Water resources management in Bolivia
Encyclopedia
Bolivia
Bolivia officially known as Plurinational State of Bolivia , is a landlocked country in central South America. It is the poorest country in South America...
has traditionally undertaken different water resources
Water resources
Water resources are sources of water that are useful or potentially useful. Uses of water include agricultural, industrial, household, recreational and environmental activities. Virtually all of these human uses require fresh water....
management approaches aimed at alleviating political and institutional instability in the water sector. The so called water wars of 2000 and 2006 in Cochabamba
Cochabamba
Cochabamba is a city in central Bolivia, located in a valley bearing the same name in the Andes mountain range. It is the capital of the Cochabamba Department and is the fourth largest city in Bolivia with an urban population of 608,276 and a metropolitan population of more than 1,000,000 people...
and El Alto
El Alto
At one time merely a suburb of adjacent La Paz, Bolivia, on the Altiplano highlands, the city of El Alto is today one of Bolivia's largest and fastest-growing urban centers. As of the 2001 census, the population was 649,958. In 2010, the population may be nearly 900,000, or more. The city contains...
, respectively, added social unrest and conflict into the difficulties of managing water resources in Bolivia. Evo Morales
Evo Morales
Juan Evo Morales Ayma , popularly known as Evo , is a Bolivian politician and activist, currently serving as the 80th President of Bolivia, a position that he has held since 2006. He is also the leader of both the Movement for Socialism party and the cocalero trade union...
’ administration is currently developing an institutional and legal framework aimed at increasing participation, especially for rural and indigenous communities, and separating the sector from previous privatization policies. In 2009, the new Environment and Water Resources Ministry was created absorbing the responsibilities previously under the Water Ministry. The Bolivian Government is in the process of creating a new Water Law – the current Water Law was created in 1906 – and increasing much needed investment on hydraulic infrastructure.
Water management history and recent developments
The 1906 Water Law (Ley general de aguas) marks the beginning of Bolivia's 20th Century water resources policy. The Water Law includes provisions such as water as a public good and establish Bolivian government as main authority responsible for water management. The definition of water rights is vague, “the water passing through the land belongs to the land owner as long as it does not affect others.” No provision is included for neither groundwater property rights nor water tariffs. The Water Law was minimally modified on 1945, to specify that “no water right includes the right to deny access to water to downstream water users.” In 1988, the Senate prepared a draft to modify the Water Law to include provisions such as groundwater as public domain, and to establish a water fee for farmers based on the area benefited with improved irrigation infrastructure. Similar attempts occurred in 1995 and 1999, when the government together with the World Bank and GTZ drafted a Water Law including some fundamental principles included in the 1988 version plus provisions on institutional framework and concessions of water rights. None of the three drafts turned into a new Water Law.Despite these efforts to concentrate water resources management into a single legal document, the different sectors involved in water use continue to act separately in accordance with several laws such as the Electricity Act, the Hydrocarbon Act, the Mining Code and the Environmental act. The lack of a clear legal and institutional framework has made difficult to ensure appropriate quality and quantity of water for the different water users in the medium and long term.
Surface and groundwater resources
Bolivia can be divided into three areas, which correspond to the eastern area (a tropical and subtropical region), the western area (the arid, semi arid and sub-humid dry region), and the TiticacaLake Titicaca
Lake Titicaca is a lake located on the border of Peru and Bolivia. It sits 3,811 m above sea level, making it the highest commercially navigable lake in the world...
basin. The hydrographic system consists of three large basins:
- the Amazon BasinAmazon BasinThe Amazon Basin is the part of South America drained by the Amazon River and its tributaries that drains an area of about , or roughly 40 percent of South America. The basin is located in the countries of Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Peru, and Venezuela...
which measures approximately 724,000 km² and covers 66% of Bolivia’s territory; - the closed (endorreic) basin, which measures 145,081 km² or 13% of the territory; and
- the Rio Plata BasinParaguay RiverThe Paraguay River is a major river in south central South America, running through Brazil, Bolivia, Paraguay, and Argentina...
