Water Solutions through Collective Management

The Water Solutions through Collective Management project was launched in 2003 in Cochabamba, Bolivia, to provide affordable, clean water to low-income communities in the city’s South Zone. Led by the Non-Governmental Organisation, Fundación Pro Hábitat, the project brings together local residents, a public water company (SEMAPA), a private pipe manufacturer (Agua Tuya), and community organisations to build and manage small-scale water systems.
In each participating neighbourhood, residents elect water committees to oversee system management. These systems include water tanks filled by trucks and connected by gravity to homes through underground pipes. Each household has a meter and pays for their usage. Families pay the full construction cost through low-interest micro-loans and monthly instalments of around $10–13. So far, 1,709 families in eight communities have benefited, gaining access to clean, safe water at a much lower cost than before—over 60% cheaper.
Residents, many of whom previously spent large portions of their income on unsafe water, now enjoy better hygiene, can build bathrooms and kitchens, and report fewer waterborne illnesses. The project has empowered women, with many taking on leadership roles, and has built community trust through transparent, collective decision-making.
The project uses simple, local materials like HDPE piping and includes training on water conservation, solid waste, and sanitation. Some residents have trained as plumbers, earning income from maintaining the systems.
This community-driven model offers an alternative to water privatisation, viewing water as a public right. It has influenced public policy and expanded to other communities in Cochabamba and cities like Santa Cruz and El Alto. Despite early mistrust and political tensions, strong local leadership and Pro Hábitat’s support helped the project succeed and grow. The model continues to evolve, with ongoing evaluations and funding from national and international partners.