• http://dx.doi.org/10.18235/0012956

Inter-American Development Bank (2024). Summary Dataset: Water and Sanitation Tariffs in Latin America. IDB Open Data. https://doi.org/10.60966/j0655wn1

1. English

What is the Bolivia Tariff Structure — Water and Sanitation dataset?

This dataset, produced by the Knowledge Team of the Inter-American Development Bank’s Water and Sanitation Division, compiles standardized data on Bolivia’s tariff structure for water and sanitation services. It provides a transparent and comparable view of how water and sanitation tariffs are set, structured, and subsidized across utilities and municipalities in Bolivia.

What information does the dataset include?

The dataset covers: - Residential water and sanitation tariffs - Subsidy structures for low-income households - Tariff modalities (fixed, volumetric, progressive block systems) - Metering practices and service coverage levels - Utility characteristics, including ownership type, region, and population served

Each record corresponds to a utility or municipality, allowing cross-sectional and comparative analysis of pricing mechanisms.

Why is this dataset important?

Tariff design determines both the financial sustainability of water utilities and the affordability of services for households.
By documenting Bolivia’s tariff structures, the dataset helps evaluate how pricing models influence access, equity, and utilities' ability to maintain and expand coverage.

How can researchers use this dataset?

Researchers, policymakers, and practitioners can use this dataset to: - Compare tariff systems across Bolivian cities - Analyze subsidy targeting and affordability - Identify trends in water and sanitation pricing across Latin America - Support evidence-based policy reform on cost recovery and social equity

What are the main variables captured?

Key variables include: - Tariff type (flat rate, block tariff, volumetric) - Water consumption blocks and pricing by block - Sanitation charges and connection fees - Subsidy levels and eligibility criteria - Meter coverage (% of connections metered) - Utility data, such as population served and geographic coverage

What is the geographic scope of the dataset?

The dataset focuses on urban and peri-urban utilities across Bolivia, covering multiple departments and major cities. It also aligns with regional datasets for Latin America and the Caribbean, allowing cross-country comparison of tariff models.

How was the data collected?

The dataset aggregates publicly available information from: - Utility tariff schedules and annual reports - Regulatory agency publications - National water sector databases Data were reviewed and standardized by IDB’s Water and Sanitation Division (WSA) to ensure consistency across utilities and comparability across countries.

What are the dataset’s limitations?

• Tariff data represent official structures, which may differ from effective charges or billing practices.
• Subsidy and cost data may vary across utilities due to local policy differences.
• Periodic updates are needed to reflect regulatory changes and inflation adjustments.

What is the temporal coverage?

The data reflect the most recent tariff and subsidy structures available for 2023–2024, providing a snapshot of Bolivia’s water and sanitation pricing at the time of publication.

Who produced and maintains the dataset?

The dataset was developed by the Inter-American Development Bank’s Water and Sanitation Division (WSA) under the Water and Sanitation Observatory for Latin America and the Caribbean (OLAS) initiative.
OLAS provides open, reliable data to improve sector governance and support equitable access to water and sanitation services.

Explore Bolivia’s complete tariff structure and compare it with regional systems via the Water and Sanitation Observatory (OLAS).
You can also reference the companion report:
How Much Do Households Pay for Water Supply and Sanitation Services in Latin America? A Descriptive Analysis of Tariffs and Subsidies in the Region.

How are water and sewage rates calculated in Bolivia? The dataset shows both fixed-fee and increasing-block tariffs. For water, fixed fees average around 54.2 units, while block tariffs use 4–7 consumption blocks, with prices starting at around 0.2 per m³ and rising to ~36.7 per m³ in the final block. Wastewater tariffs follow similar fixed or block structures.

What is the comparison between Bolivia's water tariffs vs neighboring South American countries? The dataset includes Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Uruguay, and other countries, enabling cross-country comparisons of tariff levels and structures.

What are the different consumption blocks in the Bolivian tiered water tariff system? For water, block tariffs average 4.7–6.8 blocks, with block sizes around 12–13 m³ and kinkpoints ~134–205 m³.

What is Bolivia's water and sanitation tariff structure? Bolivia uses fixed fees and increasing block tariffs for both water and wastewater, with subsidies for economically disadvantaged and elderly groups.