BELMOPAN, Belize, Aug 7, CMC – The Department of the Environment (DOE) says it is investigating whether a contamination event had led to the ongoing fish kill issue reported in the Belize River Valley area.
The DOE said in collaboration with several stakeholders, including the Belize Water Services Limited (BWSL), the Ministry of Health and Wellness and the National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) a joint assessment of the affected areas is being undertaken.
It said that the exercise include water quality monitoring and sampling, as well as assessments of land-clearing activities, potential wastewater discharge sources, and other factors that may have contributed to impacts on the aquatic environment.
“As a precautionary measure, and considering that the investigation is ongoing, the Department advises the public not to consume fish or other aquatic resources from the affected areas and not to drink untreated river water or use untreated river water for cooking or food preparation. The use of untreated river water for livestock or pets is also not advised until further notice.”
The DOE said that this precautionary advisory applies specifically to untreated water taken directly from the river and does not apply to treated potable water supplied by BWSL which says that the water currently being supplied from its water treatment plant remains safe for consumption and meets the required potable water quality standards.
“There has been no disruption to the continuity of the water supply,” it said.
The DOE said that the authorities are continuing to “work diligently to identify the possible cause or causes of the fish kill” and that the public will be informed of the findings of the investigation as additional information is gathered, processed, and analysed.
The Department said that it is taking this opportunity to remind the public that the release of untreated wastewater or treated effluent that does not meet the requirements of the Environmental Protection (Effluent Limitations) Regulations, 2009, into the environment is strictly prohibited and constitutes an offence.
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