Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
7
Water Contamination and its Impact
on Vegetable Production in the
Rı
´
mac River, Peru
Henry Juarez
1
I
NTRODUCTION
The rapid growth of population in Lima is leading to an expansion of
unplanned informal settlements which lack many basic urban services such as
waste management, clean water and drainage. Combined with poor farming
practices, these settlements create the perfect conditions for large amounts of
run-off. This run-off contains waste products, for instance from overflowing
septic systems, that affect surface waters, the environment and ultimately the
health of food producers and consumers. The latter face risks from waterborne
diseases, while the farmers are also affected by skin ailments and intestinal
problems. Due to the scarcity of clean water and lack of adequate treatment of
domestic sewage, the use of contaminated water is a common practice which
sustains farmers' livelihoods in urban and peri-urban areas. Lima is merely one
of many international cities located at the mouth of a large river, many of
which face the same environmental problems that directly impact on water
quality. Typically, such waters are polluted by excessive quantities of nutrients,
plus they are contaminated with pathogens and toxic chemical substances that
affect both the ecosystem and the public's health (Lee-Smith and Prain, 2006).
The Rı´ mac River basin is one of the most important in Peru. It provides
enough drinking water for approximately 60 per cent of Lima's population of
7.7 million people. The river supplies a large population with a wide range of
socio-economic activities including mining, an industry established long ago in
the upper and middle part of the basin. In addition, hydroelectric generation
occurs along the river, as well as agricultural irrigation.
Water contamination of the Rı´ mac River historically has been related to
the discharge of mining waste in the upper and middle part of the basin
