El Salvador's Pollution Crisis: A Dire Situation

El Salvador is facing a severe water crisis, with a large percentage of its water supply contaminated and unsafe to drink. The country's water sources have decreased due to climate change, deforestation, and poor governance, leaving many communities without access to clean water. The COVID-19 pandemic has further highlighted the water crisis, with thousands of Salvadorans struggling to access water during the health crisis. In addition to water pollution, El Salvador also faces air pollution and waste management issues, with hazardous chemicals often ending up in illegal dumps and affecting the health of locals and the environment. The government has committed to addressing these issues and improving waste management and air quality, but the country's future remains uncertain as it grapples with the interconnected challenges of pollution, climate change, and water scarcity.

Water pollution is caused by climate change, deforestation, and government policy

El Salvador is facing a severe water crisis, with more than 60% of its available water being polluted. This crisis is caused by a combination of factors, including climate change, deforestation, and government policy.

Climate Change

Climate change is causing more sudden and intense rainfalls in El Salvador, leading to a water paradox. The rains are too heavy and too fast for the hard-packed soil to absorb, resulting in deadly floods that displace residents. Additionally, climate variability and rising sea levels further compound the water crisis in the country.

Deforestation

Deforestation is another significant contributor to water pollution in El Salvador. The overharvesting of forests for timber and the expansion of industries into pristine lands have put immense pressure on rural communities that depend on the resources found in the country's forests. Deforestation has also led to the endangerment and relocation of many unique animal species in El Salvador.

Government Policy

Poor governance and weak regulation of water use have also played a role in the water crisis. The General Water Law, passed by the Salvadoran government, has been criticized for prioritizing commercial and industrial water use over the needs of communities, especially in poorer and more malnourished areas. Fragmented water management and a lack of institutional structures to regulate water have further exacerbated the issue.

The combination of these factors has left many rural communities in El Salvador without access to clean water, forcing them to rely on surface water or travel long distances to fetch drinking water. The country's main watercourse, the Lempa River, is rapidly degrading, and the situation is expected to worsen with the effects of climate change.

Poor governance and industrial overexploitation have left many without access to water

El Salvador is experiencing one of the worst water crises in Central America. Poor governance, industrial overexploitation, and pollution have left many without access to water. In 2020, more than 1.6 million people had to leave their homes to fetch drinking water. The country's main watercourse, the Lempa River, is rapidly degrading.

The water crisis in El Salvador is a result of several factors, including poor governance, industrial overexploitation, and pollution. Poor governance has led to a lack of regulation and ineffective water management. For example, the General Water Law, driven by the Salvadoran government, has been criticized for prioritizing commercial and industrial water use over the needs of communities for safe water and sanitation. In many areas, the exploitation of aquifers and river basins by multinational corporations, which local farmers call "death projects," has worsened the water crisis, and the government has failed to address this issue.

Industrial overexploitation has also played a significant role in the water crisis. Multinational corporations have exploited the country's aquifers and river basins, leading to overexploitation of water resources and degradation of water quality. This has particularly affected rural communities, where poor governance and industrial activities have left them without access to safe water. In some cases, communities have had to organize themselves to guarantee their access to water, as seen in the El Rodeo community, which has inspired other communities in the country.

Additionally, pollution has contaminated water sources, making them unsafe for consumption. A 2020 report by the Salvadoran Ministry of the Environment revealed that 71% of Salvadoran river waters are qualified as bad, and 7.4% as poor. Deforestation, burning fossil fuels, and climate change have also contributed to the water pollution problem, as they have disrupted the country's climate balance and reduced the earth's ability to absorb water. As a result, the water quality in El Salvador is inadequate, and thousands of Salvadorans are dealing with limited or no access to water, which has been particularly visible during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The recovery of the natural water cycle is fundamental to empowering rural communities through its management. Ancestral cultures respected and followed the water cycle in their daily activities, and recovering this relationship with the environment is possible through various projects. Governance must consider the cultural wealth of those most in need and prioritize efficient water management as a human right.

The Lempa River, El Salvador's main watercourse, is rapidly degrading

El Salvador is facing a severe water crisis, with more than 60% of its available water being polluted. The Lempa River, the country's main watercourse, is rapidly degrading, and this has sparked fears of an exodus of people, further aggravating the existing migratory crisis in Central America.

The Lempa River is El Salvador's lifeblood, with over three-quarters of the population depending on it for drinking water, agriculture, and energy production. However, according to OWSD Early Career fellow Violeta Martínez, the river is dangerously polluted. Martínez has been studying pollution in the Lempa River since 2021, and her research revealed the presence of emerging contaminants in the water. She encountered challenges due to the lack of equipment and resources in El Salvador for such analyses. However, through collaboration with foreign institutions, she was able to obtain the necessary tools for her research.

