PUC Approves Water Rate Hike Amid Opposition Criticism

Get ready to pay a little more for water in the new year. The Public Utilities Commission has approved a thirteen-point-five percent hike in mean water rates, and the Opposition isn’t happy about it. They’re accusing the government of passing the company’s wastage and expansion costs straight to consumers. Area Representative Lee Mark didn’t hold back during Thursday’s house meeting, calling out the decision on the adjournment. But Public Utilities Minister Michel Chebat says Belizeans shouldn’t panic, the actual increase on your monthly bill will be closer to five-and-a-half percent. He insists the benefits will outweigh the bump in cost.

 

Lee Mark Chang, Area Representative, Mesopotamia

“BWS has not increased water rates since April 2015. That’s ten years ago but yet in those ten years they still managed to remain profitable. So why all of a sudden the thirteen point five percent rate? And yes I heard the Prime Minister and the other side said that inflation, cost of living, salaries and all of that and I do understand those things. But this is forcing Belizean families to finance what government should be financing.The management team increased from nine to sixteen. Staff increased from two hundred and eighty-five, a cost of thirteen million dollars in twenty twenty-one, to three hundred and forty-six at a cost of seventeen point two million dollars in twenty twenty-five, a four point two million dollar increase per year.”

 

Michel Chebat, Minister of Public Utilities

“As you look across this country, when you look at San Pedro, when you look at Hopkins, when you look at Placencia, which are the major hubs for tourism in this country, some of the biggest income earners, how are we going to be able to improve the water and waste water systems there if the water rates are not increased to provide this added economic benefit to the country. Similarly, Madam Speaker, over a hundred and thirty million dollars will go into expanding water services throughout the country. Madam Speaker, in the last administration we gave away ten thousand house lots. People want water. People want electricity and this is what this government is working for, to provide these things to the Belizean public. So Madam Speaker this increase by BWS is really just a five point five percent increase on the water bill and I don’t think it is so extravagant that the Belizean people do not understand the benefits that they will be deriving from this, Madam Speaker.”

 

So, what do you think? Is this a necessary move to improve services, or just another hit to your wallet?