BWS, Health Ministry, and SIB: Belize’s Drinking Water Is Safe!

After the release of some MICS survey results from the Statistical Institute of Belize (SIB) raised concerns about E. coli in drinking water, both Belize Water Services (BWS) and the Ministry of Health reassured the public that the water remains safe to drink. Today, the three agencies held a joint press conference to address these concerns further.

BWS emphasised that their water goes through strict testing that exceeds World Health Organisation standards. Chief Operations Officer Sanjay Keshwani explained, “At no point of time the survey was done at BWS plant as source. It was done at the household level and at their source means maybe they have the tank or maybe their tap or their receptacle or their water coolers.”

He added, “I would like to ensure or mention that we follow minimum WHO standard, but we aim for AWWA and ISO standards, which are more stricter than WHO standards.”

SIB clarified that the survey focused on household water. Director General Diana Castillo-Trejo said, “33.7% of the population was at some kind of risk of contamination to their drinking water based on samples collected at the point of consumption.”

The Ministry of Health emphasised that the results show why good hygiene and safe water practices are so important. They said efforts will focus on improving water handling at home, in schools, and at workplaces to keep people healthier and ensure safe drinking water.

Dr Laura Friesen added that while E. coli was detected, it does not signal an outbreak risk. “E. coli is simply an indicator of contamination… its just an indicator that that sample was contaminated at some point within that household and in the handling of that water. So, at this point in time there is no need for us to consider that it would cause an outbreak; of course, it does highlight the need for better hygiene.”