La reestatización de un servicio esencial en el área metropolitana de Buenos Aires. El caso de la empresa agua y saneamientos argentinos S.A. (AYSA) (2006–2018)

Abstract

After more than 10 years of the creation of Aguas y Saneamientos Argentinos S.A. (AySA), this article analyzes the re–nationalization of the drinking water and sanitation services of the Metropolitan Area of Buenos Aires, based on the study of its performance since 2006. What sort of characteristics did State management adopt? Was the concept of efficiency reconciled with the State duty to guarantee the access to an essential service? The first inquiries seem to show that State management privileged the maintenance and expansion of services over the economic results of the company. Given the change of National Government in December 2015, the continuities and ruptures with the previous period are also addressed. The analysis is based on official documents, legislation and statistics, company balance sheets and reports, newspaper articles and semi–structured interviews. This article provides empirical evidence on how State ownership works in an essential public utility.