Possible Water Shortage for Easter Break!

Water Supply restrictions in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye

- Press Release, Belize City, Belize. March 31, 2010 - Over the last 10 days, BWS has not been receiving adequate supplies of water from Consolidated Water Belize Ltd (CWBL), the private company that operates the Reverse Osmosis Water Treatment Plant on San Pedro, Ambergris Caye. BWS has been informed by CWBL that they have not been able to run the plant at normal capacity as they have been experiencing unusual matter clogging the filter membranes of the plant. CWBL further informed that they have not been able to clean membranes of this matter and that they have rapidly used up all their available spare membranes and have had to order additional membranes. CWBL is hopeful of having these additional membranes in country by tomorrow, Thursday April 1, 2010 in order to maintain adequate water production. BWS has been coordinating with CWBL over the last few days to try to maintain adequate storage to help meet the water demand over the Easter Weekend; unfortunately, it now appears that we may not be able to do so.

BWS hereby informs residents and visitors to San Pedro that, should the available supply continue to diminish, the company will have no choice but to restrict or ration water over the Easter Weekend. For health and sanitary reasons, BWS will attempt to keep any required water rationing restrictions to no more than a few hours at a time.

BWS reassures the public that the company has conducted tests on the water being supplied and confirms that the water is potable and safe for use. BWS has also informed the relevant regulatory authorities and the San Pedro Town Council of the water supply situation.

BWS apologies to San Pedro residents and visitors for any inconvenience that any necessary water supply restrictions may cause.

Belize Water Services Ltd. is committed to providing the best and most reliable service to all customers across the country.

(For more information regarding this or any other BWS Press Release, please contact Mr. Haydon Brown at Tel: 222-4757 Ext. 234 or via e-mail at haydon.brown@bwsl.com.bz)

Protest Against Water Rate Increase

A protest march took place this morning to publicly show opposition against the Public Utilities Commission’s (PUC) initial approval of a 10.6% increase of water rates for the Belize Water Service Ltd. A small group of island residents partook in the march around town at around 9a.m. this morning. Signatures were also collected against the rate increase that will be forwarded to the PUC.

Main Break cause Water Outage this morning

A break in a main water pipe on Pescador Drive has caused temporary outage to three areas in town this morning. Workers of Belize Water Services Ltd. have blocked the section of Pescador Drive from Rapidito Loans to the Fire Station in order to fix a broken pipe in front of Harmouch Center. The water outage is expected to only last about an hour and affect only the Boca Del Rio Area, San Pedrito Area and sections of Barrier Reef Drive.