Public Utilities Commission approves increase in water rates

Rudolph Williams

The Public Utilities Commission has approved a rate increase requested by Belize Water Services Ltd.  While it is not the sixteen and a quarter percent initially sought by the company, water rates across the country, with the exception of Caye Caulker, will be going up by approximately fifty-five cents.  On December thirty-first, 2013, BWSL made an application to the PUC for an annual review proceeding in which it proposed adjustments to the business plan, regulated parameters and rates, as well as tariffs, fees and charges.

Rudolph Williams, Director, Water & Waste Water Sector, P.U.C.

“Belize Water Services made a submission to the Public Utilities Commission for an annual review proceeding for the approval of a sixteen point two five percent increase in tariffs to be applied during the annual tariff period April first, 2014 to March thirty-first, 2015.  After reviewing the proposal and considering BWSL’s past performance and its ability to fund its investments, the proposed twenty-five point six, seven five million in capital investments for 2014-15 was reduced to fourteen point three two six million.  On January thirty-first, 2014, the commission issued its initial decision for an average increase of six point four percent on the average tariff to be applied for the 2014/2015 annual tariff period.  February seventeenth, 2014, BWSL objected to the commission’s decision on the grounds that the regulated asset values are incorrectly calculated due to a misunderstanding of the accounting treatment of developers contributions and equity contributions.  BWS’s objection triggered Section twenty-one of Statutory Annual Tariff period.”

Those changes are effective as of April first.