Residents living near the Río de la Plata basin have raised alarm over deteriorating water quality, describing it as an 'open-air sewer'. Attorney Fernando Montichelli, who initiated a lawsuit against the provincial government, highlighted the drastic decline in water quality over the last fifty years, recalling how the river was once suitable for swimming. He pointed to the presence of garbage, unbearable odors, and visible fecal matter, particularly alarming given the proximity to a drinking water intake point.

Montichelli and other local activists are frustrated with the government’s inaction regarding environmental contaminants and unfinished infrastructure projects aimed at ameliorating the situation. The residents argue that their pleas for help have often gone unheard, leading to a cumulative sense of neglect. Despite the ongoing legal battles, the situation remains dire, with severe implications for public health and local ecosystems.

This issue not only affects the immediate community but raises broader questions about environmental management in Argentina's urban areas. With increasing public outcry and legal pressure on officials, the issue of sewage treatment and pollution control has entered the political agenda, potentially influencing future policy decisions and governmental accountability in environmental matters.