Water service crises emerge in Chile and Argentina

In Chile, lawmakers from the Partido Nacional Libertario (PNL) have raised alarms regarding a sharp increase in the theft of water meters. Data from the Superintendencia de Servicios Sanitarios (SISS) indicates that thefts rose from 4,265 cases in 2023 to 8,256 in 2025, with 1,946 incidents already recorded by July 2026. Legislators are calling for contingency plans from utility companies and a national census of affected areas. While a new resolution mandates a transition to digital meters made of less attractive materials, deputies have noted that implementation is slow.

In Argentina, the Municipal Council is debating a significant debt owed to the utility provider Aguas Santafesinas (ASSA). Opposition members have proposed several measures, including summoning Mayor Miguel Weiss Ackerley to explain the debt's origin, the creation of a special investigative commission, and formal requests for information regarding the management of water and sewage revenues between 2023 and 2026. The debate also covers the potential transfer of water services.