So, what happened with that integrated sewer system that the Belize Water Services and the Government of Belize announced in 2011? Has it been stalled, or has it been scrapped? Well, the company's representative met with us for an intensive sit-down interview, where they explained that the project is going to happen, it's just a matter of when. For context, they told us about what has been happening since 2011:
Sanjay Keshwani - Technical Services Manager, BWSL
"2011, the government of Belize and I think we had signed the contract for this project. 2011, after that the feasibility study was done. The Halcrow was hired as a consultant following the IDB policy and procedures. Feasibility study was done July 2012 and then again following the IDB policy and procedures, we hired HILCO as a detailed design consultant. In 2013, HILCO was hired by September 2013. The procedures have taken long. It takes about 6 months' time to hire an international consultant. The first effort was failure. So that's why from 2012 to 2013. After HILCO came on board in 2014, they did preliminary studies, preliminary design, estimate and so forth. They were designing for the location across Seine Bight. The first meeting with the Shrimp Farm Growers Association where they...they were polite but they were very forceful and objecting the location. Since then the project is in this mode. So we were trying to work with them, how we can agree on something. Finally it was decided that we need to do this study to scientifically prove that this particular location is better for every single industry in that region. So that's where we are today."
So, as you heard, since the shrimp farmers disagreed with the location that this system would be placed, BWS went back to the drawing board. They've since been planning a feasibility assessment called the Nutrient Fate and Transport Study. That will tell them what happens to the nutrients generated from human waste, the corresponding fecal bacteria, and other chemical parameters in the lagoon. Basically, they want to find out exactly what happens when treated water is placed into the lagoon, and what effect it will have. That takes one and a half years to complete, and then they move on to other studies. All the while, the lagoon remains polluted with the currently inefficient septic sewage system currently being used by residents and hoteliers on the peninsula. So, theoretically, how long with it take before this project actually becomes a reality? That's what we asked:
Frederick Sandiford - Resident Consultant Engineer, BWSL
"The plan is to move on to the detail design once the Nutrient Fate and Transport Study is completed. After the detail design then it will be construction."
Daniel Ortiz
"Any ideas as to a possible or what is the expected time it will take to reach the construction and how long will construction take? So I'm trying to get a holistic picture of ok, we are opening the sewage system today. What's that day going to be... possibly?"
Frederick Sandiford - Resident Consultant Engineer, BWSL
"Given that funded is available, we the Nutrient Fate and Transport Study possibly starting early next year, the 1st quarter. That will take a year and a half. So that will take us to the latter part of 2017. After Nutrient Fate and Transport Study is completed, we will go to the detail design. That will take approximately 1 year. That will take us to the latter part of 2018. Construction will generally between 1 to 2 years. So that will take us to 2020 and that will complete system. That is given. Funded is available."
Daniel Ortiz
"...Everything works out as is to be planned."
Frederick Sandiford - Resident Consultant Engineer, BWSL
"Yes."
Daniel Ortiz
"So are we to be worried in that 5 year period, concern that the lagoon is being slowly polluted by the nutrients from the septic sewage system that is currently being employed by residence and the hotelier industry in that area?"
Frederick Sandiford - Resident Consultant Engineer, BWSL
"I can't definitively say that but I am sure that some level of pollution of the marine environment is presently being had."
The technical personnel tell us that it often costs an average of 10x as much to provide sewage services for a community as it is to provide water for that same community.
So, what about the rest of the country and the other coastal community? Well, tune in tomorrow, when you'll hear the BWS personnel explain in detail how the country just cannot afford a proper sewage system - and the effect that it is having on the coastline.
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