The recent reform of the Constitution of Santa Fe marks a political, legal, and environmental milestone: access to drinking water and sanitation has been elevated to the status of a essential human right, and the aquatic ecosystems —wetlands, rivers, streams, and lagoons— have been granted legal personality, making them subjects of rights protected by the State.
An Unprecedented Advance in Latin America
The province positions itself as a pioneer in recognizing ecosystemic rights and specific state obligations.
According to Aníbal Faccendini, director of the Water Chair at the National University of Rosario, this reform is “original and unprecedented” due to its complexity and scope.
The new constitutional article not only addresses the scarcity of the resource, but also its hydrological cycle, and obliges the State to protect it from pollution and exploitation.
“Where there is no water, there is poverty, health problems, and environmental deterioration. This reform is a great opportunity to start addressing these issues,” emphasized Faccendini.
Water Emergency and Structural Inequality
More than 400,000 people in Santa Fe do not have secure access to drinking water.
One of the most urgent facts that drove the reform is that hundreds of thousands of people in Santa Fe lack safe and comprehensive access to water.
In Rosario, there are neighborhoods where women have to get up before dawn to collect water due to low water pressure.
Santa Fe guarantees the right to access water.
Legal Implications: Water as a Constitutional Right
The State must adapt regulations, eliminate contradictions, and ensure universal access.
The reform implies that ordinary laws will no longer be sufficient: water now holds constitutional status, above decrees and ordinances. The Santa Fe State is obligated to:
- Prevent arbitrary water cuts due to debt
- Repeal contradictory regulations
- Ensure equitable and continuous access to water and sanitation
Water and Production: A Comprehensive View
The reform also considers the productive use of water with sustainability criteria.
Faccendini emphasizes that water is crucial for agricultural and livestock production: 2,100 liters of water are needed to produce one kilogram of soybeans, and 15,000 liters for one kilogram of beef.
Therefore, the quality and availability of the resource are of interest to all of society, from environmentalists to producers.
Water, Health, and Sustainable Development
A human right that impacts public health, food security, and social equity
- Disease prevention: non-potable water is a source of gastrointestinal diseases
- Food security: essential for agriculture and food production
- Economic growth: reduces health costs and improves productivity
- Poverty reduction: universal access to water promotes equity
- Environmental sustainability: water is the basis for ecosystems and sustainable development
