Peru is already split between the haves and the have nots when it comes to access to water...
先要注意the haves和the have nots的意思.
the haves: people who have enough money and possessions 有钱人,富人
the have-nots: people who do not have money and possessions 一无所有的人,穷人
the division between the haves and the have-nots
富人和穷人之间的差异
通常the haves和the have-nots是连在一起用,表示"富人和穷人".
When it comes to...: 一谈到,当说到...
Split: to divide, or to make a group of people divide, into smaller groups that have very different opinions
a debate that has split the country down the middle
使全国分成2大派的一场争论
The committee split over government subsidies.
在政府补贴的问题上,委员会出现了相互对立的意见.
这句话的意思是说,在供水问题上,秘鲁出现了富人和穷人相互对立的局面(富人有水喝,穷人没水喝).
...conflicts are escalating...矛盾/冲突在不断扩大
Escalate: to become or make sth greater, worse, more serious, etc (使)逐步扩大,不断恶化,加剧
The fighting escalated into a full-scale war.
这场交战逐步扩大为全面战争.
the escalating costs of health care
逐渐增加的保健费用
We do not want to escalate the war.
我们不想让战争升级.
Up to: (数量上)达到,多达