22/07/2026 10:13 - Economia
The Argentine government is moving forward with one of the largest privatizations in the region: the concession of AySA (Agua y Saneamientos Argentinos S.A., the national water and sanitation company). This public utility provides drinking water and sewage services to 14 million users across the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires and 26 districts in the Greater Buenos Aires area (locally known as 'conurbano', a densely populated ring of suburbs around the capital). The sale of 90% of the company's shares promises to transform water resource management in the country.
The concession contract stipulates a total investment of US$15.04 billion over 30 years. For the first five years, US$1.94 billion is committed, and US$2.03 billion for the second five-year period.
The bidding document describes the first decade as a phase of 'operational stabilization'. Goals for the first 10 years include:
Seven bidders have registered, combining local and international players:
The Ministry of Economy estimates it will collect between US$450 and US$500 million from the sale, funds that would enter the national treasury. Diego Chaher assured that the contracting system is 'completely digital, encrypted, and traceable', ensuring transparency and eliminating the possibility of manipulation. The remaining 10% of the shares will be kept by the workers through a worker ownership program.
This is not the first privatization process for the company. In 1993, under the name Aguas Argentinas S.A., the service was concessioned to the French company Suez. After repeated contract breaches and lack of investment, in March 2006, the then-president Néstor Kirchner decreed its nationalization (Decree 304/2006), creating the current AySA. It is expected that this new stage will bring the stability and financing needed to bring drinking water and sanitation to more Argentine homes.
Alfredo S. Quiroga
