Welcome to Understanding Water Challenges in Bolivia

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Challenges for rural development still include access to water supply and sanitation

Tour stop audio transcript

Basic infrastructure is already in place in this rural community, including school infrastructure with playing fields, electricity and roads; but important challenges remain in the water sector: access to a reliable and good quality water service, safe sanitation, and adoption of improved hygiene behaviors.

Involvement of the population in the affairs of the community

Tour stop audio transcript

A typical meeting with a commission that visited the community. It could be misleading to think that only men participated. In reality, women also accompanied, although they stayed outside the meeting room. Men before coming to the meeting, they had already discussed their position in the meeting with women in their households.

Rainwater harvesting solutions in Bolivia’s rural highlands

Tour stop audio transcript

Water scarcity is a threat for households in arid regions. Simple and robust solutions as rainwater collecting tanks are probably the only solution to provide the rural population with dignified quality of life. Although they are expensive compared to other solutions, the economic benefits surpass the economic cost.

Small scale family sprinkler irrigation adoption of agricultural farming

Tour stop audio transcript

The success of an enterprise depends on several factors such as water, soil, quality of production, and access to markets. This is a successful example of a rural family living in a remote community in Bolivia that with the appropriate support in basic investments and technical assistance was able to develop a sustainable agriculture business.

A view of the proposed location for the wastewater treatment plant of La Paz city

Tour stop audio transcript

The proposed site for greenfield wastewater treatment plant for La Paz city with a projected capacity of 2.5 m3/s, currently under preparation, presents several challenges and opportunities including the possibility of improving the living conditions of city dwellers and farmers by reusing the treated effluent for agricultural production. Wastewater reuse in a water scarce area presents a truly win-win option for all.