Process for the formation of the public agenda of the water problem in El Salvador: actors, arguments and alternative solutions

Abstract

The lack of access to drinking water, the pollution of rivers and the conflicts of interest make El Salvador one of the most vulnerable countries in Latin America in relation to the water problem. This situation is aggravated by the fact that there is no law in the country that establishes this resource as a right and, consequently, its effective protection. This research aims to analyze the process of public agenda formation and the construction of public policy alternatives to the water problem in El Salvador. The methodology used to prepare the work is qualitative, are analyzed official documents and semi-structured interviews are carried out with the public and private actors involved in this problem. Through the analysis of the interviews, it was possible to establish that the actors argue three types of causes of the water problem in El Salvador, lack of public management, environmental issues and economic interests. On the other hand, the actors mention three types of possible solutions related to the establishment of a regulatory framework on water, effective environmental policies, as well as an investment policy in infrastructure. In addition, through the analysis of official documents it was perceived that all the proposals aim, on the one hand, to regulate water management and, even, to establish a regulatory framework and, on the other, to establish the principles on the consideration of water as a human right and essential access.