Environmental groups flag drainage canals as a major factor in the fish-kill

Investigations into the recent fish kill along sections of the Belize River have taken a new turn as environmental organizations say they have identified several potential sources of pollution that warrant closer scrutiny. As part of a joint investigation, members of the Maya Forest Corridor and partner organizations conducted field visits earlier this week, mapping waterways that feed into the Belize River. They say they located three canals between Cotton Tree and Bermudian Landing that discharge directly into the river, along with additional canals connected to a rice farm on Laboring Creek. According to the group, satellite imagery indicates that all three canals flowing directly into the Belize River originate within Santander’s sugar cane fields. 

Anthony Mai, Chief Environmental Officer, Department of Environment: “So the Department of Environment received a report of a fish kill affecting the Belize River Valley. On August 3rd, we immediately put together a team to deploy the team out in the fields to collect the data that we need. When the Department of Environment is informed of a fish kill, we look at three possible outcomes or causes I should say. One is we look at the possibility of it being disease-related. We also look at the possibility of it being toxicity, where certain toxic contaminants are placed within the water body. We also look to see if there is any possibility of a high level of organic matter that enters the water body because again, three of these approaches have certain outcomes. We liaised with several local experts in Belize to discuss the possibility of it being disease-related. We were informed and we agree that the possibility of it being a disease is quite low and so we kind of ruled that out. The reason for that is because the experts are saying that when a disease affects an aquatic ecosystem the diseases are species-specific meaning that they impact one species alone. The evidence that we have shows that several different species of fish were impacted. In fact, we were informed and we saw that even crocodiles and turtles to some degree were impacted. so that in a sense ruled out the possibility of it being a disease. We kind of put together two teams to go out into the field to observe what’s going on and to collect water quality data. We had a team deployed from Cotton Tree all the way up in Belmopan area before the Santander discharge channel. They conducted sampling from around the Banana Bank area. We also collected samples from an area between that point and Santander’s discharge channel and I’ll show you where that channel is. We took samples from 150 meters upstream from Santander Discharge Channel at the channel, the canal, and then 150 meters downstream. We also took samples at Saint Paul’s Bank, Isabella Bank, Flowers Bank, and Burrell Boom. We also took samples from Santander effluent treatment pond, from the drainage network within the farm, and from the canal itself. And so the water quality assessment was quite extensive. We conducted what is called insitu sampling, that means sample on site. The data that we collected were data of the water quality at that point in time. And we also collected what is called grab sample. So we collected sample in a bottle. We brought these samples to our lab to get tested. We observed that the area between Saint Paul’s Bank and Grace Bank was the area most impacted. That is where we found most of the dead fish. And also the data will show that that is the area where the water quality were it’s poorest, basically as it relates to dissolved oxygen in particular.”

During Monday’s inspection, investigators reported finding a dead tilapia and several fish skeletons in one of the canals, while nearby residents claimed the canal experienced unusually high water flows during the period when the fish kill occurred. The canal has drawn additional attention because, in 2012, Santander, then operating as Green Tropics, was fined for cutting the waterway through a protected area. While the Department of the Environment continues its investigation, environmental advocates are calling for greater transparency.

Anthony Mai, Chief Environmental Officer, Department of Environment: “Apart from Santander farm there are several different large farms within the area. In particular we found a rice field in the area that is of significant concern to us. The rice field basically drains its flooded water directly into the Labouring Creek and the Labouring Creek leads directly into the Belize River. Santander’s effluent discharge pond it is important to inform the public that Santander’s effluent discharge pond does not lead directly into the Belize River. In fact, it leads into the drainage network in the field and the water from within the drainage network is used for irrigation. In terms of water quality, again, in terms of insitu data, the data that we collected in the field, this image shows that 150 meters upstream from Santander Canal the dissolved oxygen level was 7.36. At Santander Canal it was 1.93, so you could see a significant reduction. 150 meters downstream from Santander’s discharged the dissolved oxygen level went back to 6.1. And then at Saint Paul’s Bank it went down again to 2.39. Isabella Bank in all the water quality data is where the water quality was its poorest in this case the dissolved oxygen was 1.28 milligrams per liter. At Flowers Bank went to 1.58, Double Head Cabbage 2 milligrams per liter, and at Burrell Boom the dissolved oxygen level was 6.19. So in all samples the degradation of water started at Saint Paul’s Bank to some degree, well in this case, Santander’s canal, but where the impact was most noted was from St. Paul’s Bank to Burrell Boom. Burrell Boom is where the water quality began to improve. In terms of observation also we requested support from the Pesticide Control Board. They went to Santander Farm and they found that Santander had within their store rooms eight different agrochemicals that they use. And I won’t try to pronounce all the names here because they are a bit very technical. But I want to highlight amatrine. So that is one of the chemical that they use in their field. And during the chemical analysis of water samples that we have done, we have found traces of amatrine, but we’re trying to determine at this point the level. So they also use 24D and et cetera. So these are eight different agrochemicals that are used at Santander Farm. It’s important that we obtain this information because this will help us determine any connectivity or trace between what they use and what we find in the field. In terms of preliminary data of the chemical analysis that we’re doing on the water samples at the Santander, in the Santander drainage network, we have found eight chemicals of concern. At the Santander Canal we have found 32 chemicals of concern. At the Santander Effluent Pound we found 15 chemicals of concern. And then 150 meters upstream we found 10 chemicals of concern. Again, noting that, again, these agrochemicals could come from areas from Santander and from outside Santander because the entire area is an agricultural development area. We’re still pending sediment samples. We have seven samples that we took. Again, if it is a chemical deposition within the river the residues of those chemical will be trapped in sediments and the analysis will show any chemicals of concern. So, and then we have the fish tissue chemical analysis that is still being run. Again, it’s just Murphy’s Llaw. We had all intention to have the results of these two samples, at least the fish tissue sample, ready by Friday but again, it’s just we have some issues with the equipment, but we are working those issues out.”

The organizations stress that no conclusions have yet been reached regarding the cause of the fish kill. However, they argue that the drainage canals represent a potential environmental risk and are urging the government to strengthen oversight of water management and waste disposal practices throughout the Belize River Valley.