Environmental Health Service Learning and Water Quality in Gales Point, Belize International Health and Human Service Learning Program Belize 2009 College of Health and Human Services

Belize

Gales Point Rural Water system Plan

Goals – To provide safe drinking water to the people of Gales Point, Belize – To ensure the protection of Public Health – SMART Objective: To ensure the protection of Public Health by providing safe drinking water to the people of Gales Point, Belize by 2011.

Process Objectives (Components of GP Drinking Water System Plan) Source Water Protection Water Treatment Sustainability & empowerment Transparency between the GP Water board, people and the Government. Increasing community awareness and involvement

Source Water Protection Identification of contaminants – Possible bacterial contamination – Possible chemical contamination Defining the watershed that needs to be protected Delineation of policies for protection (WHO or US standards?) & Adoption of National Policies for rural water system Enforcement of policies to increase compliance

Water Treatment Treatment of Drinking water – Physical filtration through filters/screen at the source – ‘Adequate chlorination’ of Water

Water Treatment Testing to ensure Protection – Regular testing of water at the treatment facility/ reservoir and the tap water for residual chlorine levels – Regular testing of source water and tap water for E-coli & Coliform bacteria – Collaboration of the Government of Belize, Water Quality Department with WKU

Water Treatment Wastewater treatment – Sanitary survey of water treatment – Ensuring that wastewater is not released directly into the lagoon without treatment – Installing more septic tank systems – Evaluation: assessment of lagoon water quality

Sustainability & Empowerment (Technical, Financial & Managerial Capacity Development) – Management of water treatment: Water Board Training for maintenance Operator of facility Regular Inspections by a government figure – Introduction of proper billing system

– Installation of water meters – Supply of electricity to the new water system, sustainability – Obtaining primary funding from the Government (other sources?) – Develop a System for rural water system management and technical assistance (will US rural water association model work in Belize?) Sustainability & Empowerment (Technical, Financial & Managerial Capacity Development)

Transparency between Gales Point Water board, Government and People – Water board be affiliated to the Village Council – Maintenance of monthly log of expenses and income – Hiring an accountant or clerk for the above purpose – Monthly general meetings with the involvement of community

Transparency between Gales Point Water board, Government and People – Reporting about the finances and the affairs of the water board in the general meetings – Regular reporting about the finances and the affairs to the respective government figures

Transparency between Gales Point Water board, Government and People – Reporting of water quality testing results on a quarterly basis, at a minimum – Annual drinking water quality report (Consumer Confidence Report) to the villagers, including results of analyses & contaminants if any.

Increasing Community Awareness and Involvement – Health education regarding the impacts of contaminated water – Introduction of environmental health and science curriculum in schools – Gate keeper approach – Cleaner environment will lead to increased tourism and more jobs bringing economic growth – Home water treatment techniques for emergency

References: Kentucky Rural Water Association. [Online]