New $542M Water Project to Boost Tulum’s Supply

Cancún, Mexico — The Drinking Water and Sewerage Commission (CAPA) will build a new Drinking Water Extraction Zone in Tulum to meet the growing demand for potable water in the city. The project, requiring an investment of 542,780,746.78 pesos (including VAT), could begin operations this year.

Project Location and Scope

The extraction zone will be situated along the road to the community of Macario Gómez, approximately 4.8 kilometers north of the Tulum-Cobá highway. The 70-hectare property is owned by the State Government of Quintana Roo.

To transport water to Tulum, an aqueduct will be constructed parallel to the right-of-way of the Tulum-Cobá state highway. The aqueduct will measure 1.30 meters in width and cover a surface area of 1.86 hectares. In total, the project will occupy 76.15 hectares of land.

Infrastructure and Technical Details

CAPA cited the exponential growth of Tulum’s municipal seat and the need for improved water quality, free from saltwater intrusion, as key reasons for the project. The new extraction zone will include 24 deep wells, each capable of extracting up to 25 liters per second, for a combined installed capacity of 600 liters per second.

Each well will be drilled to a depth of 30 meters with a 14-inch diameter, featuring 10-inch smooth and grooved casing and 12-inch counter-casing. A curb and sanitary seal will also be installed to prevent contamination.

Aqueduct Construction and Route

A main pipeline (aqueduct) will transport water from the well area to Tulum. The pipeline will begin at the intersection of the access road and run alongside the Tulum-Cobá highway toward the town, crossing Federal Highway 307 before connecting to an existing 12-inch PVC line that supplies the Aldea Zama tank in southern Tulum.

The aqueduct will span 14.28 kilometers, consisting of:

• 12.93 kilometers of 28-inch HDPE pipe
• 1.35 kilometers of 20-inch HDPE pipe

The pipeline will include specialized components, air intake and exhaust systems, and protective measures to ensure proper operation. The route will also feature a surface crossing beneath the power line at the Maya Train overpass, located 3.2 kilometers north of Federal Highway 307.

Social and Economic Impact

The Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) submitted to the General Directorate of Environmental Impact and Risk (DGIRA) emphasizes the project’s role in improving public services. CAPA stated that the initiative will enhance the quality of life for residents and visitors in Tulum, a city renowned for its cultural tourism. The commission described the project as having a "charitable nature," aimed at delivering better goods and services to the community.