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Argentina

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Argentina

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Amazon
Area: 5888268 km2
Countries:
Brazil; Peru; Suriname; France; Colombia; Guyana; Bolivia; Venezuela; Ecuador
Cities:
Santa Cruz; Manaus; La Paz
PFAF ID:
HydroBasin Level:
Baseline Water Stress:
Water Quality Stress:
Sanitation Access Stress:
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Quick Info

2.52 out of 5
WWF Country Risk Score
128 out of 248 Countries
WWF Country Rank
Total Organizations: 51
Total Projects: 12
Priority SDGs: Sustainable Agriculture (SDG 2.4)
Increase Access to Water, Sanitation, Hygiene (SDG 6.1 & 6.2)
Water Quality (SDG 6.3)
Water Use Efficiency (SDG 6.4)
Integrated Water Resource Management (SDG 6.5)
Protect and Restore Ecosystems (SDG 6.6)
International Cooperation and Capacity Building (SDG 6.a)
Stakeholder Participation (SDG 6.b)
Water-Related Disaster Management (SDG 11.5)
Sustainable Production (SDG 12.4)
Climate Resilience and Adaptation (SDG 13.1)
Priority Regions: --
Priority Industries: Apparel
Biotech, health care & pharma
Food, beverage & agriculture
Power generation
Organization Types:
55%
Business
25%
NGO / Civil Society
8%
Academia
4%
Government
2%
Utility / Water Service Provider
2%
Individual / Sole Proprietor
2%
International Organization
2%
Bilateral and / or Intergovernmental Agency
Profile Completion: 91%

Water-Related Challenge Costs

Total annual estimated cost to address all water-related challenges: $11,290,409,028.00

Share of total annual estimated cost to address each individual challenge (2015 $USD):

  • Access to Drinking Water: $304,026,953.00 - [3%]
  • Access to Sanitation: $1,210,028,540.00 - [11%]
  • Industrial Pollution: $1,422,884,650.00 - [13%]
  • Agricultural Pollution: $3,235,134,909.00 - [29%]
  • Water Scarcity: $3,236,599,138.00 - [29%]
  • Water Management: $1,881,734,838.00 - [17%]

For more about this data, see information on WRI’s Achieving Abundance dataset here.

Water Challenges

As reported by organizations on the Hub.

25.0%
Access to Water Supply and Water Services
25.0%
Physical water supply
12.5%
Influent
12.5%
Local Water Resource Governance
12.5%
Socioeconomic and Reputation
12.5%
Water Pricing

Country Overview

1.1.WATER RESOURCES 1.1.1.WATER RESOURCES Annual rainfall averages ~600mm, which equates to 1,668km3; however, about 83 per cent of this precipitation is lost through evapotranspiration and evaporation. Subsequently, internal renewable water resources are reduced to about 276km3. Runoff is also significant and is estimated at 814km3/year, of which 538km3 comes from contributions originating in basins from Paraguay and Uruguay. These statistics are general for the entire country; however, Argentina is a large country encompassing 2.7 million km2, with weather patterns and climates that vary greatly. For example, the eastern edges of the Andes mountains are dry and water scarcity and droughts are an ongoing issue. In the greater Buenos Aires which is a lowland area, water pollution from industrial effluents, stormwater and flooding and groundwater management are the major concerns. Down in the sparsely populated Patagonia region, where there are ample quantities of high-quality water, water resources management has fewer challenges. Important rivers of Argentina in terms of length and quantity of water conveyed and discharged include the Parana, Uruguay, and Negro rivers. The two largest rivers, the Parana and the Uruguay, originate in Brazil. The Uruguay runs north to south and forms a border with Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay. The Parana and the Uruguay form the Río de la Plata estuary. Only a few of the Argentine rivers, such as the Futaleufú, flow to the Pacific, while the majority of rivers originate on the eastern slopes of the Andes and run towards the Atlantic ocean. Argentina is home to at least three major endorheic basins or closed water drainage basins (i.e. water does not flow to the ocean). Both the northwest and southwest pampas basins in the dry pampas areas of Argentina and the Meseta Somuncura in the Patagonia region of Argentina are endorheic basins. Notable river basins under this classification include the Desaguadero river basin, which has great hydroelectric and irrigation significance. In times of great precipitation, its waters can actually reach the sea. The Desaguadero river basin includes the following tributaries: Jáchal, Mendoza, Tunuyán, Diamante and Atuel.

