The Justice of Mercedes, in the province of Buenos Aires, granted precautionary measures in response to a complaint about arsenic in the water.
The 37-page judicial resolution took into consideration the risk posed by pesticide spraying near groundwater extraction wells..
This was in response to an amparo (protective legal action) filed by dozens of residents of Ciudad Nueva, in the town of 9 de Julio.
Arsenic in the water in 9 de Julio: protective action and measures
The lawsuit came after the results of tests measuring the presence of arsenic in the water consumed by a significant portion of the population were revealed in December.
Arsenic in water and its dangers.
It showed levels 36 times higher than the maximum allowed. In response to this, residents organized and, with the free legal representation of Naturaleza de Derechos, turned to the Justice system.
In addition to requesting the guarantee of water potability, they asked to protect the aquifer from pesticides and to ensure access to information on water quality.
The issue of pesticides
This situation is one of the examples of what happens in many towns in the agricultural core zone of Buenos Aires. Pesticides are used that spread close to populated areas and end up in groundwater, which is the water source for the population.
The measures granted by the ruling
The Justice’s response was decisive:
a) Ordered municipal authorities to take necessary measures to provide jugs of potable water according to the parameters of art. 982 of the Argentine Food Code (ensuring 10 micrograms per liter of arsenic -10 µg/l-) and without agrochemicals, for daily consumption by the protected families, and in schools, health centers, households, nursing homes, and clubs in the Ciudad Nueva – Barrios Unidos area of Nueve de Julio.
b) Ordered the prohibition of tap water consumption in schools, a measure that should be extended to all residents of the district.
c) Required authorities to perform monthly water analysis, “informing the results in this case, in local media and on the water bills of household consumers in the urban area of Ciudad Nueva – Barrios Unidos.”
d) Ordered the Province of Buenos Aires to quarterly analyze groundwater within the district, including the following chemical compounds: Triticonazole, Metomilo, Imazapir Metolaclor, Atrazine, Cypermethrin, Deltamethrin, Atrazine-desethyl, Imidacloprid, Dimethoate, Imazethapyr, Imazapic, Pirimicarb, Aldicarb, Diclosulam, Imazaquin, Metsulfuron, Dichlorvos, Carbofuran, Metribuzin, Carbaryl, Metalaxyl, Metroromuron, Ametryn, Atrazine, Chlorimuron ethyl, Malathion, Epoxiconazole, Flurochloridone, Acetochlor, Metconazole, Kresoxim-methyl, Tebuconazole, Diazinon, Piperonyl butoxide, Chlorpyrifos, Tetramethrin, Allethrin, Pendimethalin, Dicamba, Fipronil, 2,4-DB, 2,4-D, Glyphosate, and Ampa.
e) Ordered the implementation of a health surveillance plan within 12 months.
The town’s demands for water with arsenic.
The dangers of arsenic
Argentinian science, following international scientific research, has proven the synergy between arsenic and Glyphosate (an iconic agrochemical). The toxic effects are intensified.
Furthermore, various scientific studies have shown how pesticides are also contributors of arsenic in groundwater.
Additionally, it is important to note that in many cases, groundwater is already naturally contaminated with this chemical element due to geological processes.
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