BELIZE: 500 residents of Indian Church/San Carlos, Orange Walk district will now have easier access to quality potable water
Inauguration of Indian Church/San Carlos Hybrid Solar Water System will be held at 10 a.m. on May 5 in Indian Church/San Carlos, Orange Walk District.
Approximately 500 residents of Indian Church/San Carlos villages will now have easier access to the continuous supply of reliable quality potable water to meet their daily water needs such as drinking, washing, bathing and cooking.
The hybrid solar water project was funded by the Government of Belize at a cost of $867,333.29 through a loan from the Caribbean Development Bank. It represents the unwavering commitment of the Government addressing the basic needs of Belizeans, in the areas of water, sanitation and health.
Furthermore, the water project will significantly contribute in the reduction of water-borne, food borne and vector borne diseases in addition to communicable and non-communicable diseases for residents of Indian Church/San Carlos, and by extension, the people of Belize. Thus the completion of the water project also demonstrates the unwavering commitment of the Government of Belize to fulfill the Sustainable Development Goals, as it relates to water; which is to reduce by half the proportion of people without sustainable access to safe drinking water.
Equally important, the new water system will also contribute significantly to the country’s booming tourism industry given the close proximity to one of the major tourist attraction and rich cultural heritage in Orange Walk District and in Belize; Lamani. Hence, it is within this context, rural communities for socio-economic opportunities and development are being transformed.
The tank was constructed at the highest point at the entrance of Indian Church village and in this regard, water will be gravity-fed to the residents of the twin villages. The joint water system sub-project entailed the construction of an elevated Ferro concrete 20,000 gallon water reservoir, , a 10ft x 10ft pump controls room, a 10ft x 10ft chlorinator room, and a 6.8 kW Hybrid Solar System to provide electricity to all buildings and electrical components of the well site.
Officials at the event will include the Minister of Economic Development, Petroleum, Investment, Trade and Commerce Hon Erwin Contreras, Minister of Labour, Local Government, and Rural Development, Hon Hugo Patt, Jr; Chairpersons of Indian Church San Carlos, Messrs. Mauricio Aguilar and Thomas Reyes respectively and Executive Director of Belize Social Investment Fund, among others.
