The water war: resistance against privatisation of water in Cochabamba, Bolivia

Abstract

The international consortium “Aguas del Tunari” was granted a concession to supply drinking water and a sewer system to the city of Cochabamba, Bolivia in September 1999. A month and a half later, the No. 2029 Act for the regulation of the water and sanitation sector was passed, containing a set of rules to legitimise such contracts with a strong bias towards privatisation and in addition, including rules that aimed to regulate the use and exploitation of water resources. Both events caused popular reactions and led to mass mobilisation of the population. In urban areas, the protests were sparked by the proposed excessive increases in water rates/tariffs, and in rural communities, there was widespread concern about the effects of the new law on traditional rights and access to water for irrigation and domestic uses. Social conflict erupted in February and April 2000, with several days of intense clashes between the so called “guerreros del agua” (water warriors) and the police. These clashes culminated in the declaration of a national state of siege. Social discontent was so great that the only possible solution was the cancellation of the Contract that had been agreed with the Consorcio Aguas del Tunari and the modification of more than 30 articles of the No. 2029 Act, which would become the new No. 2066 Act. What happened in the “guerra del agua” (water war) in Cochabamba had a strong international impact as an example of resistance against the privatisation of water and of water services, and the start in the country of a process of wider grassroots participation in the formulation of regulations and policies concerning water resources. It is in this context that the Consejo Interinstitucional del Agua or CONIAG (Inter-institutional Water Council) has been recently created, as a forum where government representatives, social organizations, the private sector, academic institutions and municipalities participate with the mission of reaching a consenThe water war: resistance against privatisation of water in Cochabamba, Bolivia