The remote community of Yemeri Grove in Belize’s Toledo District has achieved a significant milestone in public infrastructure with the formal commissioning of a completely new water supply system. This transformative project, executed through a collaborative initiative between Belize’s Ministry of Rural Transformation and UNICEF, marks the end of the village’s long-standing dependency on shared water resources from neighboring Laguna.
The newly implemented system represents a comprehensive upgrade featuring a dedicated production well, a modern elevated reservoir, and a high-capacity submersible pump. This engineered solution is designed to provide consistent, clean water access to over one hundred households, ensuring twenty-four-hour availability that was previously unreliable.
During the inauguration ceremony, Oscar Requena, Minister of Rural Transformation and Community Development, highlighted the strategic importance of this development. “This achievement in Yemeri Grove represents the third such water tower system our ministry has constructed, following successful implementations in Tower Hill Orange Walk and Medina Bank. This infrastructure is crucial for serving our students, young children, and all Belizeans with reliable water access,” Minister Requena stated.
The project addresses both immediate public health concerns and long-term community development goals. Herald Usher, Chairman of Yemeri Grove Village Council, expressed collective appreciation: “On behalf of our village council and water board, we profoundly appreciate this water system that significantly enhances our quality of life and community resilience.”
This water independence initiative demonstrates Belize’s ongoing commitment to improving rural infrastructure and represents a model for sustainable community development through governmental and international partnership.