160 Plots Pollute Playa del Carmen Cenotes

Playa del Carmen, Mexico — Environmentalists and non-governmental organizations have expressed concern over the contamination of cenotes with sewage in Playa del Carmen, directly affecting households in the municipality. A study conducted by the civil organization Centinelas del Agua revealed high levels of coliforms and nutrients in monitoring wells, uncovering fecal contamination in the aquifer.

According to Alejandro López Tamayo, director of the association, the root of the problem lies in the lack of sanitary drainage infrastructure. The research he conducted showed that at least 160 plots in Playa del Carmen are not connected to the drainage system and discharge directly into the subsoil.

“In Playa del Carmen, we found concentrations that exceed the limits of detection, to give you an idea of the high concentrations of pollutants in that area compared to Cancún,” López Tamayo warned. “In Cancún, the Nichupté Mangrove lagoon system helps a great deal as a large filter, so we find very low concentrations in the coastal area. Punta Cancún does have enterococcus, around 900 per 100 milliliters, but the Playa del Carmen area tested above 24,000.”

It is important to note that enterococcus is an indicator of fecal contamination, as these bacteria normally live in the intestines of humans and warm-blooded animals.

This situation represents a significant environmental and public health risk because the wastewater flows directly into underground caves and cenotes, contaminating the aquifer that supplies water to the entire region.

Although five homes in the Colosio neighborhood were connected to the sanitary drainage system, at least 168 remain without connection, not counting those in the same situation in the Ejido neighborhood.

While these types of public works are not as visible as other urban infrastructures, their impact is fundamental. “Preserving water quality and protecting the beaches that attract tourism requires serious investments in wastewater treatment,” stated López Tamayo.

The excess nutrients discharged into water bodies contribute to the proliferation of sargassum, a phenomenon affecting both the Caribbean Sea and the tourism industry. This imbalance is also one of the main causes of the loss of coral cover, as variations in water quality, salinity, and the increase in nutrients cause a high level of stress on the reefs.

For its part, the portal Remedia.bio points out that most treatment plants in Quintana Roo do not comply with the current environmental standard (NOM-001-Semarnat-2021). It also warns of an excessive granting of construction permits without guaranteeing the existence of drainage, and where drainage already exists, the result is inefficient and ends up contaminating the subsoil.

Finally, Centinelas del Agua issued an urgent call to the three levels of government to coordinate in resolving this structural problem and invites citizens to participate by verifying if their homes are connected to the drainage system, or alternatively, to install biodigesters as an alternative.