The President of the Republic of Peru gave the opening speech of Expoagua, the most important trade fair of the sector, which was held in Lima from 17 to 19 October. At the event, Aqualia demonstrated its experience and efficient management models to face the much-needed change in the paradigm demanding this resource in Latin America: "From Need to Sustainability".
Throughout the event, international experts addressed the current state of technology, discussed the most relevant trends on the integrated management of water resources and shared their successful experiences. Aqualia was present with a transversal approach, both at its stand, providing information, and with the interventions of its representatives during the Spain Conferences held the evening of the 18th at the main hall.
During this day, Maximiliano Stempels, representative of Aqualia in Peru shared the panel with Ernesto de Zulueta Habsburgo-Lorena, Spanish Ambassador in Peru, in which he gave a corporate presentation and discussed the main areas of activity of the company, as well as the most important markets in which the company operates.
Moreover, Rafael Pérez Feito, Director of Operations of the International Division of Aqualia, participated in the panel of experts “The future of Water in Peru: Investment, Growth and Sustainability", in which he shared his impressions with the most important representatives of different organisations, such as ANA (National Water Authority of Peru), IDB (Inter-American Development Bank), SUNASS (National Bureau of Sewerage Services of Peru) or Proinversión, discussing the efficiency and quality of water resource management and the mechanisms required to drive the participation of the private sector in this sector. Rafael Pérez Feito stated that "there are 3 million people in Peru with no access to drinking water and more than 8 million people with no access to the sewer network in urban and rural areas. Public-Private Associations are a very effective tool to face these problems with a sustainable approach and with the urgency the country needs".
In the past few decades, much progress has been made in the water and sewerage sector in Peru. Access to drinking water has increased from 30 to 83% and access to sewer networks has increased by up to 68%, in its broadest sense. However, this country in the Andes still has to face many challenges associated with water resources. These include insufficient coverage and quality of services or the very low sustainability of the existing systems.
