Belize's Sewer System: An Infrastructure Overview

Belize's sewerage system is a pressing issue, with the country's wastewater treatment threatening the Mesoamerican Reef, a prime tourism destination. While Belize Water Services operates and maintains sewerage systems in three municipalities, these systems are not comprehensive, and improper sewage disposal is a significant concern. The country has strengthened its policy framework to address water and sanitation issues, but challenges remain in ensuring effective wastewater management and protecting the fragile marine ecosystem.

Belize Water Services operates sewerage systems in three municipalities

Belize Water Services (BWS) is the national water and sewerage utility company in Belize. It was established in March 2001 when it was vested with the assets and liabilities of the Water and Sewerage Authority (WASA). BWS operates and maintains sewerage systems in three municipalities: Belmopan, Belize City, and San Pedro Town. However, none of these municipalities have 100% coverage. The sewerage systems in these municipalities came into operation in 1970, 1980, and 1996, respectively.

The existing sewerage system in each municipality consists of conventional gravity sewers in zones (Belmopan – 2, Belize – 15, and San Pedro – 6), complete with concrete manholes and submersible fiberglass-reinforced plastic pumping stations. Sewage is collected by gravity at each pumping station and pumped to a neighbouring zone towards the treatment works. Pump operations in each station are automatic and controlled by float switches. In Belmopan, the sewage stations are wet-dry well type and made of concrete.

The sewage treatment and disposal of effluent vary for each municipality. In Belize City, treatment is provided by a two-cell facultative lagoon system, and the treated effluent is discharged into the Caribbean Sea via canals cut through a mangrove wetland. The lagoon cells operate in series and serve approximately 37,500 consumers, treating about 1,500,000 gallons of sewage per day.

In San Pedro Town, two facultative lagoons operating in series, followed by a maturation pond with impermeable layers, are used to treat the sewage. The treated effluent is discharged to the surrounding mangrove wetland via a dispersion pipe for polishing before final disposal into the Caribbean Sea. The sewerage system in San Pedro Town serves approximately 3,400 consumers and treats about 160,000 gallons of sewage per day.

In Belmopan, a primary treatment plant made up of a settling tank and four sludge drying beds, along with a 1½-mile disposal pipe, is used for sewage treatment. The treated effluent empties into the Belize River, and the sludge is deposited onto drying beds for agricultural use. The sewerage system in Belmopan serves approximately 7,900 consumers, with an estimated flow of 200,000 gallons per day to the sewage treatment plant.

The sewerage system in each municipality consists of conventional gravity sewers

Belize Water Services (BWS) operates and maintains sewerage systems in three municipalities: Belmopan, Belize City, and San Pedro Town. The existing sewerage system in each municipality consists of conventional gravity sewers in zones (Belmopan – 2, Belize – 15, and San Pedro – 6), along with concrete manholes and submersible fiberglass-reinforced plastic pumping stations.

Conventional gravity sewers are large networks of underground pipes that convey blackwater, greywater, and stormwater from individual households to a (semi-)centralized treatment facility, using gravity and pumps when necessary. The conventional gravity sewer system is designed with many branches, typically subdivided into primary, secondary, and tertiary networks. The primary network consists of main sewer lines along main roads, while the secondary and tertiary networks are found at the neighborhood and household levels.

The sewer system in Belize must be designed to maintain a self-cleansing velocity to prevent the accumulation of particles. To achieve this, a minimum velocity of 0.6 to 0.7 m/s during peak dry weather conditions is required. Maintaining a constant downhill gradient along the length of the sewer is essential to ensure self-cleansing flows, which often necessitates deep excavations. In cases where a downhill grade cannot be maintained, a pumping station must be installed.

Primary sewers are typically laid beneath roads at depths of 1.5 to 3 meters to prevent damage from traffic loads. The pipe diameter is selected based on projected average and peak flows, and common materials used include concrete, PVC, and ductile or cast iron. Access manholes are placed at regular intervals, pipe intersections, and changes in pipeline direction. These manholes are designed to prevent stormwater inflow and groundwater infiltration.

In cases where connected users discharge highly polluted wastewater, such as from industrial or restaurant operations, onsite pre-treatment and primary treatment may be required before discharge into the sewer system. This helps reduce the risk of clogging and minimizes the load on the wastewater treatment plant.

While conventional gravity sewers offer advantages in terms of convenience and the ability to manage greywater and stormwater concurrently, they also come with high capital and maintenance costs. They require expert design, construction, and maintenance, and their extension can be challenging and expensive as a community grows and changes. Leakages pose a risk of wastewater exfiltration and groundwater infiltration, and proper management of these systems is crucial to maintain a safe and hygienic means of transporting wastewater.

Sewage treatment and disposal of effluent varies for each municipality

Belize Water Services (BWS) operates and maintains sewerage systems in three municipalities: Belmopan, Belize City, and San Pedro Town. However, the coverage is not 100% in any of these municipalities. The existing sewerage system in each municipality consists of conventional gravity sewers in zones, with concrete manholes and submersible fiberglass-reinforced plastic pumping stations. Sewage treatment and disposal of effluent vary across these three municipalities.