1.1.2.WATER USE Argentina has a long history of irrigation needs and usage. In 1909, the national government enacted the National Law of irrigation no. 6546, which prompted the creation of a large number of hydraulic works projects and the creation of new irrigation systems throughout Argentina. Decades later, the introduction of pumping equipment to the national market in the 1950s spurred changes in the irrigation landscape. Advances in irrigation equipment led to an increase in irrigated surface area while ushering in the systematization of such farming procedures as the application of water, the preparation of land and soil, the diversification of crops, and the introduction of spraying and localized irrigation techniques. This was all mostly due to the higher cost of water and the need to recover investments made in crop production while seeking higher profitability. The evolution of irrigation in Argentina has been discontinuous over recent decades. According to data compiled by the National Directorate of Water Resources in Argentina, estimated total coverage in 1970 was about 10,000km2, had increased to approximately 12,000km2 by 1988, and then had increased again to 21,000km2 by 1995. This figure for irrigated surface area in 1995 represented almost eight per cent of the total cultivated area in the country. Actual potential for irrigated land is much higher, at around 61,000km2, if soil qualities and water resources are taken into account. Around 44 per cent of the potential irrigated land is located in arid regions and 56 per cent in located in more humid areas of the country. Water resources are the limiting factor in scaled development in the irrigation sector in Argentina. It has been estimated that as much as 950,000km2 in Argentina have good soil but not enough water. Theoretically, hydroelectricity potential in Argentina has been estimated at 169,000GWh per year; the feasible potential is closer to 130,000GWh per year. Total installed hydro capacity is around 10,000MW across 35 locations throughout the country. Average annual power generation in Argentina is 32,000GWh per year, representing about 25 per cent of the feasible potential. Large bi-national hydro projects such as the Yacyretá and the Salto Grande substantially increase Argentina’s total power generation. During the early 1990s, Argentina began a thorough reform of its public sector, which included the restructuring and privatization of the electricity sector. Hydropower plants were no exception, as the primary hydroelectric plants were grouped into ‘business units’. These units are national concessions, with one to three power plants in each group. Notable exceptions to the privatization scheme, because they are bi-national, are again the Yacyretá and the Salto Grande power plants. Additionally, there were at least six hydroelectric power plants in the planning stages as of 2005, with a total power generation capacity of approximately 10,000GHw per year.

1.2.WATER QUALITY, ECOSYSTEMS AND HUMAN HEALTH Argentina’s major environmental problems are typical of an industrializing economy and include deforestation, soil degradation, desertification, air pollution and water pollution. Note: Argentina is a world leader in setting voluntary greenhouse gas targets. Water pollution from industrial effluents is a considerable challenge and the risk of continued contamination is very likely. The Government of Argentina (GoA) has a particular focus on the Country Overview - Argentina Matanza-Riachuelo river basin in Buenos Aires, where at least 50 industries are discharging ~95 per cent of the total load of contaminants into the Parana river. Pollution and overuse of the aquifer in Mendoza have become a problem where agriculture and industrial runoff and mismanagement of irrigation water has deteriorated the first levels of the aquifer. This has led to over-pumping and exploitation of deeper wells that reach the second and third layers of water. Older wells have been abandoned without being properly sealed, posing a risk of vertical filtration (i.e. contaminated water from higher levels filters down to lower levels) into deeper water tables from which farmers are pumping. Abandoned wells also result in fields becoming stagnant and barren, creating an economic loss for the region. Problems with water quality in lakes and reservoirs in Argentina have increased due to agricultural activities, deforestation, logging, animal production, mining activities, urban run-off, and the discharge of untreated sewage. As a result of these activities, many lakes and reservoirs are receiving high quantities of nutrients and are suffering from eutrophication. The increasing occurrence of algal blooms is evidence of this growing problem. Algal blooms occur especially in reservoirs and ponds, and are spread over at least twelve provinces of Argentina. Specifically, fifteen aquatic environments were identified as at high risk of poisoning by eutrophication. Water pollution typically occurs due to the discharge of effluent into water systems, improper landfill techniques, flooding of urban areas resulting in pollution from urban run-off, and agricultural practices. For example, the cities La Rioja and Catamarca have constraints on expansion of freshwater supplies, forcing the residents to use the only water they have available, even if it is contaminated. The lack of piped water and sewage can exacerbate the water pollution problem through excessive contamination from excrement. For example, in communities of 5,000- 10,000 residents and urban centres with 200,000-500,000 residents, 90 per cent and 60 per cent of residents, respectively, lack connection to sewers.

