# Water management and service issues in Peru

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/water-management-and-service-issues-in-peru
> Updated: 2026-09-04T14:55:57.000Z. Sources: 4. Developments: 2.

Water management and service delivery in Peru have faced scrutiny regarding infrastructure deficiencies and administrative irregularities. In the Pechuquiz community of Piura, a diagnostic study by the Universidad Nacional de Piura identified significant supply issues, including frequent service cuts, low water pressure, and turbidity. The study noted that during the dry season, 68.5% of households receive only two to four hours of water daily.

On a broader scale, an audit by the Contraloría General de la República revealed management irregularities at the SEAL utility in Arequipa, where approximately S/ 12,732,223.50 in additional benefits were approved without following legal procedures. Additionally, reports from the Instituto Peruano de Economía indicate systemic inefficiencies across the country, with many companies failing to bill a significant portion of produced water due to leaks and illegal connections. These management challenges coincide with a decline in national water coverage, which fell from 83.9% in 2017 to 83.3% in 2025.

## Claims

- The Contraloría General de la República identified irregularities in SEAL's maintenance service management in Arequipa. (single source)
- SEAL approved additional benefits totaling S/ 12,732,223.50, representing 24.9% of the contract amount. (single source)
- Additional benefits were approved without requiring the adjustment of corresponding guarantees. (single source)
- One of the consortium members involved in the contract was disqualified. (single source)
- 38 out of 50 evaluated water companies fail to bill at least 30% of the water they produce. (single source)
- Agua Tumbes, EPS Grau, and Sedaloreto report non-billed water losses exceeding 60%. (single source)
- National water network coverage in Peru decreased from 83.9% in 2017 to 83.3% in 2025. (single source)
- Urban water network coverage dropped from 90.5% in 2017 to 88.7% in 2025. (single source)

## Timeline

### 2026-09-04: Peru water utilities face audit irregularities and rising resource losses

Audits and economic reports reveal mismanagement in Peru's water sector, including illegal benefit approvals by SEAL in Arequipa and significant water loss and declining coverage nationwide.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/peru-water-utilities-face-audit-irregularities-and-rising-resource-losses

### 2026-08-13: Pechuquiz water service diagnosis identifies supply deficiencies

A study in Pechuquiz, Piura, reveals significant water supply issues, including limited daily hours of service and low water pressure, despite high community participation in management meetings.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/pechuquiz-water-service-diagnosis-identifies-supply-deficiencies

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Cite as: Water management and service issues in Peru. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/water-management-and-service-issues-in-peru