“While the Network Pipe does Arrive, the Water doesn't”. Towards a Political Ecology of Water in Chaco Salteño, Argentina

Abstract

In Argentina, the Chaco region is an extensive geographic area with large amounts of water running through it and involved in the expansion of extractive frontiers with great social and environmental impact. Based on contributions of political ecology of water and water justice, the article aims to incorporate the hydric perspective to foregoing reflections in the province of Salta. The methodological strategy is based on the collection and analysis of secondary sources, together with in-depth interviews. We differentiate two scenarios that pose different dilemmas and challenges regarding water resources management: access to water and its distribution on one hand, and scarcity and/or hydric excess on the other. In both cases, it's interesting to analyze how environmental burdens are distributed and to explore the upcoming conflicts and controversies regarding causes and possible solutions.