UN experts urge Uruguay to prioritise water use for human consumption

A Considerable Increase in Salinity Levels Affecting Potable Water Quality in Uruguay, Warns UN Experts

GENEVA (13 July 2023) – UN experts have issued a warning today, highlighting a significant increase in salinity levels that are affecting the quality of potable water in Uruguay. According to the experts, this continuous decline in water quality due to increased salinity levels is alarming and has a substantial impact on vulnerable groups, including children and adolescents, pregnant women, and individuals with chronic diseases.

Concerns over Water Privatization and Access

Health authorities in Uruguay have acknowledged the risk and advised vulnerable groups to purchase bottled water for drinking. However, the experts express concern that this creates a de facto water privatization for human consumption, forcing the population to buy water. They emphasize that this poses a challenge for individuals who cannot afford to purchase water and those with disabilities or reduced mobility who are unable to carry water.

“We acknowledge the government’s efforts to reduce water taxes. However, further measures need to be implemented to ensure that everyone can access the water necessary for life,” state the experts.

Disparity in Water Consumption Restrictions

While the government has recommended reducing household water consumption, these restrictions do not apply to large-scale consumers, including industries that use water for production. The experts warn that this exacerbates the underlying problem caused by the salinity factor, which is the over-exploitation of water by certain industries in the country.

“Uruguay must prioritize human consumption, as indicated by international human rights standards,” emphasize the experts.

Water as a Human Right

For years, experts have been warning that granting concessions to water-intensive industries would lead to water pollution and shortages in Uruguay. They highlight that water for human consumption represents only 5% of the total supply of drinking water, making the failure to prioritize its use unacceptable.

The experts emphasize that the human right to water implies that it must be physically accessible, free of pollutants, and managed sustainably, while respecting human dignity, equality, and non-discrimination.

“Businesses, including state-owned enterprises, have a responsibility to respect human rights at all times, and states have an obligation to ensure the protection of this right by guaranteeing universal access to safe drinking water, even during emergencies,” state the experts.

Engagement with the Government

The experts have already reached out to the Government of Uruguay to address these issues and find solutions.

ENDS

• The experts:

1. Pedro Arrojo-Agudo, Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
2. Damilola Olawuyi (Chair), Robert McCorquodale (Vice-Chair), Fernanda Hopenhaym, Elżbieta Karska, and Pichamon Yeophantong, Working Group on Business and Human Rights

Special Rapporteurs are part of what is known as the Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council. Special Procedures is the largest body of independent experts in the UN Human Rights system and consists of independent fact-finding and monitoring mechanisms that address specific country situations or thematic issues worldwide. Special Procedures’ experts work voluntarily and are independent of any government or organization.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

   • Target 6.1: By 2030, achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all.
   • Indicator 6.1.1: Proportion of population using safely managed drinking water services.
   • Indicator 6.1.2: Proportion of population with access to safely managed sanitation services.

2. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

   • Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status.
   • Indicator 10.2.1: Proportion of people living below 50 percent of median income, by age, sex, and persons with disabilities.

3. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

   • Target 12.4: By 2020, achieve the environmentally sound management of chemicals and all wastes throughout their life cycle, in accordance with agreed international frameworks, and significantly reduce their release to air, water, and soil in order to minimize their adverse impacts on human health and the environment.
   • Indicator 12.4.1: Number of parties to international multilateral environmental agreements on hazardous waste, and other chemicals that meet their commitments and obligations in transmitting information as required by each relevant agreement.

Analysis

1. SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

   The article highlights the issue of declining water quality in Uruguay due to increased salinity levels, which affects over 60 percent of the population. This directly relates to SDG 6, which aims to ensure access to clean water and sanitation for all. The target under this SDG that can be identified is Target 6.1, which focuses on achieving universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all. The indicators mentioned in the article that can measure progress towards this target are Indicator 6.1.1, which measures the proportion of the population using safely managed drinking water services, and Indicator 6.1.2, which measures the proportion of the population with access to safely managed sanitation services.

2. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

   The article highlights the impact of the declining water quality on vulnerable groups, such as children, adolescents, pregnant women, and people suffering from chronic diseases. This relates to SDG 10, which aims to reduce inequalities within and among countries. The specific target under this SDG that can be identified is Target 10.2, which focuses on empowering and promoting the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion, or economic or other status. The indicator mentioned in the article that can measure progress towards this target is Indicator 10.2.1, which measures the proportion of people living below 50 percent of median income, by age, sex, and persons with disabilities.

3. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

   The article mentions the over-exploitation of water by some industries in Uruguay, which exacerbates the problem of declining water quality. This relates to SDG 12, which aims to ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns. The specific target under this SDG that can be identified is Target 12.4, which focuses on achieving the environmentally sound management of chemicals and all wastes throughout their life cycle. The indicator mentioned in the article that can measure progress towards this target is Indicator 12.4.1, which measures the number of parties to international multilateral environmental agreements on hazardous waste and other chemicals that meet their commitments and obligations in transmitting information as required by each relevant agreement.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

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Source: ohchr.org

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