Argentina families face contaminated water shortages in Neuquén and Buenos Aires

In the Cristo Vivo neighbourhood of Rincón de los Sauces, Neuquén province, about 40 families rely on a makeshift municipal hose system that delivers water tainted with mud and even rats. Residents report severe stomach pains and other health problems. One resident, Teresa, said, "El agua sale sucia, con barro y han salido hasta ratas de las mangueras," and added that the lack of safe water, gas and heating forces them to use costly electricity and insufficient municipal assistance.

In Ringuelet, a town in Buenos Aires province, a family has been without potable water for nine days after a repair by water utility Aguas Bonaerenses S.A. (ABSA) allegedly damaged the connection. The household has filed 25 formal complaints but received no inspection. The family lamented, "Nadie se pone en el lugar de una familia entera que no tiene una gota de agua..." They have turned to the provincial water regulator, ADA, which has placed the case "in treatment" with a ten‑business‑day deadline for the utility to respond. Meanwhile, they must manually haul water for drinking and hygiene.