A Peruvian mountain overlooking the highway sits a large water cistern. Painted across in blue letters, "agua is vida" or water is life. Here in Lima, Peru, it is not obviously to the typically America tourist the extensive and quite complicated issues surrounding the impeding water crisis. All of the hotels and shops in main districts of Lima have plenty of water all day long. However, when you reach the outskirts of the more mountainous district, water is not always readily available.

Lima is one of the worlds largest desert cities containing nine million people. The sole source of water for these people comes from the river Rimac which flows through the middle of the city. A state owned company, Sedapal, controls the only water treatment facility for the entire city. I wondered to myself why does the city only have one treatment plant for nearly nine million people. Why not build a second and relieve the stress from the single plant? After our visit to Sedapal it was quite apparent the lack of need for a second plant.

The facilities collection point of the river contains a divert that allows the river to continue flowing while a percentage is pulled out to be treated before sold to the public. The Rimac pre-plant is a rapidly flowing river but post-plant is a dry river bed. In order to meet the cities water demands, the treatment facility removes nearly 100% of the water in the Rimac. There is not only not enough water for a second plant, but not enough water to fill the demand of the city.

It is clear that an unequal distribution of the water supply in Lima. Our visit to the Sedapal water treatment plant was the perfect example. Outside the facility is desert, drought, and poverty. Inside the plant, after passing several security guards, we saw vast green lawns and extensive sprinkler systems and ponds. It was quite contradictory to see the upper portion of the slums overlooking an "almost paradise".

So, why does such an inequality of water distribution exist? Water, in my opinion, is the most precious commodity in the world. And as other commodities such as gold or silver, you have to spend money to get it.

Today we visited the city hall of Ate and spoke to several city planners and managers to better understand the governments role in solving the water crisis. We were greeted with a flashy office, handshakes, and vague plans of how to improve the city. It is interesting to notice that politicians are politicians no matter where you travel to. They spoke of educating the people, with many different customs, the proper way to dispose of waste and keep the river clean. How the men with flashy sunglasses and fake smiles would implement such plans is a mystery to me. Their answers when asked were vague, similar to the answers given at a United States presidential election campaign.

Overall, today was a good day. We saw a different portion of the city, the outskirts, completely different than downtown Lima or the Miraflores district. I am excited for what tomorrow brings.