, which covers 229,500 km² or 21% of the nation’s territory.
The Amazon basin has a high flow of water and it is prone to floods. The Parana basin represents approximately 42% of the total area of Bolivia and it is prone to droughts and desertification. The quantity and quality of hydrological information is very poor.
River Basins in Bolivia
| Basin Name | Main Rivers | Surface Area (1000 km2) | Average Flow (km3/year) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amazon Basin Amazon Basin The Amazon Basin is the part of South America drained by the Amazon River and its tributaries that drains an area of about , or roughly 40 percent of South America. The basin is located in the countries of Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Peru, and Venezuela... |
Madre de Dios Madre de Dios River The Madre de Dios River, homonymous to the Peruvian region it runs through, then becomes the Beni River in Bolivia and then turns northward into Brazil, where it is called the Madeira River... , Orthon, Abuna, Beni Beni River The Beni River is a river in the north of Bolivia.It rises north of La Paz and flows northeast through the pampas. One of the tributary rivers is Tuichi River in the Madidi National Park. Tuichi River joins the Beni River upstream from the town Rurrenabaque. South of Rurrenabaque, Río Beni runs... , Grande Río Grande (Bolivia) The Río Grande in Bolivia rises on the southern slope of the Sierra de Cochabamba, east of the city of Cochabamba, at . At its source it is known as the Río Rocha and crosses the Cochabamba valley basin in a westerly direction... , Mamoré e Itenez |
887 | 572 |
| Plata La Plata Basin The Río de la Plata Basin , sometimes called the Platine basin or Platine region, is the name given to the hydrographical area that covers parts of Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, Paraguay and Uruguay... |
Pilcomayo Pilcomayo River The Pilcomayo River is a river in central South America. At long, it is the longest western tributary of the Paraguay River. Its drainage basin is in area, and its mean discharge is .... , Bermejo Bermejo River The Bermejo River is a river in South America that flows from Bolivia to the Paraguay River in Argentina. The river is generally called Bermejo in spite of its different names along its way, but it also has its own Native American names; in Wichí it is called Teuco, and in Guaraní it is called Ypitá... , San Juan y Paraguay Paraguay River The Paraguay River is a major river in south central South America, running through Brazil, Bolivia, Paraguay, and Argentina... |
234 | 47.5 |
| Altiplano | Desaguadero Desaguadero River (Bolivia) The Desaguadero River in Peru and Bolivia is the river that drains Lake Titicaca. It exits the lake at the southern part of the river basin, it flows south and drains approximately five percent of the lake's flood waters into Lake Uru Uru and Lake Poopó.... , Lake Titicaca Lake Titicaca Lake Titicaca is a lake located on the border of Peru and Bolivia. It sits 3,811 m above sea level, making it the highest commercially navigable lake in the world... , Poopó, Salares de Uyuni Salar de Uyuni Salar de Uyuni is the world's largest salt flat at . It is located in the Potosí and Oruro departments in southwest Bolivia, near the crest of the Andes, and is elevated above the mean sea level. The Salar was formed as a result of transformations between several prehistoric lakes... y Coipasa |
191 | 14.7 |
Source: FAO
Storage capacity
According to the Food and Agriculture OrganizationFood and Agriculture Organization
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations is a specialised agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. Serving both developed and developing countries, FAO acts as a neutral forum where all nations meet as equals to negotiate agreements and...
, Bolivia has five dams aimed mostly at hydropower generation.
Water quality
Water quality
Water quality is the physical, chemical and biological characteristics of water. It is a measure of the condition of water relative to the requirements of one or more biotic species and or to any human need or purpose. It is most frequently used by reference to a set of standards against which...
is due to the release of untreated effluents from industries and cities. For example, in the Andean region
Andes
The Andes is the world's longest continental mountain range. It is a continual range of highlands along the western coast of South America. This range is about long, about to wide , and of an average height of about .Along its length, the Andes is split into several ranges, which are separated...
, rivers transport high values of organic material, up to 100 mg/l. This water is used for irrigated agriculture downstream.
