In 1997 the government of Bolivia signed a contract with Aguas de Illimani (55% owned by the multinational water corporation Suez) to provide water in the La Paz/El Alto area of Bolivia. A citizen uprising calling for the termination of this contract took place in early 2005. The grievances included:

Water "service" provided by Suez
El Alto, Bolivia (photo by Claudia Lopez)

1. The company has refused to invest in the rehabilitation, maintenance and extension of the water system.
2. More than 200,000 people, usually the poorest communities, are outside of the area served by Aguas de Illimani. In these communities the residents must pay extra to have water transported in trucks or, many of the poorest residents, rely on hand-dug wells. The water in the hand-dug wells is not treated and often is contaminated with bacteria, lead, arsenic, among other contaminants. Residents complain of a range of health problems, including diarrhea, skin rashes, fevers, and other problems.
   
3. Even in areas that are served by water pipes, often people cannot afford the cost to connect to the water and sewage system. More than 70,000 people in the "served" area cannot afford the $445 fee that Aguas de Illimani charges to connect to the water services.
   
4. Aguas de Illimani has refused to extend the sewerage treatment system and in many areas raw sewerage is emptied into the rivers.

Currently, the new government of Bolivia is negotiating for the exit of Suez and promises to work toward the creation of a public company.

Read more

• Background on Suez audit and water struggle in El Alto, Bolivia
• Analysis of the audit of Suez (Aguas de Illimani) [PDF] | [word]
  
• Historia de la auditoria de Suez y la lucha para el agua en El Alto, Bolivia
• “Analisis a la Auditoria de Suez (Aguas de Illimani)” [PDF] | [word]
  

Useful resources

• Suez Strikes Back in Bolivia
• Bolivian Water Rates Hard to Swallow
• The Politics of Water in Bolivia

Take Action! Support El Alto / La Paz Campaign for Water Rights.