A Call to Action for Consumer Responsibility

A stark new report from the UK charity Water Witness reveals that the fruit and vegetables gracing UK supermarket shelves are fueling a water and human rights crisis in Peru’s Ica Valley. The region, vital for producing blueberries, avocados, asparagus, and grapes, faces a “do-or-die” decade as groundwater supplies plummet, leaving tens of thousands of farm workers without access to clean water or sanitation.

The Cost of Unsustainable Agriculture

Since 2010, exports of fresh fruit from Peru to the UK have surged tenfold, driving a boom in irrigation across over 100 square kilometers of desert land. Despite a government ban on new wells, their numbers have grown by 30%, depleting groundwater at a rate equivalent to 219 Olympic-sized swimming pools daily.

This over-extraction has devastating consequences. Wells used by small-scale farmers and local communities are running dry, leaving 70-80% of the population of Ica without reliable water access. Unplanned settlements built for migrant farm workers lack infrastructure for sanitation or clean water, forcing residents to rely on expensive and often unsafe water sources.

“At least 35,000 people in Ica lack formal water provision, a gross infringement of the UN-recognized Human Right to Safe Water,” reports Water Witness.

The problem doesn’t stop at Ica. Collecting water from the Andes to supplement local supplies is degrading ecosystems, worsening droughts and floods, and threatening indigenous communities upstream.

A Global Problem

The crisis in Ica underscores the broader issue of water abuse in global supply chains. With 70% of the UK’s water footprint located overseas, 40% of this use is considered unsustainable. Such practices are draining aquifers, polluting rivers, and pushing vulnerable ecosystems and communities to the brink.

“Peru’s crisis is an iconic example of how consumer demand and irresponsible sourcing are driving ecological and social disasters worldwide,” explains Dr. Nick Hepworth, the report’s lead author.

Solutions on the Horizon

The report calls on UK supermarkets, including Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Asda, Morrisons, Aldi, and Lidl, to take responsibility. They must ensure sustainable water use throughout their supply chains, work with producers to reduce water waste, and support communities impacted by the crisis.

Encouragingly, collaborative efforts are emerging. The UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) has launched a taskforce to address Ica’s water emergency. This coalition of businesses, governments, and NGOs will work to implement sustainable water management practices and reduce over-abstraction.

“The next decade is critical,” warns Peruvian economist Dr. Eduardo Zegarra. “If overexploitation continues, the aquifer supplying more than half a million people in Ica will collapse.”

The Role of Consumers and Governments

Change also depends on consumers, financial institutions, and policymakers. The report urges governments to enforce stricter environmental and social governance standards in global trade. Meanwhile, consumers are encouraged to advocate for “fair water footprints” in their purchasing choices.

Dr. Stephen Foster, groundwater expert, highlights the urgency: “Without major reductions in groundwater pumping, the consequences for Peru’s population, economy, and environment will be dire.”

Looking Forward

This report is the first in a series by Water Witness investigating unsustainable water use in global supply chains. Future studies will explore the impacts of sugar production in Malawi and cocoa farming in Côte d’Ivoire.

The Ica Valley crisis serves as a sobering reminder of the hidden costs of modern agriculture. By demanding accountability from businesses and governments, we can help secure fairer, more sustainable water use worldwide.

For more information or to sign the online petition supporting fair water footprints, visit www.waterwitness.org.