Clean Water Access In Bolivia: A Basic Human Right?

Bolivia is a landlocked country in South America with a population of around 11 million people. It is considered one of the poorest countries in the Americas, and many of its citizens lack access to clean water and sanitation services. In this context, the Bolivian government has made significant strides towards improving water and sanitation access, especially since the 2009 constitution recognised access to these services as a fundamental human right. Despite these efforts, various factors, such as gastrointestinal illnesses, environmental threats, and water scarcity due to drought, continue to impact the availability of clean water in the country.

Access to clean water in rural Bolivia

Bolivia is a landlocked country in South America with a population of approximately 11 million people. The country has made significant progress in improving drinking water and sanitation coverage since 1990, largely due to increased sectoral investments. However, Bolivia still suffers from the lowest coverage levels and the lowest quality of services on the continent.

In 2015, 76% of the rural population had access to "improved" water, and this number increased to 84.7% in 2020. Regarding sanitation, 28% of the rural population had access to "improved" sanitation in 2015, and this number increased to 62.5% in 2020. The Bolivian government has set ambitious goals to reach universal access to drinking water services by 2020 and sanitation services by 2025.

One of the main challenges in rural Bolivia is the low demand for better sanitation. Historically, families in rural areas have not prioritised investing in their own household toilets. However, a program in the district of Villa Rivero, which covered the cost of 10-20% of a family's bathroom, has successfully encouraged more families to build bathrooms. Additionally, organisations like Water For People provide microfinance for sanitation improvements, allowing families to access small loans to build better bathrooms.

Another challenge in rural Bolivia is the lack of infrastructure to support water and sanitation services. In more dispersed areas, it is often the responsibility of individual households to take the initiative to obtain access to water and sanitation services. This approach, called self-supply of water and sanitation, can be difficult and costly for families. Additionally, there is a lack of capacity to operate and maintain water and sanitation infrastructure in rural areas.

Despite these challenges, international organisations like Water For People and UNICEF have made significant strides in improving access to clean water and sanitation in rural Bolivia. Water For People has been working in Bolivia since 1997 and has implemented piped water supply systems in many communities. They also promote a market-based approach to sanitation, providing small loans to families to purchase materials like toilets, showers, and sinks. As a result of their efforts, 78% of households in Bolivia now have access to clean water.

In summary, while rural Bolivia has made significant progress in improving access to clean water and sanitation, there are still challenges to be addressed, including low demand for better sanitation, lack of infrastructure, and insufficient capacity to operate and maintain water and sanitation systems. By working with international organisations and increasing investments in the sector, the Bolivian government hopes to achieve universal access to these basic services.

Water privatisation and protests

In the late 1990s, the Bolivian government privatised the water supply and sanitation sector, granting two major concessions to private companies. This decision was influenced by the World Bank and the International Development Bank, who made privatisation a requirement for the government to retain state loans.

The first concession was awarded in 1997 to Aguas de Illimani S.A. (AISA), a subsidiary of the French company Suez, for the city of La Paz/El Alto. The second concession was granted in 1999 to Aguas de Tunari, a consortium between the British firm International Waters (a subsidiary of the US-based Bechtel Corporation), United Utilities (UK), and several other international engineering and construction firms, for the city of Cochabamba.

The privatisation process was highly controversial and sparked widespread protests, known as the "Cochabamba Water War" or "Bolivian Water War". The main issue was the drastic increase in water rates, which had a significant impact on the population, especially the poorest neighbourhoods that were not connected to the water network.

The protests began in early 2000 and involved various sectors of Bolivian society, including peasant irrigators, retired factory workers, union members, students, coca-leaf farmers, and residential children. The demonstrations were met with violence from the police, and a state of emergency was declared in April 2000. During the protests, a 17-year-old student, Víctor Hugo Daza, was shot and killed by the Bolivian Army.

As a result of the protests, the two water concessions were terminated. In Cochabamba, the Aguas de Tunari contract was cancelled, and the water management was handed over to a grassroots coalition, La Coordinadora. In La Paz/El Alto, Aguas de Illimani was replaced by a public utility company, but this company also faced criticism and was replaced by a local service provider.

Despite the protests and changes in water management, access to clean water in Bolivia remains unequal. As of 2017, urban areas have almost 100% access to basic clean water, while rural regions have 78% access. International organisations like Water for People and UNICEF continue to work towards improving water and sanitation services in the country.

Water contamination and health issues

Despite improvements in drinking water and sanitation coverage since 1990, Bolivia still has the lowest coverage levels and the lowest quality of services on the continent. In 2015, 90% of the population had access to "improved" water, but this figure drops to 76% in rural areas. The quality of service in the majority of the country's water and sanitation systems is low. According to the WHO, in 2000, only 26% of urban systems disinfected water, and only 25% of wastewater was treated.

The main problems in the sector, according to the government, include low access to sanitation and water in rural areas, insufficient and ineffective investments, technical and institutional difficulties in implementing projects, and a lack of capacity to operate and maintain infrastructure. Climate change, pollution, and a lack of integrated water resources management also contribute to the issues.

