Belize Water Services (BWS) has addressed public concerns regarding the safety of drinking water following a report from the Statistical Institute of Belize that raised alarms about E. coli contamination. BWS has firmly denied the claims, emphasizing that the findings in the MICS Seven Report lack proper context and do not reflect the actual quality of tap water. The company asserts that the testing methods used in the study did not adhere to internationally recognized standards for water-quality assessment. BWS clarified that the report’s conclusions were not based on samples from its treatment or distribution systems, which are subject to rigorous daily testing and monthly independent checks by regulators. Furthermore, BWS highlighted its participation in international benchmarking to ensure compliance with global standards. The Ministry of Health and Wellness also weighed in, stating that approximately 4,000 water samples are analyzed annually, confirming the safety of the national drinking water supply. Routine microbial monitoring is conducted across various systems, including BWS operations, rudimentary systems, and bottled/purified water facilities, reinforcing the government’s commitment to public health.