In the Amazon region, erosion and land use upstream, especially mining, deteriorate water quality due to high concentration of sediments.
Forestry and agriculture also have an impact on water quality in Bolivia. For example, sugarcane
Sugarcane
Sugarcane refers to any of six to 37 species of tall perennial grasses of the genus Saccharum . Native to the warm temperate to tropical regions of South Asia, they have stout, jointed, fibrous stalks that are rich in sugar, and measure two to six metres tall...
production is considered one of the main causes in the decreasing on fisheries in the Rio Pirai (Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz de la Sierra
Santa Cruz de la Sierra, commonly known as Santa Cruz, is the capital of the Santa Cruz department in eastern Bolivia and the largest city in the country...
)
Water related risks
Natural disasters directly affect Bolivia’s development; because they cause capital losses, and damage hydraulic and other type of infrastructures. Such losses, in turn, influence economic indicators such as inflation and production, which in turn increase poverty.Floods and landslides in the rainy season affect a wide range of hydraulic infrastructure. Since year 2000, a notable increase in climate-related disaster situations have been observed in Bolivia, some of them associated with El Niño/La Niña events. In 2002, the Potosi Province experienced an unprecedented heavy snow storm, which affected about 3,000 inhabitants and killed 20,000 animals; and the La Paz Province was struck by a destructive hail, causing the death of 70 persons and US$70 million in losses.
In 2004, a prolonged drought affected the Chaco Region, which consists of the Departments of Santa Cruz, Chuquisaca and Tarija, threatened the food security, health and nutritional status of approximately 180,000 people, of which 15 percent were children. El Niño 2006/2007 event caused economic losses estimated at US$0.44 billion or 4 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) and impacted about 133,100 families or 0.56 million people, equivalent to five times the population affected by El Niño 1997/1998. About 54 percent of the losses occurred in the rural areas. La Niña 2007/2008 event caused damage and losses evaluated at US$0.52 billion, 20 percent higher than the previous event and impacted about 123,600 families. The agricultural sector absorbed about 53 percent of these losses and damage.
Potential climate change impacts
According to a study about Climate Change in Bolivia published in 2007 by the Bolivian Government, the anticipated impacts of Climate Change on water resources are:- Extreme events: Hydrometeorological extreme events are frequent in Bolivia and will tend to rise in magnitude and intensity by the impact of climate change. The IPCC (2001) foresees greater frequency and intensity of extreme events due to climate change. In recent years, the occurrence of tropical storms has increased in Bolivia, with winds higher than 28 m/s according to the Beaufort scale, causing major damage. It has also been observed presence of convective movements with violent hail storms as those registered in the city of La Paz in February 2002 and 2003.
- Droughts: Climate change could exacerbate water shortages in the arid and semi-arid valleys and reduce water availability in the highlands. Many productive and urban areas are located in the arid or semi-arid region with rudimentary water systems supplied by wells or rivers. These supply systems are vulnerable to water availability, since they lack reservations that would make water available during the dry season.
- Floods: Climate change could increase intense rainfall causing floods that could lead to significant infrastructural damage. According to regional scenarios, it is expected a reduction of periods of rain with an increased probability of heavy rainfall in a short time. In this sense the country still lacks systems to study rainfall patterns as well as early warning systems which increase the vulnerability of the populations especially those in unplanned settlements. In addition, many basins in Bolivia do count with integrated water resources management system in place with activities aimed at watershed protection. This translates into degradation of soils, declining aquifer recharge, reduced availability of water, which overall reduces economic productivity and income of its inhabitants.