The consequences of these issues are felt by the population, especially in rural areas. Many smaller Bolivian communities suffer from gastrointestinal illnesses due to a lack of clean water. The high levels of heavy metals in the water, caused by mining operations, pose a major health risk and cannot be removed with filters.

The lack of access to clean water and sanitation has several negative impacts on health and hygiene. For example, in 2017, the rate of public defecation in rural areas was around 38%, leading to disease and water pollution. This is a significant issue as public defecation causes diseases and pollutes water sources.

To address these issues, organizations such as Water for People are working to improve access to clean water and sanitation in Bolivia. They promote the construction of handwashing stations at schools and provide small loans to purchase materials like toilets and sinks for better sanitation practices in households.

Water scarcity and drought

Bolivia, a small landlocked country in South America, has made significant strides in improving water sanitation and access to clean water for its citizens. However, the country continues to face challenges due to water scarcity and drought, which have severe impacts on its communities.

The frequency and intensity of drought episodes have increased in recent years, with 2023 being the driest year in Bolivia's history. This prolonged drought had devastating consequences, with over two million people suffering from a lack of rain, and it was exacerbated by the country's hottest year on record. The effects were particularly severe in rural areas, where agriculture and livestock farming are the primary sources of income and employment. Water reservoirs dried up, staple food crops were lost, and livestock began to die of thirst.

The impacts of water scarcity and drought extend beyond the immediate lack of water. They lead to restrictions on water use, increased water prices, and decreased water quality. This, in turn, reduces hydration frequency, weakens hygiene measures, and contributes to the spread of stomach and infectious diseases. Additionally, the long recovery period after a drought can force families to make difficult decisions, such as selling their land, incurring debt, or migrating in search of better opportunities.

To address the water scarcity and drought crisis, the Bolivian government has implemented various measures. They have allocated funds, drilled wells, and transported water to affected areas. Additionally, they have promoted community-run projects and worked with international organizations like Water for People and UNICEF to improve sanitation and access to clean water, especially in rural areas. These efforts have yielded some positive results, with Bolivia achieving almost 100% basic clean water access in urban areas and 78% in rural regions as of 2017.

However, the effects of climate change continue to exacerbate the water scarcity and drought situation in Bolivia. The country is highly vulnerable to the impacts of the climate crisis, and the frequency and severity of droughts are expected to increase. It is crucial for the government to implement short, medium, and long-term public policies and adapt to climate change to mitigate the impacts of water scarcity and drought on its communities.

Improving water quality and wastewater management

Bolivia has made significant progress in improving water and sanitation services since 1990, with 90% of the population gaining access to "improved" water and 50% to "improved" sanitation by 2015. However, the country still faces challenges such as low coverage levels, particularly in rural areas, and the need to strengthen citizen participation and increase investment financing to expand coverage.

To improve water quality and wastewater management in Bolivia, the following strategies can be implemented:

• Increase sector-wide investment and capacity-building: Bolivia needs to mobilize more resources and increase investment financing to expand and improve water and sanitation infrastructure. This includes investing in wastewater treatment facilities to reduce water pollution and ensure that more people have access to clean water.
• Promote innovation and evidence-based action: Implementing innovative solutions, such as decentralized wastewater treatment systems and nature-based solutions, can help improve water quality and wastewater management. For example, constructed wetlands and natural filtration systems can treat wastewater naturally, reducing the reliance on centralized infrastructure.
• Enhance cross-sectoral coordination and cooperation: Collaboration between different sectors, such as agriculture, industry, and energy, is crucial to address the complex challenges of water scarcity and pollution. By working together, these sectors can optimize water use, reduce pollution, and ensure sustainable water management.
• Adopt a more integrated and holistic approach to water management: This includes protecting and restoring water-related ecosystems, such as wetlands and watersheds, and promoting sustainable water use practices. Integrating water management with land-use planning and adopting a watershed management approach can help to conserve water resources and protect water quality.
• Improve access to sanitation and hygiene: Ensuring access to sanitation and hygiene facilities, such as toilets and handwashing stations, is essential to improve public health and reduce water pollution. This includes promoting behavior change and raising awareness about the importance of proper sanitation and hygiene practices.
• Strengthen institutional capacity and governance: Bolivia has experienced political and institutional instability, which has weakened the capacity of water and sanitation institutions. Strengthening these institutions and improving governance can help ensure effective planning, regulation, and management of water resources and sanitation services.
• Promote community participation and engagement: Empowering local communities and involving them in water and sanitation management can lead to more sustainable and equitable solutions. This includes promoting community-run projects and ensuring the inclusion of women, youth, and indigenous communities in decision-making processes.
• Address climate change and water scarcity: Climate change is expected to exacerbate water scarcity and negatively impact water quality. Adapting to climate change and implementing sustainable water management practices, such as water reuse and conservation, are crucial to ensure water security and improve water quality.
• Monitor and regulate water quality: Establishing water quality guidelines and standards, as well as monitoring and regulating water pollution, are essential to protect human health and ecosystems. This includes treating wastewater properly and reducing the discharge of untreated sewage and industrial effluents into water bodies.
• Promote international cooperation and knowledge sharing: International organizations, such as the United Nations and development banks, can provide technical assistance, funding, and knowledge sharing to support Bolivia's efforts to improve water quality and wastewater management.

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