Water Scarcity in Lima: A Dream for Many Residents

In Lima, Peru, over 635,000 residents face a severe lack of running water, relying on infrequent deliveries from tanker trucks. The quality of this water poses health risks, as individuals cope with inadequate supplies. Factors such as climate change and poor urban planning contribute to this ongoing crisis, illustrating stark inequalities in access to resources within the city.

In Lima, Peru, the absence of running water starkly contrasts with the city’s sprawling urban landscape. Despite being home to over 10 million residents and situated between the Pacific Ocean and the Andes, over 635,000 inhabitants lack direct access to water services. Many of these individuals reside in informal settlements on steep hills where water and sanitation lines do not reach, complicating their access to this essential resource.

Residents of areas such as San Juan de Miraflores rely on tanker trucks for their water supply. These trucks offer free deliveries once a week, but the water may not be sanitary, leading to health issues. Catalina Naupa, a local resident, described her experiences with the water, saying it causes stomach cramps and migraines due to poor quality. Additionally, access to delivery can be further impeded by muddy streets during the winter months, limiting water access for extended periods.

According to Nicolas Reyes of the municipal water utility Sedapal, families receive about 260 gallons of water per week, translating to merely 30 liters per person daily. This amount falls significantly short of the United Nations’ recommended minimum of 50 to 100 liters, prompting concerns about ongoing water rationing as reservoir levels diminish. Jeremy Robert from the Institute for Development Research observes that the approaching rainy season increases anxiety about water scarcity.

Antonio Ioris, a geography professor, emphasizes that climate change exacerbates the situation by diminishing water supplies in mountainous regions, which adversely affects river flow. However, he argues that the primary issue lies in policymakers neglecting poor populations’ needs. Urban planning deficiencies and rural migration to Lima contribute significantly to the challenges faced by low-income communities.

In some districts, residents pay exorbitantly for water, averaging six times the cost for those connected to the municipal supply. An emblematic feature of San Juan de Miraflores is a concrete barrier dubbed the “wall of shame,” which physically separates impoverished neighborhoods from wealthier areas such as Santiago de Surco, where water consumption is substantially higher. This stark divide highlights the inequality in access to resources across Lima, further establishing a social and economic chasm within the city.

The water crisis in Lima reveals a critical disparity in resource access, particularly affecting marginalized communities. Though the city’s geographic context offers hope for water, inadequate infrastructure and urban planning strategies have left thousands without essential services. Addressing these inequities and prioritizing sustainable water access for all residents is crucial to improve living conditions in the city’s poorer sectors.

Original Source: www.france24.com