- Glacier Retreat: Documented glaciers retreat, due to increase of temperatures, may increase seasonal runoff in the sort term and increase dependency on seasonal rainfall for water supply in the medium and long term. According to Francou, Bolivia’s Chacaltaya glacier, situated 20 km NE of the city of La Paz, has lost 82% of its surface area since 1982 and may completely melt by 2013. (See Impacts of Glacier Retreat in the Andes:Documentary)
Anticipated impacts of Climate Change by Region
| Region | Change scenario | Anticipated impacts |
|---|---|---|
| Altiplano | Increased precipitation, increased frequency of storms with fewer days of rain, increased frequency of hail, lower river flow | Increasing appearance of frost, increasing need of water for irrigation due to longer dry season, problems with hydropower generation, glacier retreat, crop failure, flooding in the rainy season, lower availability of water for human and animal consumption, lower aquifer recharge, increased competition for water use |
| Andean Valleys | Increased precipitation, increased frequency of storms with fewer days of rain, increased frequency of hail | Increased competition for water use, biodiversity loss, increasing need of water for irrigation due to longer dry season, increased risk of mudslides, problems with power generation, soil erosion and desertification |
| Chaco | Longer dry season during the growing season, intense and recurrent droughts, low river flow | Increased competition for water use, biodiversity loss, increased events of heat waves during the summer, soil erosion and desertification, increased pollution of water sources |
| Amazon | winter |
Source: National Program for Climate Change
Drinking water and sanitation
BoliviaBolivia
Bolivia officially known as Plurinational State of Bolivia , is a landlocked country in central South America. It is the poorest country in South America...
’s water and sanitation
Sanitation
Sanitation is the hygienic means of promoting health through prevention of human contact with the hazards of wastes. Hazards can be either physical, microbiological, biological or chemical agents of disease. Wastes that can cause health problems are human and animal feces, solid wastes, domestic...
coverage has greatly improved since 1990 due to a considerable increase in sectoral investment. However, the country continues to suffer from what happens to be the continent’s lowest coverage levels as well as from low quality of services. The lowest levels of coverage are found in the departments of Pando
Pando
-People:*Pando of Capua , "Pando the Rapacious", Count of Capua*Gabriela Pando , Argentine field hockey player*José Manuel Pando , 29th President of Bolivia*Juan Pando , Spanish historian...
, Potosí
Potosí
Potosí is a city and the capital of the department of Potosí in Bolivia. It is one of the highest cities in the world by elevation at a nominal . and it was the location of the Spanish colonial mint, now the National Mint of Bolivia...
, and Oruro
Oruro Department
Oruro is a department in Bolivia, with an area of 53,588 km². Its capital is the city of Oruro. At the time of census 2001 it had a population of 391,870.- Provinces of Oruro :...
. Increasing coverage requires a substantial increase of investment financing, which has dropped back since 2000.
The next table reflects access to water supply and sanitation services in 2006.
| Urban (64% ofthe population) | Rural (36% ofthe population) | Total | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Water | Broad definition | 95% | 68% | 85% |
| House connections | 90% | 44% | 73% | |
| Sanitation | Broad definition | 60% | 22% | 46% |
| Sewerage | 39% | 2% | 26% | |
Source: Joint Monitoring Program WHO
Who
Who may refer to:* Who , an English-language pronoun* who , a Unix command* Who?, one of the Five Ws in journalism- Art and entertainment :* Who? , a 1958 novel by Algis Budrys...
/UNICEF(JMP/2006). Data for water and sanitation based on the Housing Survey (2002), Bolivia Democratic and Health Survey (2003), and Survey of Multiple Indicators by Conglomerates (Encuesta de Multiples Indicadores por Conglomerados, 2000).
Irrigation and drainage
The government considers irrigated agricultureIrrigation
Irrigation may be defined as the science of artificial application of water to the land or soil. It is used to assist in the growing of agricultural crops, maintenance of landscapes, and revegetation of disturbed soils in dry areas and during periods of inadequate rainfall...
as a major contributor to "better quality of life
Quality of life
The term quality of life is used to evaluate the general well-being of individuals and societies. The term is used in a wide range of contexts, including the fields of international development, healthcare, and politics. Quality of life should not be confused with the concept of standard of...
