BSIF Water Project Reaches Halfway Mark

The Belize Social Investment Fund (BSIF) is at the halfway mark of a 4-year water and sanitation project that would see improved drinking water for residents in remote areas.  It is a program that followed a national tour of remote areas where several challenges were highlighted in the existing water systems, ranging from pump houses to wells.  According to Rico Nurse, the Project Coordinator, the undertaking aims to eliminate water-borne diseases through the installation of disinfection equipment.  

Rico Nurse, Project Coordinator: “We did want to mention that to do this there are various components. Components starting with  rehabilitation of key water system infrastructure,  being pump houses, wells, water tanks and then ultimately installation of disinfection equipment.  Now this is important so that the spread of  waterborne diseases is prevented and really  improve the quality of the water for these communities. Other components focus on  increasing the sustainability of the village water boards. Now, this will be done through various initiatives and trainings aimed at financial management as well as the operations and maintenance of these water systems all, as we mentioned, all with the aim of increasing their sustainability so that these village water boards can better serve the communities in which they operate.”

BSIF has executed several water and sanitation projects in recent years including the systems for Guinea Grass, San Estevan, Libertad, Concepcion, and Santa Anna; as well as the installation of a reverse osmosis plant for Sarteneja village.