Yum Balisi Sustainable Luxury Resort - Department of Environment

Using the total water consumption flow rate calculated at 10,000 gallons per day, the
proposed tank volume has the ability to sustain a water supply to the resort for 2 days in the
event of a water shortage. The tank will be connected to the individual water storage tanks
and shall have provisions for treatment either by ultraviolet light or chlorination. This cistern
will need to be designed in consideration of the geology of the site.
Mitigation
i. The greatest potential impact is the possibility for the fresh water supply required
by the facility to become contaminated. This is intended to be mitigated by the
installation of an ultraviolet treatment system supported by a backup chlorination
treatment system.
ii. Storage reservoirs will be outfitted with Hypalon liners to prevent seepage or
cross contamination from ground water. In addition the cistern will be properly
covered to prevent any access by vermin or pests.
iii. Storage tanks will be placed on piles in consideration of its weight and the
geology of the island.
Sewage Treatment
The operation of the Yum Balisi facilities will generate moderate amounts of wastewater
from guest water usage, and from the operation of the laundry and kitchen facilities. The
approved capacity of the treatment plant for the proposed for the Yum Balisi Eco-Resort on
Fisherman’s Caye, is approximately 10,000 gallons per day although the estimated volume of
waste water generated on a daily basis is approximately 8,000gpd.
The two (2) main impacts relevant to the proposed undertaking are increased nutrients and
fecal coliform in the water column. The situation resulting from the increased nutrients in the
water column is generally referred to as eutrophication. Eutrophication is primarily caused by
the elevated presence of limiting nutrients such as phosphates and nitrates. Phosphates are
generally derived from gray water effluents, while sewage effluent from the flushing of
toilets is the main source of nitrates. In general a major source of phosphates in gray water
effluents is from detergents.
The oligotrophic waters of Fisherman’s Caye and its surroundings are hence very sensitive to
any anthropogenic increase in these nutrients. Concentrations of phosphate of >1ppm can
cause eutrophication of these waters. A secondary impact of eutrophication could result in
algae encrustation of corals and the possibility of red tide blooms.
Environmental Impact Assessment –November 2010
E 11