, rural
Rural Development
USDA Office of Rural Development is an agency with the United States Department of Agriculture which runs programs intended to improve the economy and quality of life in rural America....
and national development" and is undertaking a major institutional reform in sector including the creation of a National Irrigation Plan. Bolivia has an irrigated area of approximately 2,265 km³ or about 11% of the total agricultural land 21,000 km³. There are about 5,000 irrigation systems in Bolivia, most of them located in the South and Southwestern areas (Valles and Antiplano). These irrigation systems consist of rudimentary web of canals supplied by rainfall with few regulatory schemes such as dams, which makes them very vulnerable to seasonality of rain
Rain
Rain is liquid precipitation, as opposed to non-liquid kinds of precipitation such as snow, hail and sleet. Rain requires the presence of a thick layer of the atmosphere to have temperatures above the melting point of water near and above the Earth's surface...
.Overall efficiency of irrigation systems varies from 18 to 30% in traditional systems to 35-50% in improved systems.
Hydropower
The electricity sector in BoliviaBolivia
Bolivia officially known as Plurinational State of Bolivia , is a landlocked country in central South America. It is the poorest country in South America...
was privatized in the early 1990s. The supply is dominated by thermal generation (60%), while hydropower (40%) has a smaller share in its generation mix compared to other South American countries (LAC
LAC
-Places:* Los Angeles County in California* La Crescenta, California, unincorporated area in Los Angeles County* California State Prison, Los Angeles County...
average hydropower capacity is 51%). The electricity coverage in rural areas is among the lowest in Latin America.
Aquatic ecosystems
Bolivian ecosystems are linked with the characteristics of every river basin. The Endorreic basin hosts a typical Central Andean dry punaCentral Andean dry puna
The Central Andean dry puna is an ecoregion, in the Montane grasslands and shrublands biome, located in the Andean High plateau, in South America...
, the inter-Andean valleys host mountain forest, and the east valleys host tropical forests and wet savannas. The endorreic basin, with little vegetation and precipitation and 40% of Bolivia’s population, has traditionally been dedicated to agriculture and mining. In the inter-Andean valleys, with steep slopes, there is a need for irrigation and terraces
Terrace (agriculture)
Terraces are used in farming to cultivate sloped land. Graduated terrace steps are commonly used to farm on hilly or mountainous terrain. Terraced fields decrease erosion and surface runoff, and are effective for growing crops requiring much water, such as rice...
to avoid soil erosion. These valleys produce high crop yields and have a positive impact on Bolivia’s overall economy. Drainage systems and fragility of soil are the main challenges in the tropical east. Agriculture in this area has grown to produce soya
Soya
Soya can mean:* Soya bean* Sōya District, Hokkaidō* Sōya Subprefecture, Hokkaidō* Soya3D, a high-level three-dimensional rendering engine for the Python programming language* Soya sauce, a fermented sauce made from soybeans, roasted grain, water and salt....
, cotton
Cotton
Cotton is a soft, fluffy staple fiber that grows in a boll, or protective capsule, around the seeds of cotton plants of the genus Gossypium. The fiber is almost pure cellulose. The botanical purpose of cotton fiber is to aid in seed dispersal....
, sunflower
Sunflower
Sunflower is an annual plant native to the Americas. It possesses a large inflorescence . The sunflower got its name from its huge, fiery blooms, whose shape and image is often used to depict the sun. The sunflower has a rough, hairy stem, broad, coarsely toothed, rough leaves and circular heads...
s, and sugarcane
Sugarcane
Sugarcane refers to any of six to 37 species of tall perennial grasses of the genus Saccharum . Native to the warm temperate to tropical regions of South Asia, they have stout, jointed, fibrous stalks that are rich in sugar, and measure two to six metres tall...
.
Legal framework
The former Water Ministry made an effort to draft a Water Law integrating the multipurpose use of water on a coherent and unique legal document. It is uncertain whether the new Environment and Water Resources Ministry will continue with this effort. In the meantime, two of the most important sectors in terms of social impact are regulated under a specific law, namely the Water and Sanitation Services Law No. 2066 and the Irrigation Law No. 7828.The Irrigation Law establishes a system for granting and registering traditional water user rights “guaranteeing legally and permanently water for irrigation.” This registration of water rights for irrigation limits somehow the way in which the government can grant access to other water users through the future Water Law. .
