Support to water and sanitation programme for intermediate and minor cities in Bolivia
Technical Assistance
This AECID-led project aims to increase water and sanitation services in Bolivia, one of the worst served countries in Latin America and the Caribbean. According to 2022 data, drinking water coverage reached 87.5% of the population, but only 69.4% in rural areas. Similarly, sanitation coverage was available to 64% of the population, but only to 45.6% of those living in rural areas. Wastewater treatment for municipalities was available only in 91 municipalities under 20,000 inhabitants, of which only 50% were functioning properly, representing only 14% of the population living in such areas. As these data show, Bolivia faces a great challenge to provide access to safe drinking water and sanitation, particularly in rural areas and in municipalities under 20,000 inhabitants, impacting health, the environment and the overall economy of the country.
In this context, the project aims to improve the living conditions of the population living in small and intermediate cities in Bolivia by increasing the coverage of drinking water and sanitation services, strengthening hygiene habits, and enhancing the water and sanitation operators to boost the resilience of the system. The project follows a human-rights and gender-centered approach, involving consultations and participation of rights-holders and the community, and improvements to the current infrastructure, which will limit carbon emissions.
The project seeks to increase access to sustainable and climate-resilient drinking water, sanitation and hygiene services in rural communities and small and intermediate towns. It will also strengthen water and sanitation operators in the beneficiary communities and populations. In particular:
- The project will support 20 communities in implementing a tool for incorporating the human rights approach to water and sanitation in municipal management.
- 12,204 households will benefit from access to drinking water in rural communities with fewer than 2,000 inhabitants and another 10,440 households in small towns with more than 2,000 inhabitants.
- 4,584 households will be connected to a new or improved sanitation system in rural communities with fewer than 2,000 inhabitants and another 12,672 in small towns with more than 2,000 inhabitants.
- 5 community facilities (schools, health centers, churches, etc.) will have new or improved access to drinking water and sanitation.
- 90 wastewater treatment plants will operate according to design specifications in rural communities affected by the program.
