Working Areas
Business Planning
Customer Relations
Information & Technology (GIS, IMIS, Smart Systems…)
Operation & Maintenance
Other
Organizations Involved
Belize Water Services Limited — Lead Mentee
Contra Costa Water District — Lead Mentor
World Bank
—
Technical Advice
WOP-Latin America and the Caribbean
—
Supporting Org
The Global Water Operators’ Partnerships Alliance
—
Broker
Funder
SDGs
6.4Increased water-use efficiency and sustainable withdrawals and supply of freshwater
Project description
The WOP between Belize Water Services Ltd. (BWS) of Belize and Contra Costa Water District (CCWD) of the United States was established in order to promote a safety culture at BWS and improve worker safety, develop a water treatment operator certification program, expand the use of the SCADA System, broaden the water quality monitoring program and enhance the educational outreach program.
Key results include:
Human Resource development: 119 employees (more than half of total staff), from managers to foremen, have taken 215 water operators certification training courses from the Sacramento State University, with a 93% completion rate. Topics addressed are operations, maintenance and management of water and wastewater treatment, distribution and collection systems;
Safety and Security: a Safety Committee has been created following the model of CCWD and the recipient operator set aside a budget of US$ 350,000 to purchase Personal Protective Equipment. The number of accidents and incidents, and related cost, has been substantially reduced. The safety culture of the company changed radically with the adoption of systematic and standardized safety procedures;
Engineering: A SCADA (Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition) system has been developed, installed and implemented in all major water systems of Belize. It has resulted in more accurate, efficient and centralized control and monitoring of water production and distribution. It also contributes to reduce travel time, enhance productivity and decrease response time in case of problems
Finance: a new rate-setting methodology based on inflationary adjustment to tariffs was introduced, turning into more acceptable and accountable tariffs increases for customers and regulator. Electronic payment options for customers have been developed and used, which enable a better monitoring and accountability of revenue streams
Key results include:
Human Resource development: 119 employees (more than half of total staff), from managers to foremen, have taken 215 water operators certification training courses from the Sacramento State University, with a 93% completion rate. Topics addressed are operations, maintenance and management of water and wastewater treatment, distribution and collection systems;
Safety and Security: a Safety Committee has been created following the model of CCWD and the recipient operator set aside a budget of US$ 350,000 to purchase Personal Protective Equipment. The number of accidents and incidents, and related cost, has been substantially reduced. The safety culture of the company changed radically with the adoption of systematic and standardized safety procedures;
Engineering: A SCADA (Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition) system has been developed, installed and implemented in all major water systems of Belize. It has resulted in more accurate, efficient and centralized control and monitoring of water production and distribution. It also contributes to reduce travel time, enhance productivity and decrease response time in case of problems
Finance: a new rate-setting methodology based on inflationary adjustment to tariffs was introduced, turning into more acceptable and accountable tariffs increases for customers and regulator. Electronic payment options for customers have been developed and used, which enable a better monitoring and accountability of revenue streams
Project main objectives
• Develop Safety Culture at BWS & Improve Worker Safety
• Develop Water Treatment Operator Certification Program
• Expand the Use of SCADA System
• Expand Water Quality Monitoring Program
• Enhance Educational Outreach Program
• Develop Water Treatment Operator Certification Program
• Expand the Use of SCADA System
• Expand Water Quality Monitoring Program
• Enhance Educational Outreach Program
Most significant results
1) Safety:
• Reinforcement of Safety Culture
• Environmental Improvements
• Purchased personal protective equipment recommended by CCWD
2) Capacity Building:
• Water Operator Certification & Training based on AWWA & CCWD’s training curriculum and Career Plan
3) Water Quality Monitoring:
• Obtain Laboratory Accreditation
• New Quality Control Procedures
• Improved Sanitary Sample Collection
• Updated quality assurance/quality control procedures.
• Job‐shadowing with BWS lab technicians to 2 BWS facilities(Fresh water and RO sites)
4) Education & Community Outreach:
• Develop water‐related education program, based on CCWD program, for primary schools to be included in classroom curriculum and water‐related events.
• Appearance on a national TV Morning Show, Participation in World Water Day 2015 and a Career Day to discuss the partnership, water issues and highlighting careers in the water industry in Belize
5) Engineering & Technical Services:
• Expanded use of SCADA system, installing flat panel monitors for operators and call‐center.
• Utilizing microwave radio technology for data transmission.
6) Human Resources:
• Confidence‐building and increasing staff morale
• Close bond was formed among individual participants
• Reinforcement of Safety Culture
• Environmental Improvements
• Purchased personal protective equipment recommended by CCWD
2) Capacity Building:
• Water Operator Certification & Training based on AWWA & CCWD’s training curriculum and Career Plan
3) Water Quality Monitoring:
• Obtain Laboratory Accreditation
• New Quality Control Procedures
• Improved Sanitary Sample Collection
• Updated quality assurance/quality control procedures.
• Job‐shadowing with BWS lab technicians to 2 BWS facilities(Fresh water and RO sites)
4) Education & Community Outreach:
• Develop water‐related education program, based on CCWD program, for primary schools to be included in classroom curriculum and water‐related events.
• Appearance on a national TV Morning Show, Participation in World Water Day 2015 and a Career Day to discuss the partnership, water issues and highlighting careers in the water industry in Belize
5) Engineering & Technical Services:
• Expanded use of SCADA system, installing flat panel monitors for operators and call‐center.
• Utilizing microwave radio technology for data transmission.
6) Human Resources:
• Confidence‐building and increasing staff morale
• Close bond was formed among individual participants
Challenges
Lack of financing for WOPs