The Water and Sanitation Services Law No. 2029 of 1999, was revised in 2000 after Cochabamba’s water war into Law No. 2066. The new law includes provisions for protection of traditional water-sharing arrangements through a system of official licenses and increase local communities participation in decision making processes such as the establishment of water tariffs. The Agency for the Supervision of Basic Sanitation (SISAB), (Superintendencia de Agua y Saneamiento Basico) which grants concession
Concession (contract)
A concession is a business operated under a contract or license associated with a degree of exclusivity in business within a certain geographical area. For example, sports arenas or public parks may have concession stands. Many department stores contain numerous concessions operated by other...
s and licenses and establishes the principles to set prices, tariffs, taxes, and quotas, was not modified by the new Law. The Government of Evo Morales considers passing a new water and sanitation services law called “Water for Life”. According to Vice-Minister Rene Orellana, this new legal framework would eliminate the SISAB and introduce a decentralized regulator in its place. Regulatory taxes would be eliminated along with the legal concept of the concession. A preferential electricity tariff would be introduced for EPSAs and community water rights would be strengthened.
Institutional framework
The Environment and Water Resources Ministry, the national water authority, created in 2009 is responsible for planning, implementing, monitoring, evaluating, and funding plans and policies for water resources management. It consists of three vice ministries: (i) water supply and basic sanitation, (ii) water resources and irrigation, and (iii) environment, biodiversity and climate change.At the regional level, and according to the Administrative Decentralization Law, the prefectures are responsible for water management and conservation of water resources, including integrated water resources management under a river basing management approach.
At the local level, the municipalities are responsible for water management and development inside its jurisdiction according to the Municipalities Law. Local actors include water users and farmer organizations, campesino communities, indigenous people, public and private enterprises, NGOs, Universities, and public local entities.
The Interinstitucional del Agua (CONIAG), created in 2002 though Decree No. 26599, is aimed at create a forum for government, social and economic organizations to agree on legal, institutional and technical aspects related to water resources management.
Government strategy
Morales’ administration is currently in the process of developing water resources management in Bolivia under the framework of the Policy known as “Agua para Todos.”Particularly the government is aiming at: (i) establishing a sustainable, participatory, and integral water resources management through the Water Resources Management National Strategy, River Basin National Plan and Water Sector Information Program; (ii)protecting ecosystems through a Desertification Prevention Plan; (iii)increasing civil society collaboration through a Coordination Mechanisms Strengthening Plan
Water pricing, cost recovery and subsidies
The Water Law of 1906 did not establish any type of payment for water use. Irrigation legislation establishes a payment for water use equal to maintenance of the water system. The irrigation associations are in charge of establishing the water tariff which does not include cost recovery or upgrading or extending the water system.For water supply and sanitation in rural areas, there are per capita subsidies of US$70 for water supply and 65US$ for sanitation. Moreover, the is an indirect subsidy on interest rates for internal financing funds and those projects co financed by Non-governmental organizations.
The campesino and indigenous community have never paid for water use. This together with the fact that they are the poorest group in Bolivia has traditionally excluded this group for water user tariffs in Water Law drafted in the past. Moreover, the Water Law of 1906 does not either establish a system to grant water rights. Hence to this date, there is no document or title defining who and to which extent water can be used in Bolivia.
National investment
Bolivia’s national investment on water resources has been in decline at the beginning of this century but has increased in the last couple of years.Budgeted and actual investment on water resources
| Year | Budgeted (US$1,000) | % total budget | Invested (US$1,000) | % Total budget | % Budget invested |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | 4,979 | N/A | 2,134 | N/A | 42.9 |
| 2000 | 3,666 | N/A | 5,840 | N/A | 159.3 |
| 2001 | 6,803 | N/A | 8,335 | N/A | 122.5 |
| 2002 | 6,803 | N/A | 8,335 | N/A | 146.9 |
| 2003 | 119,527 | 2.4 | 85,249 | 2.2 | 71.3 |
| 2004 | 74,849 | 2.0 | 95,542 | 2.2 | 127.6 |
| 2005 | 61,283 | 1.3 | 140,102 | 2.7 | 228.8 |
| 2006 | 113,531 | 2.0 | 146,102 | 2.7 | 228.6 |
| 2007 | 162,245 | 1.8 | 242,132 | 3.0 | 149.2 |
Source: Vice Ministry of Public Investment and External Financing
External cooperation
The Inter-American Development BankInter-American Development Bank
The Inter-American Development Bank is the largest source of development financing for Latin America and the Caribbean...
