Inequalities in Drinking Water Access in Piura (Peru): Territorial Diagnosis and Governance Challenges

Abstract

Latin American countries continue to face critical challenges in ensuring safe and continuous access to drinking water, particularly in rural and peri-urban areas. This article presents a territorial and institutional diagnosis of drinking water access in the Piura region (Peru). It is a coastal region with approximately 2 million inhabitants, characterized by environmental stress, governance fragmentation, and social inequality. The study adopts a structural documentary approach based on academic literature and validated institutional data to analyze spatial disparities in water coverage, continuity, and quality. It identifies structural and institutional barriers—such as overlapping mandates, limited local capacity, and the absence of monitoring systems—to universal access. The findings also highlight the limitations of isolated innovation efforts, such as pilot projects led by universities and private companies, which often lack mechanisms for institutional integration and policy scaling. The analysis is framed within international water governance frameworks, including the OECD Principles and the Integrated Water Resources Management paradigm, and aligns with Sustainable Development Goal 6. The study offers a multi-scalar perspective grounded in local realities and identifies governance research gaps in rural Peru. Results underscore the need for territorialized planning, strengthened coordination, and inclusive governance to achieve sustainable and equitable water access in fragile contexts.