Legislators discuss bill to strengthen local water utilities - Peru

A bill to strengthen Peru's regional water utilities (EPS) was presented by congressman Isaac Serna, paper Gestión reported.

The majority of the country's 50 EPS are on the brink of bankruptcy - having registered negative financial results - and 41 have a total debt of US$1.62bn, according to Serna.

The bill looks to create policies to finance, modernize and reorganize the management of the utilities.

Supporters of the bill are requesting that the state set policies to financially help the utilities, which could include resources from the national government.

In addition, the initiative requests regional governments, in coordination with the municipalities that currently manage the EPS, to provide resources and become shareholders in the utilities.

The bill also suggests that the EPS merge into one regional company, with the regional capital's water utility absorbing the rest.

Business News Americas

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