Peru Water Crisis: Ancient Lagoon Revives Town
Discover how an ancient water system is reversing the impacts of drought in Ecuador.Historian Galo Ramón unearthed a forgotten water management technique from the Paltas civilization, revealing a solution to the nation’s water crisis. This ingenious system, designed to collect and infiltrate rainwater, is reviving aquifers and fostering environmental regeneration in the Catacocha region. The Paltas people thrived by adapting to challenging conditions; now, their ancestral knowledge offers a lasting approach to water security. News Directory 3 reports on how this approach provides a valuable model for Ecuador and other drought-stricken areas.Explore the amazing story behind the ancient lagoon system and its impact. Discover what’s next …
Ancient Water System Revives Drought-Stricken Ecuador
Updated June 13, 2025
A historian’s discovery of an ancient water management system is helping to combat drought in southern Ecuador. Galo Ramón, while studying a 1792 map, identified a long-forgotten technique used by the pre-Incan Paltas civilization to manage water resources.
The Paltas, who inhabited the semi-arid region over 1,000 years ago, developed a complex system of water collection and infiltration. This system,designed to capture rainwater and replenish aquifers,is now being revived to address Ecuador’s ongoing water crisis and promote drought resilience.
Ramón’s journey began in 1983 when he encountered a map detailing a boundary dispute involving an ancient lagoon. He noticed the map depicted ravines forming below the high-altitude lagoon, suggesting it supplied watersheds further down, a reversal of typical water flow.
Born in 1952 in Catacocha, Ramón experienced firsthand the challenges of unreliable water access. His research into the Paltas civilization revealed their ingenious method of “sowing and harvesting” water. this involved collecting rainwater, groundwater, and runoff to replenish aquifers, wich could then be tapped during dry periods.
The region’s rainfall is highly variable, with most precipitation occurring in just a few months. The steep, rocky soil exacerbates the problem, causing rapid water runoff. The Paltas system, though, allowed them to thrive despite these challenges.
the key to the system is the creation of artificial wetlands, or cochas, at high altitudes. These lagoons, built on fractured rocky terrain, allow for slow water infiltration and aquifer recharge. “Without the Paltas’ system, water runoff is rapid, so you don’t have a permanent source to feed the spring,” Ramón said.
Now,40 years after Ramón began his work,the region is experiencing environmental regeneration,offering a lasting solution to water scarcity. The revival of the Paltas water management system provides a valuable model for Ecuador and other regions facing similar challenges.
what’s next
Ramón hopes that the success of the restored Paltas system will inspire further implementation of ancient water management techniques in other drought-prone regions, offering a sustainable path toward water security.