Department of Environment investigating fish kill in Belize River Valley, public urged to avoid untreated river water
By Zoila Palma: The Department of the Environment (DOE) is investigating a fish kill reported in the Belize River Valley and has issued a public advisory warning residents not to consume fish or other aquatic resources from affected areas while the investigation continues. The Ministry of Sustainable Development, Climate Change and Solid Waste Management said […] The post Department of Environment investigating fish kill in Belize River Valley, public urged to avoid untreated river water appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
Black News 
By Zoila Palma: The Department of the Environment (DOE) is investigating a fish kill reported in the Belize River Valley and has issued a public advisory warning residents not to consume fish or other aquatic resources from affected areas while the investigation continues.
The Ministry of Sustainable Development, Climate Change and Solid Waste Management said the DOE received reports on August 4 of numerous dead fish floating along sections of the Belize River, prompting a multi-agency response.
According to the department, a joint assessment was launched involving Belize Water Services Limited (BWS), the Ministry of Health and Wellness, the National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO), the Fisheries Department, the Ministry of Infrastructure Development and Housing (MIDH), and other relevant agencies.
The release stated that “the Department is actively responding to the ongoing fish kill issue reported in the Belize River Valley area.”
DOE said the 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 investigations continue, the DOE is advising residents to take precautionary measures.
The department warned 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.” It also advised against using untreated river water for livestock or pets until further notice.
The department emphasized that the advisory applies only to untreated water taken directly from the river and does not affect the public water supply.
The release noted that “BWS 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.”
DOE noted that technical assessments are ongoing to determine the cause of the fish kill and pledged to keep the public informed as new information becomes available.
The DOE also reminded the public that the release of untreated wastewater, or treated effluent that fails to meet environmental standards, is prohibited under Belize’s Environmental Protection Regulations and constitutes an offence.
The post Department of Environment investigating fish kill in Belize River Valley, public urged to avoid untreated river water appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
