Peru still faces severe challenges in water supply, sanitation

Peru still faces severe challenges in water supply and sanitation despite years' efforts by the government to enhance water access and treatment, officials and experts in the country said on Monday, the World Water Day.

There is still insufficient supply of drinking water to the population and water pollution is widespread. Less than 70 percentof the wastewater is treated, Vice Minister of the Environment Minister Ana Gonzalez said.

Meanwhile, a study of independent consultants criticized the government's "Water for All" program for being "extremely expensive" and "lack of clear targets."

Under the program, Peru spends 540 U.S. dollars in providing drinking water service to one person each year, about 70 percent higher than the world average of 317 dollars, according to the study.

Source: Xinhua