Ambergris Caye Belize Resort Development - Department of ...

The level of phosphates and nitrates found in the waters in and around the caye, as shown in
Table 2.1 varies from 0.4 – 0.6 ppm which is relatively low and that would not be considered as
‘polluting’.
The minor ‘beneficial’ secondary impacts are an indicator that macronutrients are getting into the
environment. This is not a measure of the default of the BESST System to be deployed, but a
function of the runoff from lawns and hedgerows that are to be irrigated by post chlorinated
effluents. It needs to be noted that the BESST Technology is to be integrated with a recycling
scheme where the treated effluents are to be chlorinated and stored for future use.
The issue of fecal coliform associated with the development is an important one. As may be seen
from Table 2.1, the E. coli readings were zero. The generation of E. coli becomes a significant
consideration with the commissioning of the development. The primary impact from these
features of the development has been characterized as ‘major’. The application of the BESST
Sewage Treatment Technology combined with water conservation measures vis-à-vis the water
recirculation/reuse scheme dampens and greatly diminishes the potential human health impacts
from fecal coliform. Thus the ‘Tertiary Impact’ for the potential of ‘Pathogenic Diseases’ has
been assessed as ‘-1’ or minor adverse [See Table 10.1].
10.3.3 Potable Water Impacts
One of the potential threats of the sourcing of potable water through Reverse Osmosis [RO] is
the threat of salinization of soils. The primary impacts of this activity are connected with the
deposition of dredged spoils on-shore, as well as the deployment and operation of the RO Plant
[See Table 10.1]. The primary impacts have been ranked as major given the volume of water to
be used and the volume of hypersaline brine to be derived as a corollary to the process.
The secondary impacts associated with the sourcing of potable water has been assessed as ‘-1’ or
‘minor deleterious’ [See Table 10.1]. This has been a function of the strategy to supplement the
RO source with rainwater catchment. The ‘deep well’ injection of the hypersaline brine from the
RO Process is the main strategy to reduce the ecological impacts from this source.
The main areas to be impacted are the canopy biomass and a decrease the diversity of plant
species [See Table 10.1]. This would be in regards to both the littoral forest and the wetland
mangroves.
The main tertiary impacts are in relation to ‘odor pollution’ and ‘muds and sight pollution’.
These have been assessed as ‘minor’ deleterious given the limited scope of the dredging and
consequent deposition of spoils on-shore and the above-mentioned strategy to supplement the
RO technology for the sourcing of potable water with rainwater catchment.
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