Tonight, there are public health concerns for the coast areas of Port Loyola after a study has surfaced pointing to worrying levels of E. coli contamination arising from the sewage ponds along Faber's Road - known as "The Dike."
A report shared with the press yesterday by Port Developer David Gegg says, quote, "the fecal coliform levels reported in the BWSL dataset are far above acceptable public health thresholds and are indicative of heavy fecal contamination equivalent to extremely elevated E. coli concentrations. These levels present a high risk of gastrointestinal disease through ingestion or direct contact."
Later on it says, quote, "the extremely elevated fecal coliform concentrations, which consistently and substantially exceed the regulatory limit.177,727 colonies per 100 milliliter in 2022." End quote.
That's 889 times the regulatory limit - alarming even if it was sampled 5 years ago.
We spoke to the BWS Chairman about it today:
Cornelio Acosta, Chairman - BWSL
"I haven't seen the report as yet. I did see it on the newscast yesterday. And, to be honest, I think it's really, some misguided anger against BWS, between two development projects, which, well, unfortunately, we're the ones in the middle. But, really, it's nothing to hide Jules. BWS, so it's been through administrations, past administrations. We're very little, investment has been done on waste water and sanitation. And if you do an assessment of the water quality throughout the coast, you are going to see some scary results. Right? So I'm sure, when Mr. Gegg complains about about the ponds, yes. It's in a bad situation, but I'm sure he's going to see some of these same effects, where he plans to develop as well, because I think he's about six miles away from where we are."
Jules Vasquez
"But when you read things like the fecal coliform levels reported in the BWSL dataset, are far above acceptable public health thresholds are and are indicative of heavy fecal contamination equivalent to extremely elevated E.coli concentrations. They present a high risk of gastrointestinal disease through ingestion or direct contact. You know, it says that in vulnerable populations, children, the elderly and immunocompromised individuals, it may result in infections which could become severe or life threatening. But so, yeah, it's, some very serious findings for the immediate term. What are you able to say to persons living in Port Loyola and along Farber's road?"
Cornelio Acosta, Chairman - BWSL
"BWS is working on improving the outflow so we have already acquired some some solar aerators which should assist in the breakdown. We continuously we're continuously doing the desludging process as well. And also utilizing bacteria to do some improvements. So we have been taking that proactive approach for now. Until the plant is completed, the plant takes about between a year and a half 2 years to be completed."
Jules Vasquez
"In March of 2026. What do you see as the immediate public health risks associated with the outflow from the sewage ponds?"
Cornelio Acosta, Chairman - BWSL
"The testing portion of it, comes when it's a lot closer to the outflow itself. The mangroves help, as a natural filtration process. And of course, you have the seed that then would, would well, disperse it and reduce the harmful effects. So there is that risk. But I don't see anyone, swimming immediately in, in that vicinity. So it gets reduced significantly. But nevertheless, it's a concern that we take seriously. And it's something that we're working hard to address and minimize. For now, until the new plan comes into effect in two years."
Acosta also discussed the plans to modernize wastewater treatment in the city:
Cornelio Acosta, Chairman - BWSL
"What we have done is we have invested over the past three years, about $6 million in making improvements in BElize City's sewer infrastructure, wastewater treatment facility. You're looking at, moving from a primary, treatment facility to a tertiary treatment facility full with a UV filtration system at the end to ensure that the water quality, is is better not."
Work on the plant will start in April.
