Peru to begin cleaning up South America’s largest lake

LIMA, Peru – South America’s largest lake is about to get a major clean up after years of uncontrolled pollution.

Peruvian President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski said the construction of 10 treatment plants on rivers emptying into Lake Titicaca will carry a price tag of $437 million. He made the announcement Friday during a visit to the high-altitude lake straddling the border with Bolivia.

The rapid expansion of towns and factories near the lake has contributed to runoff that has turned once crystal azure waters a murky green and destroyed the livelihood of thousands of fisherman.

Each year, some 750,000 tourists visit the 12,470-foot-high (3,800 metre-high) lake.