What’s Killing the Belize River’s Fish? DOE Issues Warning

The Department of the Environment (DOE) is urging residents to avoid consuming fish and other aquatic resources from areas affected by the ongoing fish kill along the Belize River Valley, after reports of dead fish floating in the river surfaced earlier this week. 

In a press release, the DOE confirmed it conducted a joint assessment with the Belize Water Services Limited, the Ministry of Health and Wellness, NEMO, the Fisheries Department, the Coastal Zone Management Authority and Institute, and the Ministry of Infrastructure Development and Housing. 

“The joint exercise included 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 precaution, the department is advising 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 advisory also extends to livestock and pets, with officials recommending that untreated river water not be used until further notice. 

At the same time, the DOE added that the precaution does not apply to treated drinking water supplied by BWS. “BWSL has confirmed 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.”

The Department  also reminded the public that discharging untreated wastewater or non-compliant effluent into the environment is a criminal offence under the Environmental Protection Regulations of 2009.