Currently, one in ten Peruvians does not have access to basic water supply services and up to 50 percent of the country’s population lacks safe sanitation services, which causes water bills to skyrocket by up to 160 percent due to leaks.
In this context, a recent study by Aquafondo (Water Fund for Lima and Callao) in collaboration with the Ministry of Agrarian Development and Irrigation (Midagri) and the National Water Authority (ANA) has revealed that, far from improving, this situation will get worse in the next 40 years.
As a consequence of climate change, it is estimated that by that date Peru will only have 60 percent of the drinking water it has now, which will sharply increase the risk of water shortages.
This vulnerability –the aforementioned report points out and is reported by the Andina agency– “will be exacerbated by one of the most unequal infrastructure distributions in Latin America and the Caribbean.”
“The world’s water resources, and those of our region, face enormous pressures due to population growth, economic development, inefficient management and climate change, impacting the environment and the development of our region,” explained the regional coordinator of the Global Water Partnership South America, Alejandra Mujica.
In this regard, Mujica has stressed the importance of promoting “adequate management of water consumption among industries,” especially in areas with water stress.
To this end, initiatives such as the EHR Seal (Hydrically Responsible Company) are already being launched, promoted by Aquafondo with the purpose of “recognizing, rewarding, valuing and communicating the efforts made by private companies to make responsible use of water resources and develop sustainable water management programs.”
“The seal recognizes institutions committed to voluntary practices for sustainable water management, promoting strategic investments for water security in Peru,” Mujica stressed, warning that “it is up to each one of us to change this situation to contribute to the water security” of the country.
