Belize's Underwater World: A Window To The Water's Clarity And Color

Belize is a small Central American country with a coastline on the Caribbean Sea, boasting many coral reefs, cays, and islands. The country has a total of 542km of land borders, with Mexico to the north and Guatemala to the south. The Belize Barrier Reef, the longest in the Western Hemisphere, is a notable feature of the country's coastline. The reef is approximately 322km long and forms part of a larger reef system that is the second-longest in the world after Australia's Great Barrier Reef.

Belize has a tropical climate with a rainy season from June to November and a dry season from January to May. The annual rainfall varies from 1,350mm in the north to over 4,500mm in the south. The country is home to several rivers, including the Belize River, which is the largest and most historically important. The river drains a significant portion of the country and was a vital trade route for the Maya Indians during the pre-Columbian era.

The water in Belize is mostly of good quality, except in some rural areas where it is not satisfactorily treated. The country faces challenges in water resources management, including a lack of coordinated policies and institutions, as well as increasing demands on freshwater resources due to population growth, economic development, and agricultural expansion.

Water pollution from sewage, industrial effluents, agricultural runoff, and solid waste disposal

Belize's water resources are vulnerable to degradation from water pollution, including pollution of the Belize Barrier Reef System, from sewage, industrial effluents, agricultural runoff, and solid waste disposal.

Sewage

Municipal wastewater and sewage from homes and businesses often enter rivers and streams in Belize. These may carry microorganisms that can cause infections and diseases, as well as chemicals such as nitrates, phosphates, and other harmful substances that can contaminate surface and groundwater resources. Septic tank facilities, which are not part of a sewer treatment system, can also contaminate groundwater and surface water resources as the wastewater remains untreated. In Belize City and San Pedro Town, the sewer system only serves 35% of households. Since Belize City is below sea level and primarily swamp, all forms of sewage disposal not connected to the sewer treatment system empty waste into canals, rivers, and groundwater bodies. Several coastal communities, including Hopkins, Placencia, and Punta Gorda Town, lack sewer systems, adding to the problem of water pollution along the coastlines and sea.

Industrial Effluents

Industrial waste, particularly from large industries, often contains toxic waste and organic pollutants. Small or light industries, such as vehicle mechanics, bakeries, car paint shops, car washes, boat-makers, hotels, and restaurants, also contribute significantly to water pollution in towns and cities. While some major industries have acquired or are building treatment facilities for industrial wastewater, industrial wastewater accounts for almost two-thirds of the wastewater produced nationally.

Agricultural Runoff

Agricultural practices such as the use of fertilizers, pesticides, mechanical or slash-and-burn methods, contribute to the contamination of groundwater and surface water resources. Intense farming pressures cause chemicals from fertilizers and pesticides to seep into the groundwater, a process known as leaching. Agricultural runoff, or water from farmlands that drains into rivers, is a major source of water pollution.

Solid Waste Disposal

Belize also faces challenges with the improper disposal of solid waste.

The Belize River, the country's largest and most historically important river

The Belize River begins where the Mopan River and Macal River join, just east of San Ignacio, Belize. The river catchment area contains over 45% of Belize's population. The river served as the main artery of commerce and communication between the interior and the coast until the 20th century and has long been associated with forestry. Loggers using the river encountered the Maya and had conflicts with them and with the Spaniards. By the late 19th century, there were over 130 small settlements along the river.

Today, the Belize River is a vital source of drinking water and for other domestic uses for the populations living along the river. However, water quality is poor due to sediment, nutrient loading, pesticides, and other toxins. The major sources of degradation are extensive deforestation in the upper reaches of the Mopan River and unsustainable agriculture. Traditional slash-and-burn agricultural practices also contribute to watershed degradation.

There are several Maya archaeological sites in the watershed of the Belize River and its tributaries: the Mopan River, Macal River, and Chaa Creek. These include Xunantunich, Chaa Creek, and Cahal Pech.

The Belize Barrier Reef, the longest in the Western Hemisphere

The Belize Barrier Reef is the longest reef in the Western Hemisphere and the second-largest coral reef system in the world. Running about 190 miles (300 kilometres) parallel to Belize's coastline, it is a natural wonder and one of the country's most important natural assets. It is also a vital part of Belize's fishing industry and its top tourist destination, attracting almost half of its 260,000 visitors.

The Belize Barrier Reef is a series of coral reefs that straddle the Belize coastline, sitting about 300 metres (980 feet) offshore in the north and 40 kilometres (25 miles) in the south. It is part of the 900-kilometre (560-mile) Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System, which stretches from Cancún on the Yucatán Peninsula down to Honduras.

The reef is home to a vast array of marine life, including sea turtles, rays, eels, nurse sharks, goliath groupers, dolphins, and manatees. It also boasts three distinct Caribbean atolls: Turneffe Atoll, Glover's Reef, and Lighthouse Reef. Lighthouse Reef is the most easterly diving area in Belize and is home to the Great Blue Hole, made famous by Jacques Cousteau in 1970. Turneffe Atoll lies directly east of Belize City and is the nearest of the atolls to the city. These different reefs provide diverse scuba diving opportunities, including walls, pinnacles, and reef flats located throughout a vast area of sea.

