Court Rejects AySA's Appeal
The Second Chamber of the Administrative Litigation Appeals Court in La Plata rejected an extraordinary appeal filed by AySA, the state-run water and sanitation company, and upheld the injunction that prevents its privatization. The court found the appeal inadmissible because cautelary measures do not constitute a definitive sentence, a requirement for such extraordinary challenges. The ruling was signed unanimously by the tribunal.[S1][S2][S3]
The injunction was originally sought by Buenos Aires Province Ombudsman Guido Lorenzino, who argued that the restructuring and privatization process posed an imminent risk of service deterioration and the abandonment of planned works. The measure ordered AySA to refrain from any act that would modify, reduce, limit, alter, suspend, or diminish its obligations regarding drinking water, public health, a healthy environment, and adequate service provision. The case was also transferred to the federal courts in La Plata.[S2][S3]
Privatization Process Continues
Despite the injunction, the government of President Javier Milei has continued to advance the privatization. The Ministry of Economy recently opened the technical bids to define the company's future operation. The contest for the concession has polarized between two main private actors: Grupo Roggio and a consortium led by businessman Mauricio Filiberti, known as the Chlorine King. Behind Filiberti's bid, brothers Juan and Patricio Neuss are reportedly operating camouflaged, and they are seen as the government's favorites to take control of the water and sanitation service.[S1][S2]
The disputed concession contract, signed in May 2026, is part of the privatization process established by the Bases Law, which declared AySA subject to privatization. Decree 494 then enabled the procedure to transfer 90% of the company's share capital to the private sector. AySA is currently under majority control of the national state. The Ombudsman challenged the new contract, arguing that its provisions reduced environmental, health, and user protection standards. The case covers potable water and sewage services in the 26 municipalities of the metropolitan area where AySA operates.[S3]
