The National Commission in Defense of Water and Life (CNDAV), made up by the groups working in defense of water, was the promoter of the reform in 2004 and today they will celebrate near the University of the Republic, in Montevideo, capital city of the country. Videos will be broadcast and people will be given publications and brochures.

“Nevertheless, it is also a day to remember we should remain alert: the rapid advance of agribusiness in the country, especially soy and forestry (and the agrotoxics involved), put the quality and quantity of our water directly at risk, even in some of the most important sources”, read a press release issued yesterday by REDES-Friends of the Earth Uruguay, member of the CNDAV. "The absence of studies and even a commitment by the state with a transnational corporation are worsening the situation. The social and environmental consequences could be serious, without wanting to sound alarmist", added the environmentalist organization.

The CNDAV is demanding the statization of company Aguas de la Costa in Maldonado department, which is partly controlled by a private company (Seinco), which is unconstitutional. The movements and social organizations are also demanding citizen participation mechanisms at national level around water management, to comply with the reform of 2004.

REDES-FoE highlighted the new challenges imposed by the national production model on water management. "Forestry monocultures destined to the cellulose industry cover over one million hectares and put water sources at risk. Tree plantations consume large amounts of water with negative effects on other production sectors, such as milk production. Family farmers from several departments have denounced this", stated the Uruguayan organization in their press release.

Soy covers over one million hectares in the country and the agrotoxics used in agribusiness in general affect water sources, according to small producers. Several communities are concerned over the effects of these poisons in their health.

“The state is not conducting studies to determine the consequences of the production practices of the country on the health of the population. It hasn’t researched the effects on the water sources either”, regretted REDES-FoE.

According to this organization which is part of the federation Friends of the Earth International, some decisions of the Uruguayan government bring even more doubts over the future of water in the country. The environmental activists are particularly concerned over the consequences of the Investment Agreement signed between Uruguay and company Montes del Plata (a consortium made up by Chilean company Arauco and Swedish-Finish Stora Enso), which is installing a cellulose plant in Punta Pereira, Colonia department. This agreement establishes the possibility of Montes del Plata accessing forestry plantations in a 200km-radio from Punta Pereira.

The document establishes that lands with a forestry aptitude of 5.02b will be used. The Santa Lucia River Basin supplies water to over 60% of the Uruguayan population. According to a study by REDES-FoE and Programa Uruguay Sustentable, if all lands that comply with this 5.02b feature are forested, then 44.4 per cent of the Santa Lucia River basin would be under the forestry priority regime. "The possibility of substituting grasslands with forestry monoculture plantations would be seriously risking the capacity of the basin to supply drinking water to the Metropolitan area in Uruguay", concluded the study.

REDES-FoE supported the demand by CNDAV for the University of the Republic to monitor the effects of monoculture plantations and agrotoxics on water sources. They also think it is necessary to report on the situation of Guarani and Raigon aquifers. "These studies should be made public to the population and constitute the basis of a debate about the present and future of our natural resources, especially water, an essential element for life", adds the press release by the environmentalist organization.

Several social organizations of Uruguay are worried about the possible implementation in the country of a mining project, something they consider another serious threat to water sources. "It is time the state acts to ensure that the quality and quantity of our water are not put at risk by the production model", concluded REDES-FoE.

Photo: http://www.rel-uita.org