Today's Water Cooling Event at the Tower Hill Factory also gave the Department of Environment an opportunity to discuss its latest activities to restore the New River back to a healthier state.
Here's that briefing from Anthony Mai, a Senior Environmental Officer:
Anthony Mai, Senior Environmental Officer, DOE
"They have the installation of the hydrological stations along the river and I'll discuss more in details about this. We have the establishment of a central and modern database management system to hold all the data that we are collecting. And this fourth, we will conduct a bathymetric profile of the river bottom and I'll explain why that is important. We will establish a nursery to re-vegetate the disturbed buffer zone along the river. Also we have strengthen waste water management in terms of some of the activities that we have plan for the Orange Walk community itself. We have increase public awareness on all the activities that we have been doing in terms of restoring and protecting the new river. Also the preparation of a comprehensive water shed management plan for this entire river."
"In terms of the water quality monitoring, I mentioned that we have been doing this October 2019 and so that's maybe over a year of data that we have which is important and I already mentioned why. So we take samples from about 20 locations along the river and we don't only take a surface, but we do column as well and so we take every 3,6,9 and 12 and 15 feet. The river bottom and the depth varies and so we just use those as guide. That is critical, because this new river is very dynamic. Its a very complex system and it took a lot for us to really understand what's going on. We do believe that we have a good clear understanding of what is happening. There is much more that needs to be done and more that needs to be understood, but at least from the base we understand what's going on."
"In terms of the hydrological station, we have been working with the hydrology unit in the ministry of natural resources. They have given us the specifications of hydrological systems that they would want to install in the river. We will install 4 early next year. We are going through the procurement process for these equipment."
Reporter
"Isn't there a need for sanctions to get people to comply if they continuously violate?"
Hon. Orlando "Landy" Habet
"Certainly, but I think we have to set the stage and assist them especially in terms of education so that they know what is right from wrong. We can give them all the regulations, but if they don't understand what is happening, then they might not comply."
