Regulatory framework
The purpose of this Law is to regulate the sustainable and comprehensive management of all waters and the territories that produce them, regardless of their location, physical state or natural occurrence within the Paraguayan territory, in order to make them socially, economically and environmentally sustainable. for the people who inhabit the territory of the Republic of Paraguay.
It contains strategic actions and prioritized activities to respond to the challenges of managing water resources in Paraguay.
Establishes, in Article 7, the right of every person to live in a healthy and ecologically balanced environment. It mentions that the preservation, conservation, recomposition and improvement of the environment, as well as its reconciliation with integral human development, constitute priority objectives of social interest. These purposes will guide legislation and government policy for natural resources, including water.
Law 1,183/85. It establishes that surface waters are public domain, rainwater, surface waters, stagnant waters, channels, banks, etc., without mentioning the ownership of groundwater. Law 2559/05 that modifies section B) of article 1898 of law No. 1,183/85 Civil Code, which establishes the public domain of groundwater.
Law 1,160-97. This law punishes attempted crimes, as well as culpable conduct. It defines in the Second Book, Title III, Chapter I, “Acts punishable against the natural bases of human life” different activities susceptible to sanctions of imprisonment or fine, such as the fouling or alteration of waters (Art. 197º ), air pollution (Art. 198), mistreatment of soil (Art. 199), illicit processing of waste (Art. 200), entry of harmful substances into the national territory (Art. 201) and damage to natural reserves (Art. 201º
Law 1,248/31 Establishes the legal regime, conditions and procedures for the use of public waters in rural areas.
Law 836/80 This code regulates the functions of the State in relation to the comprehensive health care of the people and the rights and obligations of people in the areas.
Institutional Framework
It is the governing entity in the formulation and implementation of environmental policies. It is an entity whose function and purposes are the formulation of policies, coordination, supervision, execution of environmental actions, plans, programs and projects framed in the National Environmental Plan. Development, referring to the preservation, conservation, recomposition and management of natural resources.
Manages the management of water resources in MADES. Formulate, coordinate and evaluate policies for the maintenance and conservation of water resources and their basins, ensuring the renewal process, the maintenance of the basic flows of water currents, the capacity of recharge of aquifers, care for the different uses and exploitation of water resources; preserving the ecological balance.
The SEAM Environment Secretariat is the authority for the direct application of various environmental laws and in coordination with other competent institutions of other laws. Likewise, you have the right to create resolutions that favor management.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock is the body in charge of the functions and powers related to the conceptual and physical space within which the State's agricultural and livestock activities are carried out.
Despite its great water resources, according to the Global Water Partnership (GWP), Paraguay is the country with the least water security in South America, which means that it cannot guarantee access to quality and quantity of water to the entire population.According to data provided by the Directorate of Potable Water and Sanitation (DAPSAN), there is 89% coverage of improved water in the country, while the coverage of water networks is 88.2%.Paraguay is an agro-exporting country.
Paraguay
Links of interest:
According to data from the Ministry of Agriculture, in 2022 it had just over 13 million head of cattle, had a production of 10 million tons of soybeans, 6 million tons of corn and about one million tons of rice. The water requirement for these productions exceeds, by far, any of the other economic activities developed in the country. Paraguayan agriculture and livestock consume 68% of the country's total freshwater.