The Ministry of Housing, Construction and Sanitation announced on May 6 that it has taken immediate action to address a sewage overflow affecting families in the jirón Zanjón area of the Keiko Fujimori settlement in Paita.
The situation is significant because it directly impacts public health and daily life for residents. The ministry’s intervention aims to restore sanitary conditions and ensure children can return to school safely.
As an initial response, an eight-inch motor pump was installed at the Óvalo Mundo by EPS Grau to redirect wastewater into nearby sewers before reaching Pumping Station No. 4. A second motor pump will be set up on Avenida Túpac Amaru near IE Juan Pablo II to strengthen efforts at critical points. In addition, a comprehensive cleaning and disinfection plan is underway at IE San Francisco, as well as along jirones Zanjón, Málaga, Jorge Chávez, Paita Baja, and the central market area. EPS Grau expects these works will be completed within ten calendar days so families can resume normal activities without health risks.
“We are not going to allow families in Paita to remain exposed to sources of contamination. We are acting immediately with equipment and coordination among institutions to restore sanitation, protect public health, and ensure children return to classes under safe conditions,” said representatives from the Ministry of Housing.
Several organizations are working together on this effort. The Provincial Municipality of Paita will provide fumigation services for disease prevention; SUNASS will prepare a technical map outlining intervention areas within five days; and the municipality will cover operator costs for the pumps. Additionally, specialized machinery such as hydrojet equipment and tanker trucks have been deployed through EPS Grau with support from OTASS. Over 15 kilometers of sewer networks have already been serviced as part of efforts not only to resolve this emergency but also strengthen sanitation infrastructure against future incidents.
The Ministry contributes broadly by developing policies that promote sustainable access to housing, water supply, sanitation services, construction standards and urban development throughout Peru according to its official website.
