The norm, in detail
AySA up for bid: the State sells 90% to a private operator
Res. 704/2026 MECON (Official Gazette, May 15, 2026)
in executionNATIONAL
State, institutions and security
What changed and who it applies to
What changed
Art. 1 authorizes the call for National and International Public Bid, Multiple Stage, No. 504/2-0003-LPU26, WITH NO FLOOR PRICE, for the sale to ONE (1) Strategic Operator of 90% of the National State's shares in Agua y Saneamientos Argentinos S.A. (AySA); the remaining 10% stays with employees via the Employee Stock Ownership Program (PPP). Enabling framework: Law 27,742 (declares AySA subject to privatization), Decree 494/2025 (authorizes full privatization), Law 23,696 (arts. 17-18) and the regulatory framework of Law 26,221 as amended by Decrees 493 and 805/2025. The sale operates under the new Concession Contract executed May 7, 2026 (Res. 543/2026 MECON), which sets the regulatory-tariff framework for the private operator. Timeline per the resolution: questions on the bidding terms until Aug 12, 2026 (10:00), bid submission until Aug 27, 2026 (09:59) and Stage 1 opening on Aug 27, 2026 (10:00). The exact number of municipalities in the service area is not stated in the resolution. verif · May 15, 2026 ↗
In force
2026-05-15 (bid opening: Aug 27, 2026) verif · May 15, 2026 ↗
Who it affects
Domestic and international strategic water-and-sanitation operators; AySA employees (they retain 10% via the employee stock ownership program (PPP); headcount ~6,000 per press reports); users in Buenos Aires City and Greater Buenos Aires; SMEs and contractors in the sanitation ecosystem (works, metering, treatment chemicals, engineering), which now face a private counterparty with a capex mindset. prob · May 15, 2026 ↗
The norm
Resolución 704/2026 of the Ministry of Economy, signed by Caputo on May 14, 2026 and published in the BO on May 15, 2026. The process runs through CONTRAT.AR with international publication (DGMARKET/World Bank). verif · May 15, 2026 ↗
Our reading
The State steps away from the country's largest water utility and hands it to a strategic operator under clear concession rules: less deficit, more private investment in sanitation infrastructure, and a supplier chain with a counterparty that invests for returns. The flagship privatization of the Ley Bases, under way (R2 · the RIGI promise is kept). thesis
Where it lands, province by province
Applies the same nationwide
We looked at this rule from each of the five provinces we track and found no effect that lands differently in any of them: it applies the same across the country.
The other rules on this subject22
Property shield: expropriating costs more, evicting is fasterBill PE-13/2026 (Message 22/26) — majority committee report in the Senatepending
Ignacio Aredez· Chief analyst
Credentials and track record →
Weekly newsletter · free
Get on board the takeoff
This week’s updates: reforms, RIGI and verified program data and new provinces as they launch. Free.
no spam
we read every one
Fact sheet built on the published rule, with the gaps declared. Back to the reforms
How to read the seals → verif primary source · prob primary source pending · unconf not sufficiently backed · estim our own calculation · thesis our reading