The Belize Barrier Reef is also a protective barrier for the coastline, shielding it from the damaging effects of wave action, tropical storms, and hurricanes.

In 1996, the Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System, which includes seven marine reserves, 450 cayes, and three atolls, was designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. The reserve covers 960 square kilometres (370 square miles) and is home to a diverse range of flora and fauna. However, despite protective measures, the reef remains under threat from oceanic pollution, uncontrolled tourism, shipping, and fishing. Other threats include hurricanes, global warming, and the resulting increase in ocean temperatures, which cause coral bleaching. Scientists claim that over 40% of Belize's coral reef has been damaged since 1998.

The country's northern and southern borders are defined by the Hondo and Sarstoon rivers

Belize is a small country located on the Caribbean coast of northern Central America. It is bordered by the Caribbean Sea to the east and has 35 major rivers flowing through its territory. The country's northern and southern borders are defined by two of these rivers, the Hondo and the Sarstoon, respectively. These rivers are the northernmost and southernmost bodies of water in Belize and also serve as international borders.

The Hondo River, also known as Rio Hondo, is approximately 150 kilometres long and flows northeast into the Bay of Chetumal in the Caribbean Sea. The river is formed by the confluence of several upper rivers, including the Blue Creek and Chan Chich (Rio Bravo), which originate in the Petén Basin of Guatemala, and the Booth River, which rises in the western district of Belize. The Hondo River serves as the border between Belize and Mexico, with the majority of the international border between the two nations running along it. The river is easily accessible from the Orange Walk District in Belize, with crossings into Mexican territory at Santa Elena and through small villages along the Rio Banco. The Hondo River is also a popular tourist destination, offering health and wellness experiences due to the therapeutic benefits of its mineral-rich water.

The Sarstoon River, or Río Sarstún in Spanish, is 111 kilometres long and flows eastward from its source in Guatemala's Alta Verapaz Department. It serves as the border between the Guatemalan departments of Petén and Izabal, and between Belize's Toledo District and Guatemala's Izabal Department. Near the mouth of the Sarstoon River lies Sarstoon Island, an uninhabited mangrove swampland that is part of the Toledo District of Belize. The Sarstoon River is the internationally accepted border between Belize and Guatemala, despite ongoing territorial disputes since 1999, with Guatemala claiming Belizean territory south of the Sibun River. These disputes have led to incidents such as Guatemalan gunboats preventing the Belizean coast guard from patrolling the river in 2019.

The Hondo and Sarstoon Rivers play a significant role in shaping the geography and international borders of Belize. While the Hondo River marks the border with Mexico and facilitates travel between the two countries, the Sarstoon River's location as the border with Guatemala has been a source of tension and territorial disputes.

The country's water resources management

Belize has a wealth of water resources, including numerous rivers and lakes, as well as substantial surface and groundwater sources. The country's water resources management, however, faces several challenges and complexities.

The Water and Sewerage Authority (WASA) is primarily responsible for water resources management in Belize. One of the critical challenges is the lack of coordinated and comprehensive policies and institutions. There is a need for better-defined management duties, particularly regarding groundwater use. The legal and institutional framework pertaining to water resources is fragmented, with certain aspects well-covered by law, while others are neglected.

Groundwater data and supply provisions are not adequately addressed, and there is a lack of information on irrigation, drainage, and stormwater infrastructure management. Belize's water resources are under increasing pressure due to population growth, economic development, and agricultural expansion. This heightened demand threatens the quality and quantity of freshwater resources, especially with the additional stress induced by climatic variability.

The country experiences a dry season from January to May, followed by a rainy season that peaks in July. Annual rainfall varies across the country, ranging from 1,500 mm in the north to 4,000 mm in the south. Belize is also susceptible to tropical storms and hurricanes, which pose a constant threat of flooding. The Belize National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) plays a crucial role in flood management during these events.

Belize has 18 major river catchments and 16 sub-catchments that drain the Maya Mountains and discharge into the Caribbean Sea. The river systems exhibit distinct characteristics, with meandering streams in the north and smaller, faster-flowing basins in the south. The northern region is defined by calcareous sediments with high permeability, while the southern region, featuring limestones, shales, and slates, has varying groundwater extraction potential due to differences in permeability.

The average daily water use in Belize is comparable to that of industrialized nations, with approximately 160 litres in rural areas and 240-280 litres in urban areas. Industrial processes account for the most significant demand, utilising about 73% of freshwater resources. Water quality is generally good, except in urban areas where industrial effluents are discharged. Groundwater used for supply is typically free of major contaminants, and urban water delivery systems connected to WASA's infrastructure are treated and safe. However, these systems only account for about 30% of the total systems in Belize.

Belize has taken steps towards hydroelectric development to reduce reliance on oil imports and Mexican power. Several potential sites for large and small hydroelectric projects have been identified, and a major project, El Mollejón, is already operational, generating 25.2 MW of electricity for the country.

Frequently asked questions