During 2025, the Ecuadorian government conducted 683 technical inspections across the country to check water quality and prevent risks to public health. These efforts were carried out by the Agency for Water Regulation and Control (ARCA) as part of ongoing oversight.
As a result of these inspections, authorities issued 22 administrative sanctions in eight provinces: Azuay, Esmeraldas, Galápagos, Guayas, Imbabura, Napo, Santa Elena, and Zamora Chinchipe. The total amount of fines reached USD 885,952. The violations included improper discharges of wastewater and damage to rivers, aquifers, and other public water bodies.
These measures are part of the government’s responsibility to regulate drinking water and sanitation services. The aim is to ensure that treatment systems operate correctly and prevent untreated discharges that could threaten communities or ecosystems.
Between January 2025 and January 2026, inspections identified several cases of non-compliant discharges. In Cuenca, for example, authorities found untreated wastewater being released into a river. This case highlighted the need for continued technical monitoring.
Daniela Limongi, executive director of ARCA, stated: “el control del agua es permanente y preventivo. Por ello, se fortalecerán las inspecciones, el monitoreo continuo y las pruebas técnicas con laboratorios certificados para anticipar riesgos y proteger la salud pública.”
The government emphasized that it will not relax its oversight efforts and that any discharge outside regulations is unacceptable—even if justified by claims about rivers’ dilution capacity. Technical management will continue with increased rigor and transparency to ensure safe water access, protect ecosystems, and support public well-being.
