Peru to begin cleaning up South America's largest lake

Published January 13, 2017

FILE - In this May 24, 2011, file photo, a man rows a boat in lake Titicaca, in Desaguadero, Bolivia. The lake is about to get a major clean up after years of uncontrolled pollution, as Peruvian President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski announced the construction of 10 treatment plants on rivers emptying into Lake Titicaca. He made the announcement Friday, Jan 13, 2017 during a visit to the high-altitude lake straddling the border with Bolivia. (AP Photo/Juan Karita, File) (The Associated Press)

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 meter-high) lake.

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https://www.foxnews.com/world/peru-to-begin-cleaning-up-south-americas-largest-lake