Lake Titicaca: One of the world's most beautiful sights now polluted with rubbish and toxic chemicals
Health problems are already affecting the local population
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Tucked between snow-capped mountains along the border of Bolivia and Peru, Lake Titicaca was once worshipped by the ancient Inca who proclaimed its deep blue waters the birthplace of the sun.
These days the shores of South America's largest lake are littered with everything from endless bags of soggy waste to discarded hypodermic needles.
Not immediately apparent, but posing a huge threat, are the toxic levels of lead and mercury in the water itself.
The prized tourist destination is slowly deteriorating. A rash of health problems has sprung up among the 1.3 million people who live near Lake Titicaca’s polluted banks.
Increasing concern over the situation prompted promises of official action, and in January the governments of the two countries signed a pact to spend more than $500 million to tackle the problem.
Maruja Inquilla, a local resident, says much of the rubbish comes from nearby cities.
“It’s immensely worrying,” she said. “Why? Because we depend on [it] to live.”
A study carried out in 2014 found mercury, cadmium, zinc and copper in fish that form part of the local diet at higher levels than those advised for human consumption.
The Peruvian president, Pedro Pablo Kuczynski, has pledged to construct ten treatment plants around the lake at a cost of $437 million.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments