Arequipa water and sanitation project awaits municipal approval

A proposed water and sewage project for the PROFAM human settlement in the Yura district of Arequipa is currently stalled awaiting a decision from the Provincial Municipality of Arequipa (MPA). The project, which involves an investment of S/ 29.7 million, aims to provide 1,326 potable water connections and 1,418 sewage connections, benefiting more than 1,400 families.

The initiative, organized under the Works for Taxes (OxI) modality with a 360-day execution period, faced setbacks during an October 16 council session where eight councilors voted against the proposal and only six supported it. While residents have marched to demand approval, councilors have raised observations regarding the technical file and requested that the prioritization be debated again in a future session.

James Castro, president of PROFAM, has defended the technical file's viability, noting that the project is currently in the prioritization stage rather than the technical evaluation stage. Castro warned that if prioritization is not approved before the current municipal administration ends, the process may need to be restarted, potentially delaying execution.