Bolivia:

Privatising water Water is a valuable commodity, and its supply can make large profits for the companies controlling it. In 1999, the World Bank refused any further credit to the public water company, and instead pressurised the Bolivian government into privatising its water company. At the same time, it also advised against giving any subsidies to avoid steep price rises in supplies to the people. Once the company was sold off, this is exactly what happened, with some people facing rises of over $20 a month.

Impact on the people The terms of the concession sold by the government meant that local people could no longer collect rain water in wells and roof tanks, without paying for it. At the same time, the water supply was sometimes intermittent, and some people were only able to obtain running water for two hours a day. Not everyone was willing to accept this situation. In Cochabamba, the people decided to fight back and led a campaign to regain control of their water supply.

Impact on the people The terms of the concession sold by the government meant that local people could no longer collect rain water in wells and roof tanks, without paying for it. At the same time, the water supply was sometimes intermittent, and some people were only able to obtain running water for two hours a day. Not everyone was willing to accept this situation. In Cochabamba, the people decided to fight back and led a campaign to regain control of their water supply.

Government response This campaign was to involve thousands of local people, from all ages and backgrounds. They organised themselves into La Coordinadora - The Co-ordination for the Defence of Water and Life - and together manned barricades and led demonstrations. The government responded with teargas and military units. Following the death of a 17 year old boy and several other shootings, the private water company left the country and the government started to negotiate. The private contract was broken, and the water returned to the control of the people.