Water pressure running high in city
There was a time not too long ago when the pressure in Belize City’s water system was so low it could barely be measured. But today, second and even third floor residents are enjoying showers without the benefit of a vat or a pump. Since we did not hesitate to criticise Belize Water Services when the pipes were dry, it’s only fair to give some praise now that the situation has turned around. Ann-Marie reports.
Ann-Marie Williams, Reporting
“Turn on your water pipe just about any given day or night and the pressure is sure to knock you off your feet. That’s because the Belize Water Services Ltd. says they have doubled their capacity at their Double Run plant.”
Paul Lecky, Customer Service Mgr., B.W.S.L.
“We’re now able to pump enough water for the population for the next twenty years. We have also increased the water pressure, of course on a gradual basis, knowing very well that we have some pipes that are very old and are likely to open up under pressure.”
And an increased water pressure has certainly taken the pressure off consumers to store water for days.
Joyce Myers, Resident, Neal’s Pen Rd.
“Sometimes you have to full up the buckets them and put it in the tub to bathe.”
Ann-Marie Williams
“But now?”
Joyce Myers
“But now, it’s alright, you could have your nice shower now.”
Elsie Gallego, Resident, Neal’s Pen Rd.
“Well wah two nights it would come off, but no all the time. You go anytime you want a shower and you find it good.”
Ann-Marie Williams
“Hope it stays that way?”
Elsie Gallego
“I would hope so fi true. Ih knock off your hand sometimes when go, with the pressure so high.”
Customer Services Manager Paul Lecky says the high pressure is attributed to the double pumping capacity, along with larger pipes laid in the city. However, Lecky warns of two things which will adversely affect water pressure.
Paul Lecky
“Where we have leaks, we need consumers to report those leaks quickly. We also need consumers to be vigilant and report illegal connections. If we have leaks and illegal connections, it’s going to affect the pressure. But it’s a long-term thing, we’re at this stage now where we can sustain the pressure and yes we’ll have increased pressure. In Belize City, right up to Hattieville, we should be experiencing pretty much the same pressure.”
A change thirty-five thousand customers in Belize City are happy to experience, especially the twenty odd thousand who live on the southside, where water pressure has always been lower than the northside.
Barbara Arnold, Resident, Casuarina St.
“Right now it’s very good, excellent. One time we nevah does get water up here at all. I does have to wait until weekend to wash, once a week when I get the water up in the machine. But now it’s excellent.
Ann-Marie Williams
“And where taking a shower is concerned?”
Barbara Arnold
“Excellent. I could bathe as long as I want bathe. Sometimes I not even want come out a the shower.”
Virginia Ellis, Resident, Neal’s Pen Rd.
“Well before, the pressure was really low and when you wanted to take a bath, you had to full the bucket from downstairs. And now that it’s back, you can just go in your shower and on the pipe and straight over your head. You don’t have to dip any water.”
Ann-Marie Williams
“Where you able to take showers before, when the pressure was low?”
Virginia Ellis
“No ma’am.”
Ann-Marie Williams
“So it’s refreshing now.”
Virginia Ellis
“Yes ma’am cause I just had one.”
Ann-Marie Williams for News 5.
Lecky is appealing to Belizeans to report any sediments found in their water along with any illegal connections at telephone number 02-24757.
