“Did anyone bring their swimsuit?” joked a worker, squinting at the sun reflecting off the Reservorio Jerusalen. You can’t miss it. It’s a huge water tower, looming over the landscape here in Mariano Melgar, Arequipa. It might not be a swimming pool, but this reservoir holds a lot more than just water. It represents a lifeline for the people of Pueblo Joven Jerusalen and a story of hope, struggle, and resilience. The Reservorio Jerusalen, you see, was built as part of a project by Sedapar, the company responsible for providing clean water and sanitation to the region.
The year was 2023. The residents of Pueblo Joven Jerusalen had been eagerly awaiting the completion of this project. They had even alerted Sedapar to potential issues with the construction company, FM Construcciones. Their concerns, unfortunately, went unheeded. Tragedy struck on April 20th. The partially completed roof of the reservoir, constructed with questionable quality, collapsed. Five workers were injured and rushed to the Clínica San Juan de Dios.
The incident, a stark reminder of the need for accountability and proper oversight, sparked outrage and protests among the locals. Although the new construction company rebuilt the Reservorio Jerusalen, the memory of that day serves as a powerful reminder. It reminds us to value not just the water within these structures but also the lives and well-being of the communities they serve.