Alert: 1 in 10 Argentines lack access to safe drinking water. A report by Frost & Sullivan in collaboration with IFAT Brazil also reveals that only 36.5% of wastewater in Argentina is safely treated.
Only 36.5% of wastewater in Argentina is safely treated, according to a report by Frost & Sullivan in collaboration with IFAT Brazil (International Trade Fair for Water, Wastewater, Drainage and Waste Recovery Solutions). In addition, water losses in the distribution process are as high as 40%.
The study points out that one in ten Argentines does not have access to drinking water (9.9%). However, the country stands out in terms of wastewater treatment, with 99.62% of the population having access to it.
Despite the high percentage of access to improved sanitation, 6 out of 10 Argentines still do not receive safe treatment, which affects not only Argentina’s economy and sustainable development, but also the health of the population. “We hope that the dissemination of this information will be the starting point for the restructuring of public policies and new investments in the sector”, said Rolf Pickert, CEO of Messe München Brazil, organiser of IFAT Brazil, the largest international trade fair for environmental technologies in Latin America.
According to Fredrick Royan, Global Practice Area Leader for Sustainability and Circular Economy (SCE) at Frost & Sullivan, the study includes detailed data from Argentina and other South American countries, helping to provide “reliable, real-time data” for “efficiency improvements and informed decision-making affecting processes related to water, energy and materials”.
“By analysing regional trends, technological advances and disparities, this information aims to empower individuals and professionals – from policy makers to industry stakeholders – to increase productivity,” says Royan.
What about water opportunities?
The report also highlights that in 2022, Argentina’s water and wastewater market will generate revenues of $4.43 billion; 71% of this amount will come from the municipal sector, while the remaining 29% will come from the industrial sector.
According to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank, Argentina’s gross domestic product (GDP) is expected to reach $574.2 billion in 2025, growing by 24.3% to $713.9 billion by 2029.
Argentina’s economy is made up of 53.1% of GDP from the services sector, 25.1% from industry and 5.9% from agriculture. This economic growth reflects the potential of the domestic market and the opportunities for the water treatment and sanitation sector.
The need to develop infrastructure, reduce wastage in distribution and meet the target for expansion in wastewater treatment are paving the way for projects to modernise and expand supply and treatment networks.
