Water

Water is a very precious commodity here.  There is no fresh water so the only ways to get it are reverse osmoses or collect rain water.  Reverse osmoses is very expensive in that you must remove the salt from about a hundred gallons of salt water to get a single gallon of fresh water.  So, you collect rain water.

The water from the roof runs through the downspout to the large collection barrels.  In our condo complex the collection devices are underground cisterns.  Each building has its own cistern which is built into the foundation and goes about five feet into the ground.  Not only do these cisterns collect the rain water but they also serve to anchor the buildings during hurricanes.

The water that is collected is treated with chorine pills and then is what comes out of all of the faucets.  At first we were drinking this water but my left eye started to twitch uncontrollably, my left shoulder began to droop, my hand curled and my left foot turned inward. 

Now we have bottled water.

You can have five gallons of water delivered for about $5.00 Belize.  Of course we had to purchase the dispenser for $15.00.  However, the water is very good and all of my symptoms have cleared up.