DoE to Take Closer Look at Changes in the New River

As we reported three weeks ago, the New River in Orange Walk seems to be entering another phase of uncertainty as reports of small amounts of dead fish have been seen in certain parts of the waterway. In recent weeks, tour guides who use the river to conduct tours called our attention to the changes, which include a murky appearance and small fishes that appear to be struggling for oxygen in the water. Tour guides raised concern over the rank smell the river had developed in certain parts, as well as its appearance.  They also observed fishes, though small, that were dying or already dead. News five reached out to the American Sugar Refinery/Belize Sugar Industries Limited which came under heavy criticisms in the past for releasing warm water into the river. But in 2021, the company invested in an expensive water cooling system which took care of any allegation that it was releasing water that was too hot for the river’s ecological health. When we checked with A.S.R/B.S.I three weeks ago, they informed us that all their environmental compliance key performance indicators were well within regulatory requirements and that the compliance measurements are recorded daily and communicated to the Department of the Environment. Additionally, the company dispatched drones to capture images of the New River and reported that they had not observed any changes in the part of the river near where they are located. Earlier today News Five reached out to Chief Environmental Officer, Anthony Mai.  He informed us that the Department of the Environment has spent time and resources to obtain information about the New River, and that they have a good idea of the river’s characteristics. Mai, who is out of the country informed that it will take a few years before the benefits of the installation of the cooling system by A.S.R/B.S.I begin to manifest. He says the department has conducted inspections of most of the light industries, including restaurants and tortilla factories, in Orange Walk Town.  The Department of the Environment will return to check on what environmental improvements have been made to those establishments. Mai shared the department’s plan to re-vegetate the riverbanks, to install an artificial wetland as a pilot project along one of the drains leading to the river, and continue to work with A.S.R/B.S.I on improving their wastewater treatment system.