Dynamics of Interdependence of Drinking Water: Evidence from Water and Sanitation Service Providers (EPS) In Peru, 2017 - 2022

Abstract; The drinking water system has critical infrastructure for access and quality. The objective is to analyze the interdependence dynamics among these indicators in Peru’s Water and Sanitation Service Providers (EPS) during the 2017–2022 period. Annual data from SUNASS and a VAR model were used to examine the intertemporal relationships among water coverage, service continuity, network pressure, and break density. The results indicate high persistence in the system’s key variables, making rapid changes difficult; a negative influence of pipe bursts on service continuity, as evidenced by impulse-response functions; a significant short-term disconnect between access indicators (coverage) and operational quality indicators (continuity, pressure); and a pipe burst density whose component is less predictable. It is concluded that the management and regulation of the sector require a systemic approach that goes beyond evaluating isolated indicators, incorporating dynamic interrelationships to design predictive maintenance policies, strategic investment, and more comprehensive benchmarking frameworks that ensure a sustainable and equitable service.