All this week, we've been telling you about the state of New River in the Orange Walk District, which passes near Orange Walk Town. Residents are concerned that its pollution levels are high, and the Department of Environment has confirmed that indeed it is. They are now instituting a plan of action to hopefully reduce the levels of that water pollution.
In a press release sent today, the DOE notes that they for some time now, they've established the Water Quality Monitoring Program on the New River. On July 19th, they collected data at 5 sites near the river, 4 between the Toll Bridge and the San Estevan Bridge, and one more near San Estevan Village. Those samples revealed several areas of concern that have negatively impacted this aquatic ecosystem. The DOE believes that what is happening at the New River is most likely called "eutrophication." That basically means that the river is experiencing nutrient pollution due to run-off from the land around it. The DOE says that at these 5 locations they tested, the nutrient levels are high, and there is an abnormal amount of sulfate in the river. Additionally, oxygen levels are low, and the experts are trying to determine if part of the cause is an algae bloom.
In the hopes of reducing the sources of pollution in and around Orange Walk Town, the DOE will meet with key industrial and commercial facilities near the riverbanks to discuss measures to protect the river.
The Belize Sugar Industry is one of those facilities. The DOE then stresses that they've worked with BSI over the recent years to improve their facility. The company has instituted many improvements, including the installment of a wastewater treatment system. There is a meeting scheduled with them to discuss additional corrective actions that must be put into place, to further protect the river, and to deal with the eutrophication that is currently occurring, quote, "At the point where their effluent is discharged." End quote.
The DOE then goes on to say that L&R Liquors, which is next to the sugar factory, has not discharged any effluent into the New River since mid-2017. At that time, the DOE approved a plan that discontinued the discharge of their wastewater into the river.
The DOE will also collaborate with the Orange Walk Town Council and the Public Health Department to identify all other commercial activities along the New River, and they will conduct investigations on their wastewater discharge.
The DOE also has a long-term plan to restore the health of the New River. Their objective is to create a more comprehensive watershed management program.
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