The degradation of the Lempa River is attributed to various factors. One significant concern is the overexploitation of river basins and aquifers by multinational corporations, which local farmers refer to as "death projects." The government's lack of response to this issue has worsened the water crisis. Additionally, the lifting of the mining ban by the authoritarian leader Nayib Bukele has sparked protests from environmentalists and the Catholic Church, who fear the detrimental effects of mining on the country's waterways. The costs of cleaning contaminated soil and water can be astronomical, and the damage caused by mining may be irreversible.

Furthermore, climate change and deforestation have also contributed to the river's degradation. El Salvador is the second most deforested country in Latin America, with almost 85% of its forest cover lost since the 1960s. Deforestation has accelerated soil erosion, negatively impacting the water sources that feed the Lempa River. The country's high population density, with approximately 311 inhabitants per square kilometer, further exacerbates the problem.

The government of El Salvador has recognized the urgency of the situation and is taking steps to address the water pollution crisis. They are working with the Chemicals and Waste Management Programme to strengthen the country's institutions and improve the management of chemicals and waste. Additionally, they plan to create a national register of activities that use hazardous substances, improve waste management, and prohibit the use of equipment containing mercury. While these efforts are encouraging, the success of these initiatives remains to be seen, and the river continues to degrade in the interim.

The government is working with the Chemicals and Waste Management Programme to strengthen institutions and waste management

El Salvador is facing a severe water crisis, with 80% of its territory under water stress and over 60% of available water contaminated. The country's water sources have decreased due to factors such as poor governance, industrial overexploitation, pollution, and the climate crisis. Deforestation, burning fossil fuels, and a lack of regulations have contributed to climate change, affecting water quality and availability.

To address these issues, the government of El Salvador is working with the Chemicals and Waste Management Programme on a three-year project to strengthen institutions and waste management. This project aims to improve the country's regulatory framework, ban substances, and prohibit equipment containing mercury. El Salvador will also improve waste management and prevent exposure to pollutants, with a focus on hazardous waste. The Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources is dedicated to restoring the environment and reducing socio-environmental risks through citizen engagement and inter-institutional coordination.

As part of this initiative, El Salvador will create a national register of industries, commerce, and services that use hazardous substances. This database will be accessible to government institutions, enabling monitoring and ensuring proper management and disposal of chemicals and waste. Additionally, an electronic platform will track the import and export of hazardous waste, aiding authorities in surveillance and maintaining information exchange between different national authorities.

The project has a strong gender focus, providing training and awareness on gender equality for those involved in environmental activities. It also promotes financing for conservation projects led by women. By involving all relevant stakeholders, El Salvador aims to transform its chemicals and waste management programme, strengthening institutions and improving protocols and environmental policies.

Furthermore, El Salvador is committed to combating illegal dumps and has approved a national waste management improvement plan. This plan includes a decentralized and economically viable waste management system with extended landfills and a facility for transfer, composting, and waste separation. Local staff are being trained to ensure sustainable waste management, and environmental awareness is being raised among the wider population.

The government's pro-mining stance has been criticised for threatening water sources

El Salvador is facing a severe water crisis, with 80% of its territory under water stress and over 60% of its available water deemed unsafe to drink by international standards. The country's main watercourse, the Lempa River, is rapidly degrading, and the problem is only worsening with time.

The government's pro-mining stance has been a subject of intense criticism and sparked widespread protests from environmentalists, conservationists, and local communities. In December 2024, the government reversed a landmark ban on mining, granting itself exclusive control over mining activities, particularly targeting the country's vast gold reserves. This decision has been denounced as a "disaster" for El Salvador's fragile ecosystems and water sources.

The potential impacts of mining on water sources are significant. The use of chemicals like cyanide and arsenic in mining processes poses a severe threat to freshwater sources, including the Lempa River, which provides over 60% of the country's freshwater. Arsenic levels in the San Sebastián River, for example, have been recorded at 300 times the international safety standards, turning the water a poisonous red.

The government has argued that its decision to lift the mining ban is necessary to boost revenue and provide clean water access to its citizens. However, critics argue that the government's control over mining activities will make it challenging to hold projects accountable for any negative environmental and health impacts. Furthermore, the government's General Water Law has been criticized for prioritizing commercial and industrial water use over the needs of communities, particularly in poorer and more malnourished areas.

The situation is further exacerbated by other factors, including poor governance, industrial overexploitation, waste mismanagement, and climate change. El Salvador is the second most deforested country in Latin America, and increased deforestation has accelerated soil erosion, adversely affecting water sources. While the government has committed to improving waste management and reducing pollution, critics argue that stronger regulations and a more balanced approach to water management are necessary to protect the country's water sources and the health of its citizens.

Frequently asked questions