440,000 in Quintana Roo Lack Basic Sanitation

Quintana Roo, Mexico — More than 440,000 residents in Quintana Roo lack access to proper drainage and sanitation systems, with peripheral neighborhoods relying on septic tanks that contaminate the subsoil. The issue highlights stark inequalities in a region known for its luxury tourism, as Cancún, now 55 years old, continues to grapple with insecurity, marginalization, poverty, and precarious living conditions.

A Statewide Crisis in Sanitation

According to data from the State Water and Sewer Commission (CAPA), 22.5% of Quintana Roo’s 1,994,000 inhabitants—approximately 448,650 people—do not have access to sewer systems. The municipality with the lowest coverage is Felipe Carrillo Puerto, where only 1% of the population has proper drainage.

CAPA reports that the state operates 31 wastewater treatment plants with a processing capacity of 3,000 liters per second, sufficient for the current demand of 2,000 liters per second. However, the agency acknowledges that expanding coverage by just 1% would require an investment of 1.4 billion pesos.

Neglected Regions

The Maya Zone, encompassing Felipe Carrillo Puerto, José María Morelos, Lázaro Cárdenas, and Bacalar, suffers the most severe neglect. Drainage coverage in these areas stands at 1%, 3.9%, 8.2%, and 18.2%, respectively.

Felipe Carrillo Puerto, which occupies 29.36% of the state’s land area, has 383 localities and a population of 83,990. José María Morelos, with 39,165 residents, covers 10.7% of the state’s territory. Lázaro Cárdenas has 29,171 inhabitants, while Bacalar’s fixed population is 41,754.

Contrasting Conditions

In contrast, Puerto Morelos—the newest municipality after separating from Benito Juárez—boasts 97.5% drainage coverage among its 26,921 residents. Other municipalities report varying levels of service:

• Benito Juárez: 93.8%
• Solidaridad: 92.7%
• Isla Mujeres: 83.1%
• Cozumel: 69.6%
• Othón P. Blanco: 59.9%

Environmental and Health Risks

Sergio González Rubiera, a tourism and transportation entrepreneur, warns that the lack of proper drainage leads to contamination of the groundwater and nearby bodies of water, such as the Nichupté Lagoon.

"In Tajamar, for example, the stench is unbearable just from walking through the area," González Rubiera said. "Waste, particularly fecal matter, travels underground from south to north along the coast. That’s why Nizuc appears cleaner and clearer, while the northern areas, like Puerto Juárez, Punta Sam, and Costa Mujeres, suffer."

He emphasized that the problem is not the fault of the hotel industry, which has its own treatment plants, but rather the result of decades of government inaction. "Previous administrations were fully aware of the issue but chose to ignore it," he said.

Urgent Need for Investment

González Rubiera has formally requested authorities at all levels of government to prioritize infrastructure investment to mitigate further environmental damage. Meanwhile, CAPA maintains it has the technical and legal capacity to manage water and drainage systems in Cancún, Playa del Carmen, Isla Mujeres, and Puerto Morelos.

The situation underscores the urgent need for comprehensive solutions to address the growing disparity between Quintana Roo’s thriving tourist hubs and its underserved communities.