5 days ago
7
As a follow-up to our report yesterday on the fish kill affecting sections of the Belize River Valley, the Department of the Environment has launched a multi-agency investigation into what it describes as a possible contamination event. The Department says it received reports yesterday that numerous dead fish were floating along sections of the Belize River. In response, personnel from the DOE, Belize Water Services Limited, the Ministry of Health and Wellness, NEMO, the Fisheries Department and the Ministry of Infrastructure Development and Housing conducted a joint assessment of the affected areas. The exercise included water-quality monitoring and sampling. Investigators are also examining nearby land-clearing activities, possible wastewater discharge sources and other factors that may have affected the river’s aquatic environment. The cause of the fish kill has not yet been identified, and the technical assessments remain ongoing. As a precaution, residents are advised not to eat fish or other aquatic resources taken from the affected areas. The public should also avoid drinking untreated river water or using it for cooking and food preparation. Untreated river water should not be given to livestock or pets until further notice. Authorities have stressed that the warning applies only to water taken directly from the river. It does not apply to treated water supplied by Belize Water Services Limited. BWS has confirmed that water from its treatment plant remains safe for consumption, meets the required potable-water standards and continues to be supplied without disruption. The DOE has also reminded the public that releasing untreated wastewater or treated effluent that does not meet the standards established under the Environmental Protection Regulations, is prohibited and constitutes an offence. The Department says the public will be updated once the water samples and other information gathered during the investigation have been processed and analysed.
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