BWSL Criticised for Cutting Water Over $5 Balances

Belize Water Services Limited (BWSL) is facing criticism from customers who say their water supply is being disconnected over very small unpaid balances, sometimes as little as five dollars.

Several users have taken to social media to share their experiences. One customer wrote, “BWS de on today our bill of water was $8.41 we pay online Thursday now that the online banking work slow and that will come in till tmmrw and them cut my water today… we need the water in my house cz i have my family in there.”

Another said, “Last week I was home luckily and paid the $6 balance and when I told the guy the reconnection fee more than the balance. He said miss they cutting ppl out for shilling.”

A third commenter added, “My cousin got cut fi $5.00… They nuh give nobody wa lee run or be compassionate.”

The issue was also raised in the Senate last Tuesday by UDP Senator Sheena Pitts, who recounted her own experience when her firm’s water was cut off over a balance of just ten dollars and fifty‑one cents.

She explained that the firm usually pays its bills in advance, meaning the small outstanding amount had simply “drawn down over time” and gone unnoticed.

“For $10.51 the service was disconnected, and $25.00 had to be repaid,” Pitts told the Senate. “For the life of me, as the standard, they tell you you have to put a deposit in addition to the reconnection fee.”

She described the policy as “oppressive”, arguing that it places an unnecessary burden on households.

News 5 has reached out to BWSL for comment.