Until the Last Drop:

El Salvador receives 3 times as much water in rainfall as what its 6 million inhabitants consume annually, yet 40% of Salvadorans do not enjoy potable water in their homes.
The Salvadoran government and the Inter-American Development Bank (IADB) argue that the problem of water access for Salvadorans can be solved with private sector investment.  They claim that only the private sector can provide the capital necessary to repair a multitude of decaying pipes, pumps, and valves—and only companies that are guaranteed a fair measure of return will invest in extending service to meet the needs of El Salvador’s rapidly growing population.

     A powerful coalition of environmentalists, faith-based activists, consumer advocates and unionists has stalled water reform legislation that would enable companies to profit from water. The coalition argues that allowing private investment in water provision would privatize the country’s water supply, and price water out of reach for the majority of the population who live on less than $2 per day. These self-proclaimed “water warriors” maintain that it is immoral to profit from water while others cannot pay exorbitant water prices.

   While the debate over water management rages worldwide, Until the Last Drop examines opposing visions of water management as they clash in El Salvador. Today’s conflicts over this vital resource could lead to tomorrow’s civil wars. 

   Until the Last Drop illustrates how regulatory collapse and a legislative stalemate on water reform has real-life impacts for the health and well-being of people who need water to survive.