Crisis in Lima and Callao: interruptions in the drinking water service affect hundreds of thousands.

For some time now, the lack of access to basic services such as clean water and sanitation has been a constant struggle for many Peruvians, especially those living in densely populated urban areas. In the case of Lima and Callao, this issue has been exacerbated by the frequent interruptions in the supply of clean water, leaving hundreds of thousands of people without this vital resource. A recent report revealed that Sedapal, the company responsible for supplying clean water in the region, has experienced over 123,000 hours of interruptions in the past two years. These interruptions, ranging from scheduled cuts to unforeseen events, have affected entire communities, especially in the largest and most populated districts of the capital. The causes of these interruptions are varied, but issues such as main pipeline breaks, reservoir cleaning, leaks, and pipe repairs stand out. These incidents not only inconvenience citizens but also highlight failures in infrastructure and in the maintenance of the water and sewerage network. While Sedapal has argued that they work within estimated deadlines to address these incidents, the reality on the ground is that water cuts often last for hours, and even days, impacting the quality of life of people. The lack of effective communication with the population about these scheduled cuts has also been identified as a recurring problem. Experts in the field have agreed that Sedapal's current management model and the lack of focus on infrastructure maintenance are determining factors in this crisis of the clean water service. The need to invest in the renewal of obsolete networks and proper planning of maintenance work is crucial to ensure optimal service for the entire population. Sunass, the entity responsible for regulating and overseeing sanitation services in the country, has emphasized the importance of more rigorous supervision and greater coordination among competent authorities to address this issue comprehensively. The active participation of local governments and the commitment of all parties involved are key to finding sustainable long-term solutions. In the midst of this situation, it is essential to prioritize the population's right to progressively and universally access clean water, as established by current regulations. The current crisis in the clean water service in Lima and Callao is a wake-up call to rethink and improve water resource management in the country, ensuring equitable and quality access for all citizens.