Metered Water System Revitalizes Guinea Grass

Guinea Grass has just celebrated the launch of a new water system, featuring over seven hundred and fifty water meters. This infrastructure project, a collaboration between the governments of Belize and Taiwan, promises to greatly enhance the quality of life for residents in rural Belize. Here’s News Five’s Isani Cayetano with the full story.

 

Isani Cayetano, Reporting

Guinea Grass Village, home to over three thousand residents and one of the oldest communities in the Orange Walk District, celebrated a significant milestone on Monday. A brand-new water system with over seven hundred meters was inaugurated, ensuring that every home in the village would now have access to clean, potable water. This development marks a major step forward for the community, bringing much-needed relief and an improved quality of life to its residents.

 

Jose Abelardo Mai, Area Representative, OW South

“Seven hundred and fifty new meters have been installed.  This is good news, not that the meters were installed, but that the concept of meters were accepted is very important.”

 

Before the new water system was installed, there were some issues between the residents and the water board regarding water consumption. Benito Uck, the chairman of Guinea Grass Village, played a key role in addressing these concerns and ensuring the community’s needs were met.

 

Benito Uck, Chairman, Guinea Grass Village

“At the beginning when we heard that the implementation of the renovation of the water system and the metering of the water system in our village, SIF came and we had a meeting with the water board and the village council and we welcomed the project for the community of Guinea Grass.  We were facing challenges in the community that such areas didn’t get any water for months, for years, and we were happy that, you know, this project was coming to our community.”

 

Representatives from the Social Investment Fund recently met with residents to discuss the upcoming changes. Initially, the community was a bit reluctant and disinterested, but over time, they came to understand the importance of metering water consumption. This shift in perspective is a positive step towards better water management in the village.

 

Carlos Tun, Executive Director, SIF

“As we inaugurate the Guinea Grass water system, we are not merely turning on taps, we are turning the page on a chapter of scarcity and struggle and beginning one of progress dignity and opportunity.  Access to clean and safe water is not a privilege, it is a fundamental human right.  It is the cornerstone of health, wellbeing and development.  For too long, the residents of Guinea Grass faced critical water shortages and a limited supply that constrained daily life and hindered the community’s potential.  This was a challenge that I am proud to say has been met with determination partnership and hope.”

 

According to Orange Walk South Area Representative Jose Abelardo Mai, this infrastructure project has been a major undertaking, with thousands of feet of distribution lines now installed throughout the village. This extensive network ensures that every home will benefit from the new water system.

 

Jose Abelardo Mai

“This project involves quite a significant investment, one point three million dollars funded by the Government of the Republic of China (Taiwan).  It includes six thousand linear feet of four-inch main distribution lines, six thousand linear feet of three-inch main distribution lines with a total of about twenty-six thousand, five hundred linear feet of distribution lines in total has been installed.  All these new pipes have been installed.  The pumping capacity is now ninety gallons per minute from a seven and a half, three-phase pump.”

 

Taiwanese Ambassador Lily Li-Wen Hsu was present for the inauguration of the new water system. She praised the Ministry of Rural Development and the Social Investment Fund for their hard work and dedication in bringing this important project to fruition.

 

Lily Li-Wen Hsu, Taiwanese Ambassador

“This project coming to fruition just in time for the celebration of the festive season is really a timely and wonderful gift for the Christmas season.  I’m really very happy. As a development partner of Belize, Taiwan is fully aware that infrastructure development plays a crucial role in the nation’s growth and wellbeing of its people.  Taiwan is therefore honored and pleased to provide financial support and partner with the Government of Belize to make this impactful project a reality.  I want to take this opportunity to express my appreciation to the Ministry of Rural Transformation… as well as the Belize Social Investment Fund for their great effort and dedication in successfully implementing this project.”

 

Isani Cayetano for News Five.