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Organizations in Argentina


Asegurar el acceso al agua de forma sostenible para el desarrollo humano, económico y ambiental, es nuestro propósito. Nuestra misión es desarrollar proyectos sustentables de agua para empresas, que generen impacto positivo en el negocio, en la eficiencia del recurso … Learn More

Alegria activity S.L. produces special purpose mobile units. These mobile units are special purpose vehicles used to deploy any kind of service directly and easily to any location and social community in order to conduct turn-key campaigns in HEALTH, EDUCATION, … Learn More

Anheuser-Busch InBev is a publicly traded company (Euronext: ABI) based in Leuven, Belgium, with American Depositary Receipts on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: BUD). With a portfolio of well over 200 beer brands, it is the leading global brewer, … Learn More

Antea Group is an international engineering and environmental consulting firm with access to more than 3,000 consultants in over 100 offices around the world. Our Sustainability Practice brings together management consultants and technical experts offering solutions from strategy through implementation … Learn More

The company was founded for this moment, on a combined conviction in the power of human ingenuity and the potential of practical action to solve the problems of the decisive decade, and make sustainability happen. We believe that productivity and … Learn More

A Tanzania consulting firm on development issues including water, sanitation, energy and climate change. Learn More

To generate maximum value for our customers, associates, communities and stockholders, satisfying our consumers’ expectations at all times with the highest quality products and services. Learn More

ASMAN Software Solutions Private Limited is a provider of cutting edge software consultancy, design and development services with headquarters in Hyderabad, India. The company made its inception into the IT arena in 2011 and offers a comprehensive range of Software … Learn More

El grupo Biosfera, es un think tank en investigacion de futuros sustentables. (BIOSFERA, INVESTIGACIÓN DE FUTUROS) es un equipo de análisis cuyo core business es la investigación prospectiva para la construcción de futuros deseables (futurables), asociados a la sustentabilidad (planeamiento … Learn More

Blue Planet Network provides a technology platform for funders to easily select, monitor, and manage WASH projects that have been peer reviewed and vetted for quality and sustainability. Each member project must pass a rigorous peer review and planning process … Learn More

Independent advisory company seeking to catalyse environmental investments Main focus areas within water issues: water and irrigation, water and sanitation, water and business risk Learn More

The Climate Connected Benefit Society is an industrial and provident society for the benefit of the community – a very simple funding vehicle, which allows ordinary, socially aware investors in the UK to put their capital to work in a … Learn More

Ingenieria y Consultoría Ambiental. Learn More

The Corporate Eco Forum (CEF) is an invitation-only membership organization for large companies that demonstrate a serious commitment to environment as a business strategy issue. CEF’s mission is to help accelerate sustainable business innovation by creating the best neutral space … Learn More

Main focus is SUDS retrofit to tackle flooding and water quality problems in the City of Coventry, UK, and to provide biodiversity and amenity benefits to wildlife and citizens. Coventry has Living Lab Status and the group includes Coventry University … Learn More

To create and implement innovative, environmentally friendly wastewater treatment and reuse solutions for any situation anywhere in the world. System O)) are various certified wastewater treatment solutions in terms of performance by the United States, Canada, Europe, and many others. … Learn More

“IC Medicals” and “ The Emission” are two genetically integrated global internet projects about informational copies of substances and biological objects. DST Foundation initiated the integration of these phenomenal projects in August 2009 as they both are based on usage … Learn More

French multinational food-products corporation based in Paris. With four business lines: Fresh Dairy products, Waters, Early Life Nutrition and Medical Nutrition. Our mission is to bring health by food to as many people as possible. Learn More

The Dow Chemical Company, commonly referred to as Dow, was an American multinational chemical corporation headquartered in Midland, Michigan, United States, and the predecessor of the merged company DowDuPont. Learn More

Earthwatch is an International NGO which focusses on scientific research and education about environmental issues. Earthwatch run FreshWater Watch, an employee engagement programme which raises awareness of fresh water issues through hands-on Citizen Science Leader training days. In addition to … Learn More

