Belize River Water Quality Returns to Normal After Fish Kill

The Department of the Environment says water quality in the Belize River has returned to normal after the fish kill that began in early August. Dead fish were reported along the river on August 4, with the worst affected stretch running about seventeen and a half miles between Isabella Bank and Grace Bank. Early tests in those areas found very low oxygen levels in the water.  The department says its latest readings are back to the levels recorded before the fish kill. It tested fish organs as well and found no chemicals of concern. That is welcome news for communities along the river, but the latest release does not identify what caused the fish to die. It also does not say whether the earlier warning against eating fish from affected areas or using untreated river water has been lifted.  The department says it will keep monitoring the river and follow up on corrective measures in the watershed. It has installed a system that checks water conditions every fifteen minutes and sends the readings directly to its staff. Another is planned for the New River next month.