Leiden University Student Repository

Muller, Daniela (2018)

Compatibility of Social Equity with Economic Efficiency in the Water Sector: The Case of Bolivia

Bachelor thesis | International Studies (BA)

Lack of water access and inequality are deeply interrelated, particularly in developing countries such as Bolivia, where the poor often pay more money for less water. Simultaneously, continuous population growth and water scarcity prompting the rising demand for water, illustrates the necessity for large capital investments in infrastructure to ensure universal water access. For this reason, water management and regulation play a crucial role in water provision, as well as, in achieving sufficient profits for the water system’s economic sustainability. The main focus of this thesis is whether both, social equity and economic efficiency, can be achieved by water utility systems. This thesis studies the social and economic performance of six different water utility services in Bolivia, as well as, the effects of certain public policies on social equity and economic efficiency. Finally, it argues that the six cases of private, public, and cooperative water utility services analysed,...Show moreLack of water access and inequality are deeply interrelated, particularly in developing countries such as Bolivia, where the poor often pay more money for less water. Simultaneously, continuous population growth and water scarcity prompting the rising demand for water, illustrates the necessity for large capital investments in infrastructure to ensure universal water access. For this reason, water management and regulation play a crucial role in water provision, as well as, in achieving sufficient profits for the water system’s economic sustainability. The main focus of this thesis is whether both, social equity and economic efficiency, can be achieved by water utility systems. This thesis studies the social and economic performance of six different water utility services in Bolivia, as well as, the effects of certain public policies on social equity and economic efficiency. Finally, it argues that the six cases of private, public, and cooperative water utility services analysed, show deficiencies in either one of the two criteria.Show less

Water Management Bolivia

Social Equity

Economic Efficiency

Privatized

public

and cooperative water utility systems

Author

Muller, Daniela

Faculty

Faculty of Humanities

Specialisation

Latin America

Supervisors

Amann, Edmund

ECTS Credits

15

Language

en