Cochabamba, Bolivia

In Cochabamba, NEGOWAT research focuses on negotiation processes linked to the development of water and sanitation services, concentrating on two peri-urban municipalities, Tiquipaya and Colcapirhua.

Cochabamba is a rapidly expanding city and basic services in the peri-urban areas need to be improved. However, in Tiquipaya and Colcapirhua a major water and sanitation infrastructure project has been strongly contested with many protests and demonstrations held. Objections of some groups include a lack of information and consultation, a perceived loss of control and community involvement, the high cost of the project and associated loans, concerns about proposals that involved privatisation, and the high water and sewerage charges that could be levied as a result.

Other contested issues in Tiquipaya/ Colcapirhua include concerns about changing land use and rates of urbanisation, management of the flood plain currently used for solid waste disposal, and sharing of mountain water resources between irrigators and domestic water supply agencies.