Is your tap water safe?
Today, health authorities and BWS scrambled to set the record straight after a LOVE FM news article which stated that Belize's drinking water was contaminated with E. coli bacteria. They got that information from the Statistical Institute of Belize, which was referring to an early finding of the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey or MICS. Using UNICEF standards, that report found "widespread detection of E. Coli...affecting both rural and urban households."
Well, today BWS and the Ministry of Health rejected that finding. BWS says, quote, "it is clear that the sampling and testing procedures used in the study did not follow internationally recognized water-quality testing standards. The approach used for sample collection, handling and testing was not designed to support conclusions about national water quality or about specific utilities such as BWS. Crucially, none of the findings cited in the report originated from BWS's treatment or distribution systems." BWS adds that its "Water quality is tested daily across all service areas using internationally recognized methods."
The Ministry of Health and Wellness also checks BWS water monthly and issued its own release saying, "comprehensive data collected by the Ministry from multiple sites over time consistently demonstrate that potable water remains safe for consumption." The release also notes that the Ministry performs routine testing for contaminants, including E. Coli. "Annually, approximately 4,000 water samples from across the country are processed."
A joint press conference will also be held tomorrow, basically to reinforce the above.
And since the report referred to drinking water, we also asked the largest producer of bottled water, Bowen & Bowen for comment. They said they, quote "found the vagueness in the interview disappointing...Crystal Water goes through strict purification, sterilisation, and testing that meet international standards."
