In a significant development for Belize, the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) has approved a 13.5% increase in the Mean Water Rate (MWR) for Belize Water Services Limited (BWSL), effective next year. This adjustment, though lower than the 20% hike initially proposed by BWSL, will lead to an approximate 5.5% rise in customers’ monthly water bills. The PUC emphasized that the new pricing structure aims to ensure fairness, particularly for low-consumption households. Notably, the current flat rate of $8.72 for usage up to 1,000 gallons will be replaced with a per-gallon charge, marking a shift toward more equitable billing practices. Additionally, the PUC has greenlit a $130 million capital investment program designed to upgrade infrastructure, enhance water production, improve energy efficiency, and bolster security measures. A further $20 million has been allocated to expand water production and storage facilities in Placencia, Caye Caulker, and San Pedro, addressing the demands of growing populations. BWSL has also been authorized to increase contributions for water main extensions, with caps set at $6,000 on the mainland and $10,000 on the islands. While household water bills will see an uptick, the PUC has opted not to raise other administrative fees. Commercial water use, however, remains under the jurisdiction of the National Integration Water Resources Authority (NIWRA) and was not addressed in this decision. These changes follow a comprehensive review of BWSL’s 2026 Full Tariff Review Proceedings, which included public consultations and rigorous assessments of technical and financial data.