularly Article 67, which obligates the Regional Ministerial Secretariats of Health to ensure the elimination or control of environmental factors that affect the health of the inhabitants. Article 9 letter b) and Article 14 of the same legal body are also invoked, as well as DFL No. 1 of 2006, which establishes the functions of the Seremis of Health regarding environmental sanitary protection.

The resolution was signed by José Isafor Bravo Burgos, Regional Ministerial Secretary of Health of the La Araucanía Region, appointed to the position via Decree No. 28 of March 24, 2026, from the Ministry of Health.

Municipal obligations and validity

The second article of the resolution establishes that the I. Municipality of Traiguén must implement all corresponding actions to facilitate the adoption of necessary sanitary and emergency measures, ensuring that the health of the inhabitants is not affected. The sanitary risk zone will remain in effect for the time strictly necessary for the elimination of the risk.

Pursuant to article four, the resolution enters into force without awaiting its publication in the Official Gazette, due to the urgency required to address the existing situation in the commune.

The declaration of a sanitary risk zone constitutes a key instrument for the municipality of Traiguén to mobilize emergency resources and coordinate the necessary sanitation measures. For the residents of the Aniñir and Villa El Tesoro de Chufquen sectors, the measure represents the official recognition of a situation that compromises their health and well-being, and enables sanitary intervention to restore safe living conditions following the meteorological event.

Source: Official Gazette of the Republic of Chile, No. 44,538, Monday, August 31, 2026, Section I (General Norms), pp. 1-2 (official reference: CVE 2862392).