OLAS Simplified GLAAS - WASH Governance

By Water and Sanitation Division (VPS/INE/WSA)

The OLAS Simplified GLAAS for LAC dataset provides information on WASH governance in 30 countries across Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) for 2018 and 2021. It is derived from the UN-Water Global Analysis and Assessment of Sanitation and Drinking-Water (GLAAS) survey by UN-Water and WHO.

The dataset collects country-level data on water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) systems with emphasis on governance, monitoring, finance, and human resources. It enables cross-country comparisons of glass water, the basic sanitation services IDB dataset, and institutional arrangements in LAC.

Dataset highlights

  • Includes indicators of governance, monitoring, finance, and human resources
  • Covers links to basic sanitation services in Latin America
  • Sheds light on unsafe drinking water in Latin America
  • Supports analysis of sanitation in Latin America within WASH governance

Access more details
GLAAS Data Portal: glaas.who.int

Source WHO, UN-Water Global Analysis and Assessment of Sanitation and Drinking-Water, 2018–19 and 2021–22, accessed April 2023—respectful acknowledgment to the Latin American and Caribbean countries participating in the survey.

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Metadata & use

Identifier https://doi.org/10.60966/6mdy62my
License Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International
Citation

Inter-American Development Bank, et al. (2023). OLAS Simplified GLAAS - WASH Governance. IDB Open Data. https://doi.org/10.60966/6mdy62my

Published date 2023-05-09
Modified date 2026-08-26
Tags/Keywords GLAAS · Governance · OLAS · Sanitation · Water
Language
  1. Spanish
Temporal coverage 2018-2022
Country
Anguilla
Antigua & Barbuda
Argentina
Barbados
Belize
Bolivia
Brazil
British Virgin Islands
Chile
Colombia
Costa Rica
Cuba
Dominican Republic
Ecuador
El Salvador
Grenada
Guatemala
Guyana
Haiti
Honduras
Jamaica
Mexico
Nicaragua
Panama
Paraguay
Peru
St. Lucia
Trinidad & Tobago
Uruguay
Venezuela
Region Latin America and the Caribbean
Publisher
Inter-American Development Bank
Author
Inter-American Development Bank
World Health Organization
Data collection type Observational Data
Statistical type Cross-sectional Data
Data structure Structured Data
Data notes

What is the OLAS Simplified GLAAS for LAC dataset?

The OLAS Simplified GLAAS for LAC dataset is a streamlined version of the UN-Water GLAAS survey, focusing on WASH governance in 30 Latin American and Caribbean countries for 2018 and 2021.

Which governance dimensions are included?

It covers topics such as:
- water and sanitation governance
- monitoring systems
- sector finance
- human resources
- institutional coordination
- regulatory roles

Which countries and time points are covered?

The dataset includes 30 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean, with data from survey rounds in 2018 and 2021.
These countries are:
- Anguilla
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Argentina
- Barbados
- Belize
- Bolivia
- Brazil
- British Virgin Islands
- Chile
- Colombia
- Costa Rica
- Cuba
- Dominican Republic
- Ecuador
- El Salvador
- Grenada
- Guatemala
- Guyana
- Haiti
- Honduras
- Jamaica
- Mexico
- Nicaragua
- Panama
- Paraguay
- Peru
- Saint Lucia
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Uruguay
- Venezuela

Which countries and time points are covered?

The dataset includes 30 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean, with data from survey rounds in 2018 and 2021.

Where can I download the complete GLAAS data?

You can visit the GLAAS Data Portal at https://glaas.who.int/ for the complete datasets, metadata, and documentation.

What is water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) governance?

WASH governance refers to the institutional frameworks, policies, and accountability mechanisms that countries adopt to manage water, sanitation, and hygiene services. In Latin America and the Caribbean, the OLAS Simplified GLAAS dataset shows that most countries have national development plans addressing drinking water and sanitation, with lead ministries responsible for oversight (e.g., Argentina’s DNAPyS and Brazil’s Ministry of Cities).

What is the impact of climate change on WASH governance frameworks?

Several countries report integrating climate resilience into WASH planning. For example, Chile’s national development plan (2018–2022) includes adaptation measures for rural water systems, while Cuba’s framework (2018–2030) incorporates risk management for coastal and marine contamination. The dataset shows that climate considerations are increasingly embedded in governance structures.

How to measure the effectiveness of water sector governance?

The dataset provides indicators such as national targets for drinking water and sanitation coverage (e.g., Belize’s 2030 targets, Cuba’s 2030 targets), surveillance systems for water quality (e.g., Colombia’s monitoring framework), and policy implementation status. Effectiveness is measured by whether countries have formal plans, standards, and monitoring mechanisms in place.

Why does poor governance lead to water scarcity?

The dataset illustrates that weak or fragmented governance — such as lack of national standards or unclear institutional responsibilities — results in uneven service coverage. For example, Argentina’s decentralized provincial frameworks create disparities in water quality enforcement. Poor governance undermines investment, monitoring, and equitable access, contributing to scarcity.

What is the difference between centralized vs decentralized water governance models?

A: The dataset shows mixed approaches. Argentina and Brazil operate with decentralized provincial or municipal responsibilities, while Cuba and Belize maintain centralized national frameworks. Centralized models provide uniform standards, while decentralized systems allow local adaptation but often struggle with consistency and financial sustainability.

What is the difference between WASH governance and Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM)?

The dataset focuses on WASH governance and does not explicitly cover IWRM. However, some countries (e.g., Argentina, Brazil) reference broader resource management frameworks in their national policies, indicating overlap between WASH service governance and integrated water resource planning.

Dataset files

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