Peru’s new law regulating hydrological resources is unlikely to solve social conflicts caused by disputes over water, Laureano del Castillo, lawyer and hydrological expert with the national center for social studies (Cepes), told BNamericas.

The regulations, which were signed into law by President Alan García last week, include the creation of a tribunal to deal with water conflicts. However, the court will have a largely administrative function, which means it will have little effect in resolving conflicts, according to del Castillo.

“I feel the issue was not properly addressed. The law will help to clear up some of the conflicts we’re seeing, but it really doesn’t get to the bottom of the issue,” del Castillo said.

National water authority ANA had identified 244 social conflicts over water resources at end-February this year. Most of the conflicts arose in the Piura and Cajamarca regions, and were over water use in the fishing, mining and agricultural sectors, according to the authority.

The full interview with Laureano de Castillo is published in this week’s Water & Waste Perspectives, for subscribers only.

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