Water security and legal uncertainty in selected countries of Latin America: risks and challenges of recent trends in water law

ABSTRACT Water security has become a central concern and primary objective of water resources management, while legal security remains a foundational principle of the rule of law. The convergence between water security and legal certainty – linking water management and law – therefore appears both necessary and unavoidable. This intersection represents a significant contemporary challenge for water law. Through a comparative analysis of Argentina, Chile, and Ecuador, this article critically examines recent legislative reforms and judicial developments. It evaluates whether such convergence mitigates or exacerbates existing tensions and explores how water security may be advanced without undermining legal security in an evolving regulatory landscape.