Recently, the province of Buenos Aires took a decisive step against the clandestine channels that worsen floods.
The Buenos Aires Ministry of Infrastructure incorporated satellite technology and strengthened the municipal role to detect and deactivate these illegal works.
The head of the department, Gabriel Katopodis, confirmed this through Resolution No. 46/2026, which created a new procedure to combat unauthorized hydraulic constructions.
The measure arose after the historic floods of 2025 that affected the western part of Buenos Aires, worsened by the clandestine channels.
Satellites against water illegality
The Water Authority (ADA) works with the National Commission of Space Activities to access high-resolution images from the SPOT and PerúSat satellites.
This technology allows identifying clandestine channels from space.
“The Water Authority is working in coordination with the National Commission of Space Activities, through a project that allows access to high-resolution images,” reported the agency chaired by Damián Costamagna.
Additionally, the ADA signed an agreement with ARBA to implement remote monitoring using Landsat and Sentinel satellite images. The goal is to identify properties with illegitimate use of water resources.
More power to municipalities against clandestine channels
The new regulation strengthened the municipal role in controlling hydraulic works. So far, 26 districts have signed cooperation agreements with the ADA to act against clandestine channels.
The municipalities include:
- Mercedes, Navarro, Pila, Chascomús, and General Paz
- Alberti, General Las Heras, Suipacha, Colón, and Arrecifes
- Lincoln, Trenque Lauquen, Bolívar, and 25 de Mayo
- San Pedro, Chivilcoy, Benito Juárez, and Lezama
These districts are empowered to issue notifications and collaborate in resolving irregular situations. Of the 26 signatories, 18 are Peronists, 6 radicals, 1 from PRO, and 2 localists.
Million-dollar fines for those with clandestine channels
Penalties for unauthorized works range from 30,000 to 120,000 liters of grade 3 diesel. At current values, fines range from 57 million to 288 million pesos.
The ADA will impose fines for violation of article 94 of Provincial Law No. 12.257. This article establishes that all works require prior approval from the Water Authority.
If the work affects the Provincial Hydraulic System, the owner will be ordered to deactivate it.
If not complied with, they will receive a new fine and the province will proceed with deactivation at their expense.
“Once the deadline for deactivation of the work has expired without it being carried out, the fine will be enforced by right,” states the ninth article of the procedure.
The precedent of the 2025 floods
The measure arises after the floods that affected much of the Province of Buenos Aires in 2025-
At the time, the rains of 2025 tripled the annual average and flooded thousands of hectares in the central and northwestern parts of Buenos Aires.
Due to this, many producers were unable to harvest and dairy farms had difficulties getting their production out.
After this, the mayors identified the clandestine channels as one of the main problems
This is because they divert the flow of rivers and streams or dump excess water onto neighboring fields.
Therefore, the provincial government seeks to take action by modernizing the rules of the game with technology and updated sanctions.
