BWS Denies MICS7 Claims of Contaminated Water

Belize Water Services is clearing the air after concerns surfaced about E. coli in drinking water, following a recent report from the Statistical Institute of Belize. The company says the findings in the MICS Seven Report need context, and they’re assuring the public that tap water remains safe and fully potable. According to BWS, the testing methods used in that study didn’t follow internationally recognized standards for water-quality testing. In fact, the approach wasn’t designed to draw conclusions about national water quality or utilities like BWS. Importantly, none of the report’s findings came from BWS’s own treatment or distribution systems. BWS says it operates one of the most rigorous water-quality monitoring systems in the country, with daily testing across all service areas and monthly independent checks by regulators and participation in international benchmarking to ensure its processes meet global standards. Additionally, the Ministry of Health and Wellness responded to the findings, asserting that about four thousand samples are processed annually, which shows that the national drinking water supply remains safe. The statement from the ministry explained that routine microbial monitoring is conducted across sixteen Belize Water Services systems, one hundred and ten rudimentary systems, and one hundred and five bottled/purified operations and handpumps.