Health Ministry Says Drinking Water Remains Safe

The Ministry of Health and Wellness (MoHW) has moved to calm public concern following preliminary findings from the Statistical Institute of Belize’s (SIB) Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey 7 (MICS7), which detected high levels of E. coli in household drinking-water samples across the country.

The early survey results, released Friday, suggest widespread fecal contamination in both rural and urban homes. SIB Statistician Wendy Benavides explained that E. coli was detected not only in tap water but also in purified water samples taken from dispensers and household containers. She advised Belizeans to regularly clean their water containers, noting that contamination could stem from either the water source or improper storage.

Despite the findings, the Ministry said that its own nationwide monitoring data, collected continuously from multiple sites, shows that Belize’s potable water remains safe. The MoHW says it conducts routine testing for microbial contaminants, including E. coli, across Belize Water Services (BWS) systems, rudimentary water systems, purified water facilities and handpumps, analyzing roughly 4,000 samples annually. It added that all testing follows World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines.

“When isolated issues arise, immediate corrective measures are implemented,” the Ministry said.

Belize Water Services also issued a statement distancing itself from the survey results, explaining that MICS7 sampling and testing procedures were not aligned with international water-quality standards and therefore cannot be used to assess utility-operated systems. BWS said its own daily monitoring confirms that its supply is “safe, reliable and fully potable.”