Developing European Environmental Policy The European Commission develops and implements EU policies by proposing laws to the European Parliament and Council of the European Union helping EU countries implement EU legislation managing the EU's budget and allocating funding ensuring that … Learn More

Future 500 is a non-profit consultancy that builds trust between companies, advocates, investors, and philanthropists to advance business as a force for good. Our organization formed in 1995 as a venue for corporations and environmental NGOs to debate the systemic … Learn More

Global Compact Local Network Learn More

Purpose of the organization is to promote socio, economic and cultural advancement of weaker sections by education, training, research and field action programs. Specific focus is to promote awareness on water sanitation among rural poor communities and help them to … Learn More

Currently celebrating its 42nd year, ICCR is the pioneer coalition of active shareholders who view the management of their investments as a catalyst for change. Its 300 member organizations with over $100 billion in AUM have an enduring record of … Learn More

IWMI is one of 15 international research centers supported by the network of 60 governments, private foundations and international and regional organizations collectively known as CGIAR. It is a non-profit organization with a staff of 350 and offices in over … Learn More

BETTER public private partnership, with partner company John Todd Ecological Design, involved in sustainable water and wastewater and waste to food design and project development worldwide. See www.betterp3.com and www.toddecological.com Learn More

Reshaping the value of water in food production. Learn More

Our purpose is to provide Better Care for a Better World. People around the globe benefit from our products in their day-to-day lives, but we know that millions still lack access to basic products that could dramatically improve their quality … Learn More

As we share our water with the entire planet, we feel that it is a precious resource. We monitor how we use water at our factories and are constantly working on ways to reduce our consumption of fresh water resources. … Learn More

NAQWA is a Russian company that develops and makes nano drinking water recoverers. Our product NAQWA SPRING Drinking Water Recoverer (NAQWA SWR, www.naqwa.com ) created and manufactured in Russia is intended to provide sustainable drinking water solutions first of all … Learn More

NVH's mission is to provide low cost, low energy solutions for sanitation and ground water pollution. NVH partners with the Indian Ministry of Defence Research Laboratory to commercialise for global use an effective biological process creating potable water as only … Learn More

MISIÓN: contribuir al desarrollo institucional del Sector de los Servicios Sanitarios trabajando sinérgicamente con los todos los actores que lo integran desde un enfoque de Gobernanza del Agua y bajo la guía de los Objetivos de Desarrollo Sostenible. En particular … Learn More

Water stewardship has long been one of PepsiCo’s top priorities, and it's an important part of building a Positive Value Chain. As one of the first companies of our size to acknowledge water as a human right, we have a … Learn More

The Sindh Irrigation and Drainage Authority (SIDA) is an autonomous organization, taking over the Sindh irrigation and drainage system from the Sindh Irrigation and Power Department. It was established in 1997, an innovative act to devolve power in the water … Learn More

We are Ukrainian company SOUZ-CONTINENT. Our company has advanced innovative, high-tech development projects to work with the water is getting the alternate energy and water purification. Very interested in mutually beneficial cooperation for the prosperity of the world community. Learn More

Crear material educativo ambiental infantil, cómo ser libros álbum ilustrados y juegos didácticos. Learn More

Christopher Gleadle brings Sustainability, and the Green Economy• to life and shows you how to capture, create and deliver more value: serve customers better, reduce costs and mitigate conspiring environmental and social risk to see opportunity for greater profit. His … Learn More

CAWST, the Centre for Affordable Water and Sanitation Technology, is a non-profit organization that provides training and consulting to organizations that work directly with populations in developing countries who lack access to clean water and basic sanitation. CAWST "walks beside" … Learn More

The Coca-ColaCompany is the world's largest beverage company. The purpose of company is to refresh the world and make a difference. Our vision is to craft the brands and choice of drinks that people love, to refresh them in body … Learn More

Trucost provides data and insight to help its clients understand the economic consequences of natural capital dependency. Our clients include companies and their advisors, the investment community, governments, academics and thought leaders. Learn More

UISCUMARR is an Industrial Association for the Cleaning Up of the Matanza-Riachuelo and Reconquista basins), It is a Civil non-profit making Association created by a group of industrialists concerned by solving environmental problems. Its main goal is to coordinate actions … Learn More

