This document is the first systematic discussion of the most important lessons of the APPJ Project of the European Union, which was implemented between the years 1993 and 2001. The project was prepared to respond to the emergency health situation of the cholera epidemic of 1991. The proposed project was to comment on building autonomous systems of drinking water in peri-urban areas not served by the SEDAPAL drinking water network. Lessons learned include: 1) It is not enough to build drinking water systems; 2) It is essential to ensure the existence of units that manage the system efficiently. 3) It is important to operate a monitoring program of the autonomous systems in Lima. This document has been divided into five chapters and three annexes. The first chapter presents the background of the project, the features of the proposal and phases their execution. The second deals with processes that led to major improvements in the construction of the autonomous systems of drinking water. The third chapter discusses the various aspects and factors influencing the sustainability of water systems. The fourth chapter discusses the role of institutional actors involved directly or indirectly in the sustainability of building water systems. Finally, the fifth chapter presents conclusions and lessons. The document ends with three annexes: the first is information on costs and volume of sales of systems visited; the second is a summary of the information status of systems visited, and the third is a list of NGOs who have participated in the implementation of the project.

This document is the first systematic discussion of the most important lessons of the APPJ Project of the European Union, which was implemented between the years 1993 and 2001. The project was prepared to respond to the emergency health situation of the cholera epidemic of 1991. The proposed project was to comment on building autonomous systems of drinking water in peri-urban areas not served by the SEDAPAL drinking water network. Lessons learned include: 1) It is not enough to build drinking water systems; 2) It is essential to ensure the existence of units that manage the system efficiently. 3) It is important to operate a monitoring program of the autonomous systems in Lima. This document has been divided into five chapters and three annexes. The first chapter presents the background of the project, the features of the proposal and phases their execution. The second deals with processes that led to major improvements in the construction of the autonomous systems of drinking water. The third chapter discusses the various aspects and factors influencing the sustainability of water systems. The fourth chapter discusses the role of institutional actors involved directly or indirectly in the sustainability of building water systems. Finally, the fifth chapter presents conclusions and lessons. The document ends with three annexes: the first is information on costs and volume of sales of systems visited; the second is a summary of the information status of systems visited, and the third is a list of NGOs who have participated in the implementation of the project.