is currently implementing a US$ 300,000 project to create a strategy for integrated management of water resources together with the Water Ministry.
The Dutch and Swedish cooperation agencies collaborated with the River Basin and Water Resources Viceministry to create the River Basin National Plan. This plan was approved in May 2007. The River Basin and Water Resources Viceministry is implementing the plan in 12 selected basins in Cochabamba
Cochabamba
Cochabamba is a city in central Bolivia, located in a valley bearing the same name in the Andes mountain range. It is the capital of the Cochabamba Department and is the fourth largest city in Bolivia with an urban population of 608,276 and a metropolitan population of more than 1,000,000 people...
, Chuquisaca
Chuquisaca Department
Chuquisaca is a department of Bolivia located in the center south. It borders on the departments of Cochabamba, Tarija, Potosí, and Santa Cruz. The departmental capital is Sucre, which is also the constitutional capital of Bolivia.-Geography:...
, Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz de la Sierra
Santa Cruz de la Sierra, commonly known as Santa Cruz, is the capital of the Santa Cruz department in eastern Bolivia and the largest city in the country...
and Oruro
Oruro, Bolivia
Oruro is a city in Bolivia with a population of 235,393 , located about equidistant between La Paz and Sucre at approximately 3710 meters above sea level. It is the capital of the department of Oruro....
departments with a total investment of US$6 million.
The Irrigation Viceministry has channeled national and cooperation funds including US$16 million from the Corporacion Andina de Fomento
Corporación Andina de Fomento
CAF – Latin American development bank – has the mission of stimulating sustainable development and regional integration by financing projects in the public and private sectors, and providing technical cooperation and other specialized services...
, US$18 million from the German government and US$ 270 million from the Inter-American Development Bank with to prepare and implement a number of irrigation projects. (See article
Irrigation in Bolivia
Bolivia’s government considers irrigated agriculture as a major contributor to "better quality of life, rural and national development." After a period of social unrest caused by the privatization of water supply in Cochabamba and La Paz, the government of Evo Morales is undertaking a major...
)
The World Bank assists the Bolivian Government in a number of projects with a water resources management component including: (i) Water Related Adaptation to Climate Change, (ii) Emergency Recovery and Disaster Management; (iii) Adaptation to the Impact of Rapid Glacier Retreat in the Tropical Andes; (iv) Urban Infrastructure for the Poor; and (v) Community Development and Food Security.
In the area of Climate Change, Bolivia - together with Bangladesh, Cambodia, Mozambique, Nepal, Niger, Tajikistan and Zambia – has been selected to be part of the Pilot Program for Climate Resilience (PPCR) under the Strategic Climate Fund. The PPCR will provide about $500 million for integrating climate resilience in national development planning. It is expected that water resources management will be an integral part of the activities supported by the fund, whose resources will be channelled through the regional development banks and the World Bank.
See also
- Irrigation in BoliviaIrrigation in BoliviaBolivia’s government considers irrigated agriculture as a major contributor to "better quality of life, rural and national development." After a period of social unrest caused by the privatization of water supply in Cochabamba and La Paz, the government of Evo Morales is undertaking a major...
- Water supply and sanitation in BoliviaWater supply and sanitation in BoliviaBolivia’s water and sanitation coverage has greatly improved since 1990 due to a considerable increase in sectoral investment. However, the country continues to suffer from what happens to be the continent’s lowest coverage levels as well as from low quality of services...