UTN es una institución educativa de nivel superior y posgrado y CONICET es el Consaejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas de Argentina. Learn More

VILLAGES UNIS est une ONG Suisse, reconnue d’utilité publique au N° 080.913007 date de la décision 18/12/2013 et basée dans la république et Canton de Genève Elle est active dans les domaines de la coopération au développement, à l'aide humanitaire … Learn More

Wastewater Exchange is the designer and the implementer of the Ethical Water Exchange (all rights reserved) transforming wastewater into commoditised treated wastewater for the good sake of our health, planet, economy &amp; water resources as common good. Learn More

Water Technologies International (GR8 Water) is engaged in the manufacture and distribution of technologically advanced Atmospheric Water Generators (AWG). These unique devices utilize a patent pending air purification input system to produce clean, great-tasting, safe water from the humidity in … Learn More

Wello is a social venture with a bold mission: to deliver clean water to a thirsty world. By reframing the water crisis as an opportunity, Wello has reinvented the wheel and developed an innovative and sustainable business model. THE WATERWHEEL … Learn More

Whirlpool Corporation is fiercely committed to helping our consumers improve their lives at home through the use of our products. We design our products with our consumers in mind—including innovative features that save time, reduce costs and lower their environmental … Learn More

Promoting the use of innovative water-from-air tech for evaporation and condensate recapture &amp; reuse by communities and businesses resiliently adapting to global warming and responding to disasters. In arid and drying regions lacking or losing surface and groundwaters, atmospheric (clean) … Learn More

El Pachón is a bi-national mining project located 3,600 metres above sea level in Argentina’s San Juan Province, five kilometres from the Chilean border. El Pachón is property of Xstrata Copper (www.xstratacopper.com), the world ́s fourth largest producer of copper … Learn More

People With Purpose Our world is constantly changing. So it's reassuring to know that there are some things we can always trust to help us take the best possible care of ourselves and the ones we love. This trust inspires … Learn More

Projects in Argentina


The project addresses the concrete urgence faced by 500 families in the polygon connecting General Pacheco (728 households - 4.328 inhab.) with Las Tunas 1 (749 - 3.745 inhab.) and 2 (337 - 1.685 inhab.) , located in Tigre, Province … Learn More

This project seeks to conserve and restore the Guanacache, Desaguadero, and del Bebedero wetlands of Mendoza, Argentina. These wetlands protect a system of chained lagoons and marshlands and are inhabited by approximately 2,000 people that have historically relied on the … Learn More

In Argentina, the Tucumán plant has a Meteorological station that continuously monitors the basin that supplies it with as temperature, pressure, and humidity readings. The data collected is shared with institutions such as the Faculty of Natural Sciences of the … Learn More

Facilitating the implementation of climate-resilient and low-carbon development aligned with national and global goals The NDC Action Project supports 10 partner countries to translate their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) into concrete sector strategies and actions ready for financing and implementation, … Learn More

The Oxapampa Ash‡ninka Yaneshas (RBOAY) Biosphere Reserve is threatened by deforestation due to agrigulture, coca cultivation, timber, and cattle grazing. This negatively impacts the ecosystem, the capacity of the water systems, and rural populations. The project seeks to contribute to … Learn More

Project WET is currently active in more than 75 countries around the world through a network of partner organizations that range from small NGOs to major international corporations and organizations. We only go where we’re invited! We work with our … Learn More

This proposal outlines an intended partnership between Coca-Cola’s South Latin Business Unit and TNC, to contribute towards water security collaboratively by investing in watershed management activities and the development of collective action mechanisms in the source watersheds of four cities … Learn More

In GB, together with The Rivers Trust we are working to implement a series of critical nature-based solutions, which will replenish water in some of the most water stressed areas. Funded by the Coca-Cola Foundation, the three-year programme will support … Learn More

This project consisted of suppression of anthropogenic forest fires within La Calera Reserve, which serves as a recharge area for the City of Cordoba's water source. Learn More

Provide education and technology necessary for the use, care, and safe access to water for vulnerable communities. Learn More

Electrolux tracks and follows water consumption on a monthly basis, and has implemented a water best practice toolbox. Electrolux has carried out a water risk study based WWFs water risk filter, to identify sites where water shortages pose risks to … Learn More


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