Context
Water resources in Peru are distributed very unequally. The majority of the population lives in rapidly growing cities with little rainfall.
Water pollution and the demand for water are rising dramatically, and this is exacerbated by climate change and extreme weather events.
Agriculture, which uses more than 90 per cent of the available water, is particularly vulnerable to water scarcity and is competing with household water needs.
Objective
Peru is aligning its policies, strategies, planning and investment with requirements for water security.
Approach
The project is building on the successes of its predecessor, and works in four main areas:
Longterm planning: Planning and management instruments consider the long-term impacts of climate change on water supply and demand.
Replicating good practices: Water utilities share good practices like early warning systems for floods and droughts with other businesses nationwide.
Cooperating with the private sector: Companies develop business models that protect water resources, such as reusing treated wastewater in agriculture.
Providing training and continuing education for technical and operational staff: Public institutions are establishing a dual vocational training system based on the German model and implementing a continuing education programme in cooperation with the Association of Swiss Wastewater and Water Protection Professionals (VSA).
The Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) contributes financially to the project.