In Belmopan, a primary treatment plant is used, consisting of a settling tank and four sludge drying beds, along with a 1.5-mile-long disposal pipe. The treated effluent, or clarified wastewater, is released into the Belize River, while the sludge is deposited onto drying beds for agricultural use. This system serves approximately 7,900 consumers, with an estimated daily flow of 200,000 gallons of sewage.

San Pedro Town, the fastest-growing municipality in Belize, faces challenges with improper sewage disposal threatening the Mesoamerican Reef. To address this, BWS has implemented a system consisting of two facultative lagoons operating in series, followed by a maturation pond with impermeable layers. The treated effluent is discharged into the surrounding mangrove wetland for polishing before final disposal into the Caribbean Sea. This system serves approximately 3,400 consumers, treating about 160,000 gallons of sewage per day.

In Belize City, the treatment is provided by a two-cell facultative lagoon system. The treated effluent is discharged into the Caribbean Sea via canals cut through a mangrove wetland. This system serves 37,500 consumers and treats approximately 1,500,000 gallons of sewage daily.

While BWS has implemented treatment systems, concerns remain about the improper disposal of sewage, especially in areas like Ambergris Caye, where the impact on the local marine ecosystem and the Mesoamerican Reef is significant.

Belize's policy framework has strengthened water and sanitation

Belize has taken significant steps to improve its water and sanitation infrastructure, and the gap between poor sanitation and sound infrastructure is narrowing. The government has welcomed assistance from local and international companies to improve the health and well-being of its citizens by providing safe drinking water. This includes basic housing and some rural areas, with a near 25% increase in tourist visits from 2017 to 2018, indicating a demand for improved quality of life.

Belize Water Services Limited (BWS), a public company with the government as a majority shareholder, serves almost all cities in Belize and about 30% of its small villages. BWS has doubled its water supply by investing in infrastructure. They use a "double run" water treatment plant to provide drinkable and potable water. Additionally, BWS treats seawater using reverse osmosis to remove salt, addressing potential future water source needs.

The Solid Waste Management Authority Act, established in 1991, and the subsequent action plan by the Department of Environment (DOE) in 2006, have been instrumental in addressing solid waste disposal issues. The creation of transfer stations for solid waste management by the DOE in 2013 has helped residents of smaller villages and rural areas. Local private collection companies also send trucks to collect waste from rural residents, and the construction of the Mile 24 landfill in 2009 has improved waste management.

Belize has strengthened its policy framework for water and sanitation, as evidenced in its 2014-2024 National Environmental Strategy, the 2008 National Integrated Water Resources Management Policy, and the 2011 National IWRM Act. The formulation of a national Policy and Strategy on Wastewater Management aims to address existing gaps and achieve targets on liquid waste management. This includes harmonizing instruments, improving inter-institutional coordination, developing incentives, and incorporating a circular economy approach for wastewater reuse.

While progress has been made, challenges remain, especially in rural areas and in the southern part of Belize City. Over 20% of schools in Belize report unreliable water supplies, and 25% provide untreated water to students and staff. Additionally, basic cleaning materials like toilet paper and soap are often unavailable. UNICEF's Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) programme aims to address these issues by improving infrastructure, increasing communication, and promoting community participation.

The San Pedro Town Council has mandated that every business on the northwest coast build aerated septic tanks

Belize Water Services (BWS) operates and maintains sewerage systems in three municipalities: Belmopan, Belize City, and San Pedro Town. However, none of these municipalities enjoy 100% coverage, and improper sewage disposal has become a pressing issue, threatening the local marine ecosystem, including the Mesoamerican Reef.

San Pedro Town, the urban center of Ambergris Caye, is the fastest-growing municipality in Belize. The continued growth has put heavy pressure on the local marine ecosystem, and improper disposal of sewage waste is one of the biggest concerns. With limited sewage treatment infrastructure, waterways around the island are being contaminated. While health authorities have not confirmed any public health issues related to sewage, environmentalists warn that it could become a health hazard for residents and natural resources if left unaddressed.

The San Pedro Town Council (SPTC) has taken decisive action to address this issue. They have mandated that every business on the northwest coast of Ambergris Caye, particularly at an area known as Secret Beach, build aerated septic tanks to ensure the proper treatment of sewage and other waste matters. This requirement is crucial as Secret Beach is located near the Hol Chan Marine Reserve extended zone, and proper waste management is essential for the conservation of this ecologically sensitive area.

Mayor Daniel Guerrero has confirmed that there will be no exceptions to this rule, and businesses that do not comply will not have their liquor licenses renewed. This regulation is part of a broader effort to make businesses in the area more environmentally friendly and to protect the surrounding natural environment. The project is monitored by representatives of the Ministry of Health (MOH), who ensure that the required septic systems are installed correctly.

The aerated septic systems are designed to treat waste in an environmentally friendly manner. Solid waste settles at the bottom of the tank, allowing natural bacteria to break it down, while the aeration system mixes wastewater by forcing air into it. This additional oxygen further supports bacterial breakdown of waste. The system is considered efficient and less harmful to the environment, and it even eliminates the typical septic tank odour.

Businesses at Secret Beach are reportedly complying with the new rule and transitioning to aerated septic systems. To maintain their liquor licenses, establishments must provide proof of their plans to install the required septic systems if they have not already done so. This proactive approach by the SPTC is a positive step towards safeguarding the local environment and the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, which supports the livelihoods of thousands of islanders.

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