Water Access Crisis in Lima: A Tale of Two Cities

In Lima, over 635,000 people lack running water, relying on infrequent tanker deliveries. Residents face health issues due to unsanitary conditions, while the water utility provides only a fraction of the recommended daily water needs. Climate change and poor urban planning compound the situation, creating stark contrasts between wealthy and impoverished areas.

In Lima, Peru, a city of over 10 million people, many residents in impoverished areas dream of having running water due to limited access. The city is situated between the Pacific Ocean and the Andes, yet rain is scarce, severely impacting water supply. Currently, over 635,000 residents lack running water, particularly in informal settlements perched on hillsides where water and sewer lines do not extend.

For these communities, blue tanker trucks deliver water once a week, or less frequently, leaving it in unsanitary large drums along dusty streets. Local residents have reported health issues like stomach cramps and worms in the water containers. Catalina Naupa, a resident, mentions that poor road conditions sometimes prevent the trucks from delivering water during the winter months.

The city’s water utility, Sedapal, provides approximately 30 liters (8 gallons) of water per person per day, significantly below the 50-100 liters recommended by the United Nations. Sedapal is concerned about potential water rationing as seasonal rainfall varies, and experts suggest climate change may further impact water resources.

Antonio Ioris, a geography professor, notes that while dwindling water reserves are an issue, the real problem lies in the lack of prioritization from policymakers. He emphasizes that insufficient urban planning combined with rural poverty leads to migration to Lima’s outskirts, leaving residents with inadequate water access.

Areas like San Juan de Miraflores feature steep paths where some inhabitants cannot receive tanked water, forcing them to pay significantly more for their supply. A stark contrast exists between these areas and wealthier neighborhoods like Santiago de Surco, where water consumption rates soar to 200 liters per person daily, highlighting a dramatic divide in resource availability. Cristel Mejia, operating a soup kitchen in San Juan de Miraflores, describes Surco as feeling like a different world due to this disparity.

Lima faces a dire water accessibility crisis, primarily affecting its poorest residents. Despite the geographical advantages of rivers and a water table, the lack of infrastructure and urban planning exacerbates this issue. Residents often rely on inadequate and unhygienic water delivery methods, leading to health problems and significant economic burdens. The disparity between rich and poor neighborhoods starkly illustrates the urgent need for policy changes to address water access issues in Lima.

Original Source: www.france24.com