Water Purifiers In Bolivia: Top Company Marketing Strategies

Bolivia has been working to improve its drinking water and sanitation coverage, with the president setting ambitious goals to reach universal access to drinking water services by 2020 and sanitation services by 2025. However, the country continues to face challenges such as low coverage levels and the poor quality of services. This has led to a growing market for water purification solutions in Bolivia, with companies like Pure Aqua offering a range of filtration and treatment systems, and SteriPEN providing an innovative UV water purification product for travellers. The privatisation of water supply in Bolivia has also been a significant issue, with protests and uprisings leading to the termination of concessions to foreign private companies in the early 2000s.

Water privatisation in Bolivia

Bolivia is a landlocked country in South America with a population of around 11 million people. It is the poorest country in South America and is home to a predominantly indigenous population.

In 1997, during the second mandate of President Hugo Banzer, Bolivia privatised its water supply and sanitation services. This was done through two major concessions: one in La Paz/El Alto to Aguas del Illimani S.A. (AISA), a subsidiary of the French company Suez (formerly Lyonnaise des Eaux); and a second in Cochabamba to Aguas del Tunari, a subsidiary of the multinational corporations Biwater and Bechtel. The World Bank and the International Development Bank had made privatisation a requirement for Bolivia to retain access to state loans.

The privatisation of water in Bolivia was highly controversial and sparked strong dissatisfaction and social conflict. Many of the poorest neighbourhoods were not connected to the water network and had to pay more for lower-quality water from trucks and handcarts. In addition, when Bechtel took over local wells and informal pumps, many consumers were priced out of the market, unable to pay the increased rates which in some cases had doubled. In 2000, Bechtel made an annual revenue of over $14 billion, while Bolivia's national budget was only $2.7 billion.

In early 2000, protests against the raised price of water due to privatisation grew, and martial law was declared. In April 2000, a seventeen-year-old student, Víctor Hugo Daza, was shot in the face by the Bolivian Army while protesting the increase in local water rates. This incident sparked further protests, with thousands of people from a range of social backgrounds converging in the central plaza of Cochabamba. This event became known as the Cochabamba Water War.

Following two popular uprisings against water privatisation, the first in Cochabamba in April 2000 and the second in La Paz/El Alto in January 2005, the two concessions were terminated. The public water utility that replaced Aguas de Illimani in La Paz/El Alto faced criticism for water shortages, accounting errors, tariff increases, and poor disaster preparedness.

Despite the restoration of public control over water services, Bolivia continues to face challenges in ensuring universal access to clean water and sanitation services. As of 2018, rural access to basic water services in Bolivia was at 78%, while rural access to basic sanitation services was only 36%. However, there have been some successes, such as in the district of San Pedro, where Water For People and local partners achieved water services for everyone.

Water purification methods

Water purification is essential to ensure water is safe for human consumption. There are various methods to purify water, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. Here are some of the most common and effective water purification methods:

Boiling

Boiling water is one of the cheapest, safest, and most reliable methods of water purification. It is effective in killing most organisms, including parasites and bacteria, that may be present in the water. Water should be boiled for at least 1-3 minutes, and for longer at higher altitudes, as water boils at lower temperatures at higher altitudes. After boiling, the water should be covered and left to cool before consumption. Boiling is a simple method that can be done at home, but it may not remove all impurities, and it can be time-consuming.

Filtration

Filtration is a cost-effective and commonly used method to purify water. It uses chemical and physical processes to remove compounds and impurities from the water, making it safe for drinking. Filtration is effective in removing both large and small contaminants, including sediment, chlorine, pesticides, and other dangerous compounds that can cause waterborne diseases. It is a quick process and does not deplete all mineral salts, resulting in healthier water compared to some other purification methods. There are various types of filters available, such as rapid sand filters and membrane filters, which can remove suspended solids, organic compounds, and improve the taste and odour of the water.

Distillation

Distillation is a purification process that uses heat to collect pure water in the form of vapour. It is effective because water has a lower boiling point than other contaminants. The water is heated until it boils and then left to vaporize. The vapour is collected and condensed back into liquid water, leaving behind other substances with higher boiling points. Distillation can remove bacteria, germs, salts, and heavy metals such as lead, mercury, and arsenic. However, it is a slow process, requires a heat source, and can be costly, making it more suitable for purifying small quantities of water.

Disinfection

Disinfection methods, such as chlorination, use disinfectants like chlorine to kill pathogens (viruses and bacteria) in the water. Chlorine can be added to the water in the form of tablets or liquid. It is an effective and cheap method of water purification, but it should be used with caution, especially for individuals with thyroid problems. Other disinfection methods include chlorine dioxide and chloramine disinfection, which have their own advantages and disadvantages.

Reverse Osmosis

Reverse osmosis (RO) is a type of water purification that forces water through a semi-permeable membrane to remove impurities, including biological contaminants and minerals. It is often combined with ultra-filtration (UF) and ultraviolet (UV) filters to create effective water purification systems for households.

Water companies in Bolivia's major cities

Bolivia's drinking water coverage has improved since 1990, but the country still has the lowest coverage levels and the lowest quality of service on the continent. Each major city in Bolivia has its own water company, and there are 14 water and sanitation providers in the country's largest cities.

