Water resources management in Belize
One of the primary challenges the country is facing with regard to water resources management, however, is the lack of coordinated and comprehensive policies and institutions.
Demand on water resources is growing as the population increases, new economic opportunities are created, and the agriculture sector expands.
A dependable tropical/subtropical rainfall pattern in the Northwest Caribbean region replenishes the freshwater resource after extended dry periods, which are often induced by recurrent atmospheric / oceanic phenomena such as the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO), the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO), and feedback mechanisms associated with climate change.
Coupled with this is the added stress on water resources induced by increasing climatic variability witnessed during the past decade or two.
[3] Total water resources are not evaluated accurately because existing data is limited and this is particularly true with respect to groundwater supplies.
In November and December near the end of the rainy season agricultural activities are commonly restricted due to high water saturation levels in the soil.
[3] Belize has a total of 18 major river catchments with another 16 sub-catchments which drain the Maya Mountains and discharge into the Caribbean Sea.
[2] For more information, see: List of rivers of Belize Surface water resources appear to be abundant all over the country except on the Vaca Plateau, where streams disappear in the porous limestone stratum.
In a general sense, groundwater is available throughout the less mountainous areas of Belize and favourable yield can be attributed to geology and climatic conditions.
Chloride waters are evident in some inland wells in the northern half of the country and are likely a result of the dissolution of salts within the calcareous sediments.
Poor quality groundwater can be expected during the dry season when freshwater recharge from precipitation is negligible, particularly in the North where it extends for three to four months.
[4][5] Belize lies directly in the path of tropical storms and hurricanes and they are a consistent occurrence that bring heavy rainfall that challenge flood control management policies and infrastructure.
The Belize National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) handles the procedures that are needed during flooding events.
The following list are some examples of technology used: enhanced data collection efforts, GIS modeling, information and monitoring center, and a satellite hydrology unit.
As a means of import substitution and reducing the average cost of supplying power, proposals have repeatedly been made for hydroelectric development within the country.
A major hydroelectric project called El Mollejón at Vaca Falls at the confluence of the Rio On and the Macal River is currently under operation.
Declines in freshwater resources due to loss of gathering structures and grounds are already occurring in tandem as a result of land demand and exploitation pressures.
