On Tuesday, October 29th, the Government of Belize (GOB) and the Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre (CCCCC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the North Ambergris Caye Water and Wastewater Project. This MOU secures $2 million in project preparation funding for sustainable water and wastewater solutions. The project aims to manage low-carbon, climate-resilient, non-potable, and potable water resources for North Ambergris Caye, marking a crucial step towards enhancing the resilience of new communities.
The Honorable André Perez, Minister for Blue Economy and Disaster Risk Management; Carlos Pol, Acting Chief Executive Officer for the Ministry of Economic Development; and Dr. Colin Young, Executive Director of the Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre (5Cs), signed on behalf of the GO. Mayor Wally Nuñez of San Pedro Town, Mr. Cornelio Acosta, Executive Chairman of Belize Water Services Limited (BWSL), and Ms. Diane Wade, Head of the Project Development Management Unit at 5Cs, witnessed the signing.
“We have come a long way. What we signed is very historical. It is vital and critical as we move towards the future when it relates to sustainable development, especially in the tourism sector,” said Perez regarding the MOU. “This partnership marks a pivotal step in our united efforts to confront the urgent challenges of climate change and foster the sustainable development of our beloved Ambergris Caye. This project stands as a beacon of hope for the people. By investing in a resilient water infrastructure, we are safeguarding our environment, protecting public health, and bolstering the Blue Economy.” Perez said that through this initiative, residents of north Ambergris Caye will enjoy clean, reliable water while protecting the delicate marine ecosystem from wastewater impacts.
Dr. Young explained, “When we look at what’s going to happen in the future from a climate perspective, we know that San Pedro and Ambergris Caye will get drier over time. We understand that over the many years, the aquifer that would have been in San Pedro because of Overuse and droughts would have been exhausted, and so San Pedro, when you look at the growth rate of both the population, not the population who lives year-round in San Pedro plus the fact that it is one of the largest destinations for tourism in the country the water needs of San Pedro is only going to increase over time but what is happening right now is that water when it is flushed down the toilet. It’s used, goes into the sewer system, and never comes back for any reuse, so we are wasting a precious resource. So this particular project, as you will hear in more detail from Dr. Cane in a bit, is that it is going to upgrade the sewage treatment plant from a secondary level to a tertiary level, which has very clean water greater than WHO standard that can be reused for non-potable uses.”
According to recent studies by BWSL, only a small percentage of northern Ambergris Caye is connected to the water and wastewater system. Therefore, groundwork has begun on a concept note for funding the establishment of a new water and wastewater facility on the island. This facility will provide residents with improved access to running water. Currently, businesses in areas like Secret Beach are using aerated septic tanks to treat wastewater and reduce environmental impact. However, this system is inadequate, and a proper facility is essential as the area of Ambergris Caye continues to develop rapidly.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is part of the broader project titled “Building Climate Resilience into the Water and Wastewater System for Ambergris Caye, Belize, Central America” (AC-CReWS). This project aims to enhance the water and wastewater delivery systems in Ambergris Caye, Belize, through several key initiatives: (i) strengthening the enabling environment for low-carbon and climate-resilient water and wastewater management; (ii) integrating low-carbon, climate-resilient systems into water and wastewater management; and (iii) increasing awareness and demand for climate-smart, integrated water and wastewater management practices.
The project will support BWS in improving access to potable water in the rapidly growing municipality while enhancing its capacity to adapt to climate change. The project is expected to begin in 2027 and will be funded by a grant from the Green Climate Fund.
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