Should private companies be allowed to build and manage public drinking water infrastructure?

Triggered by the severe 2023 drought and salinity crisis, the "Project Neptune" (Arazatí) initiative proposes building a new water treatment plant using a consortium of private companies. This sparked massive protests referencing the 2004 plebiscite where Uruguayans voted to enshrine water as a public right in the constitution. Proponents argue the state utility (OSE) is broke and private capital is the only way to secure water security quickly. Opponents argue this violates the constitution and commodifies a vital natural resource.