In 1997, during the second mandate of President Hugo Banzer, the water supply and sanitation in Bolivia were privatized. Two major private concessions were made: one in La Paz/El Alto to Aguas del Illimani S.A. (AISA), a subsidiary of the French company Suez, and the second in Cochabamba to Aguas del Tunari, a subsidiary of the multinationals Biwater and Bechtel. However, following popular uprisings against water privatization in 2000 and 2005, these concessions were terminated. Aguas de Illimani was replaced by the public utility Empresa Pública Social de Agua y Saneamiento (EPSAS).

EPSAS faced criticism in 2008 for water shortages, accounting errors, tariff increases, and poor disaster preparedness. As a result, representatives of the La Paz neighborhood association announced their intention to create their own service provider.

The country's second-largest city, Santa Cruz de la Sierra, manages its water and sanitation system through cooperatives. The local water company is called SAGUAPAC, and it is a cooperative owned and operated by its customers. It is the best-managed water company in Latin America and treats 100% of its wastewater.

In recent years, the Bolivian government has set ambitious goals to achieve universal access to drinking water services by 2020 and sanitation services by 2025. Water For People, a non-profit organization, has been working in Bolivia since 1997 to help bring water, sanitation, and hygiene to communities. They implement piped water supply systems and build the capacity of communities to manage and maintain these systems long-term.

Water purification companies in Bolivia

Water purification and sanitation in Bolivia have been a matter of concern for the government, which has set ambitious goals to achieve universal access to drinking water services by 2020 and sanitation services by 2025. The country has made significant progress since 1990, with 90% of the population gaining access to "improved" water by 2015. However, Bolivia still faces challenges due to low coverage and service quality, political and institutional instability, and insufficient investment.

Pure Aqua, Inc.

Pure Aqua, Inc. is a global provider of water treatment solutions, offering a wide range of reverse osmosis and water treatment systems. The company has over 20 years of experience and provides customized solutions to meet the specific needs of its customers in Bolivia. Pure Aqua's systems are designed to treat various water sources, including surface water, groundwater, and government water supplies, ensuring that the treated water meets the World Health Organization's requirements.

Aguas del Illimani S.A. (AISA)

AISA, a subsidiary of the French company Suez (formerly Lyonnaise des Eaux), was granted a concession for water and sanitation services in La Paz/El Alto in 1997. However, following popular uprisings against water privatization in 2000 and 2005, the concession was terminated, and AISA was replaced by a public utility, Empresa Pública Social de Agua y Saneamiento (EPSAS).

Aguas del Tunari

Aguas del Tunari, a subsidiary of the multinational corporations Biwater and Bechtel, secured a concession for water and sanitation services in Cochabamba in 1999. However, similar to AISA, Aguas del Tunari's concession was terminated after protests against water privatization in 2000.

SAGUAPAC

SAGUAPAC is a water cooperative in Santa Cruz, Bolivia, and is the largest consumer-owned utility cooperative in the world. It is highly regarded for its management and performance, treating 100% of the wastewater generated in Santa Cruz. SAGUAPAC's indicators place it among the top water utilities in Latin America, according to the World Bank.

Water For People Canada

Water For People Canada has been working in Bolivia since 1997 to improve access to water, sanitation, and hygiene in communities. They implement piped water supply systems and empower communities to manage and maintain these systems sustainably. Additionally, they promote a market-based approach to sanitation, encouraging families to invest in their own household toilets and providing microfinance for sanitation improvements.

Water purification systems

One of the major issues in Bolivia's water sector is the privatisation of water supply and sanitation that took place during the 1997-2001 mandate of President Hugo Banzer. This privatisation process was met with widespread protests and two popular uprisings in Cochabamba and La Paz/El Alto, which ultimately led to the termination of concessions to foreign private companies. The privatisation process was seen as detrimental to increasing access to water and sanitation, as it resulted in increased water prices and a subsequent rise in poverty levels.

To address the issues in the water sector, the Bolivian government has set ambitious goals. The president has aimed to achieve universal access to drinking water services by 2020 and sanitation services by 2025. Additionally, the government has worked to increase citizen participation and strengthen community water rights.

Several companies offer water purification systems in Bolivia. One notable company is Pure Aqua, which provides a wide range of filtration and economical solutions customised to meet the specific needs of Bolivia's water resources. Pure Aqua has over 20 years of experience as a global provider of B2B water treatment solutions and offers a variety of reverse osmosis and water treatment systems. Their systems are designed to meet the World Health Organization's requirements, ensuring the production of safe and clean water.

Another company that has worked in Bolivia since 1997 is Water For People. This organisation focuses on implementing piped water supply systems and building the capacity of communities to manage and maintain these systems for the long term. They promote a market-based approach to sanitation, encouraging families to invest in their own household toilets and sanitation improvements. Water For People also supports the creation of water and sanitation offices (DMSBs) in Bolivia to facilitate the operation, maintenance, and oversight of water services at the local level.

In addition to these initiatives, various international companies offer water purification systems that could be utilised in Bolivia. These companies include Culligan, Kent RO Systems, Brita, Livpure Pvt. Ltd, Bluewater, Everpure, Blue Star, Aquasana, Katadyn, and Premier. Each of these companies provides advanced water purification technologies, such as reverse osmosis, ultraviolet (UV) water purifiers, and gravity-based purifiers, to ensure access to safe and clean drinking water.

Frequently asked questions