If you live in Uruguay, you know that water is no small issue: it's the foundation of your daily life and also of the economy. Representative Gustavo Salle brought the issue back to the forefront of Parliament, asserting that it's a vital geostrategic that politics has ignored for more than half a century.
Salle was categorical: while the population depends on the water from the Santa Lucía River, the source is compromised by pollution and poorly designed projects such as Neptuno and Casupá , both of which have been questioned by environmental organizations and social sectors.
Criticism of the Neptune and Casupá projects
The legislator pointed out that neither the current nor previous governments were able to respond to the water crisis. In his speech, he denounced the following:
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The Neptune contract was "poorly signed" and opens the door to international lawsuits against the State.
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Casupá project does not solve the underlying problems and continues to rely on a contaminated source.
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Public investment was directed toward projects with no real impact on water, such as the Antel Arena, instead of prioritizing water infrastructure.
According to Salle, these are short-term political decisions that neglect the security of a vital resource.
The role of corporations and the threat of UPM
One of the harshest accusations targeted large corporations. For Salle, multinationals covet Uruguayan water and, in some cases, are already creating real risks. He mentioned that the UPM train crosses the Santa Lucía River carrying hazardous materials, which could lead to an environmental disaster if a spill were to occur.
In this way, he linked the water issue with national sovereignty , warning that the privatization or foreign control of water would leave the country in a situation of extreme vulnerability.
Criticism of the Broad Front and the multi-color coalition
The speech did not exclude any political sector. Salle recalled that during the three Broad Front administrations, no progress was made on key projects to ensure drinking water, despite available resources.
On the side of the multi-color coalition, he criticized the current administration for its lack of transparency , stating that the minister talked a lot but failed to answer crucial questions about the future of water.
For the deputy, the problem is not one party, but a political class that treats the issue with politicking and revenge .
The Santa Lucía: a river in emergency
One of the strongest points of the speech was the critical state of the Santa Lucía River , the main source of water for Montevideo and much of the country.
Salle recalled that he had already filed a criminal complaint against OSE in 2014 for the mismanagement of toxic sludge dumped in the basin. Ten years later, the situation has not only not improved, but has actually worsened , jeopardizing national water security.
Salle's Call: A State Policy
The congressman called for Uruguay to develop a long-term state policy on water. For him, it's not about being an engineer or a specialist: common sense is enough to understand that if we continue to depend on a contaminated source, the country will be on the brink of an irreversible crisis.
The key, according to Salle, is to seek alternative sources, invest seriously, and eliminate opaque contracts that jeopardize the future.
