75% of Cenotes Polluted by Waste: Urgent Action Needed

Cancún, Quintana Roo — In observance of World Environment Day, the organization Water Sentinels issued an urgent call for citizens to strengthen environmental awareness and halt the contamination of cenotes in Cancún. The group emphasized that these water bodies are a vital source for the ecosystem and the supply of drinking water in the Yucatán Peninsula.

Carlos Pacheco, director of development and facilities for the organization, explained that over 75% of monitored cenotes show recurring presence of urban solid waste, primarily due to irresponsible dumping by nearby residents.

“People need to become aware that throwing trash or furniture into a cenote means contaminating the water we use daily,” Pacheco stated during his participation in the Sixth Environmental Fair held this Wednesday at Kabah Park in Cancún.

Contamination of Cenotes Directly Affects Aquifers

Pacheco warned that these water bodies are connected to the aquifers from which water is extracted for domestic and industrial use. Polluting them with waste such as tires, furniture, or sanitary waste compromises the quality of the water that reaches households.

“The water extracted by companies like Aguakan or Capa comes from those same underground aquifers. If they are contaminated, the problem becomes widespread,” he cautioned.

Urban Cenote Rescue Program Inspires Other States

The efforts of Water Sentinels have yielded results. Their urban cenote rescue program has been successfully replicated in municipalities such as Benito Juárez, Playa del Carmen, and Puerto Morelos, and they have already received invitations from Yucatán to implement it there.

Among the success stories is the cenote located on Avenida Las Torres in Cancún, where residents themselves organize weekly cleanup brigades.

“For the past two years, intervention from authorities or civil organizations hasn’t been necessary. The community has taken ownership of the space, and that has made all the difference,” Pacheco acknowledged.

8.5 Tons of Waste Collected from Cancún Cenotes This Year

Currently, the municipality of Benito Juárez has 77 identified urban cenotes, 26 of which are in public spaces. So far this year, 10 cleanup efforts have been carried out, collecting over 8,500 kilograms of waste.

Water Sentinels stressed the need for citizens to actively engage in the conservation of water bodies, both urban and rural.

“If we throw trash, we pollute; but if we take care, we protect the water we all need,” Pacheco concluded.