Riviera Maya Beaches Deemed Clean and Suitable for Summer Tourism
The Federal Commission for the Protection against Sanitary Risks (COFEPRIS) analyzed the levels of bacteria in the seawater from 36 main coastal stretches in the state of Quintana Roo.
Tests taken in anticipation of the summer vacation period showed that the samples from all of the beaches all fell within the allowed parameters of sea water quality after analysis.
The “Clean Beaches Program” is carried out by COFEPRIS in coordination with the Ministry of the Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT). Their test results showed that the main beaches areas are suitable for human recreation in the state of Quintana Roo this summer.
The coastal demarcations, where the seawater samples were obtained, are located in the municipalities of Othón P. Blanco (Chetumal), Tulum, Solidaridad, Cozumel, Isla Mujeres, Puerto Morelos and Benito Juárez.
According to the data released on the agency’s electronic portal, monitoring is activated during each holiday period to analyze the levels of bacteriological elements found in the seawater, not only on this state’s beaches, but throughout the Mexican Republic.
The samples were taken from each of the beaches of the mentioned municipalities between June 14 and 25. The unit of measurement used was the Most Probable Number (MPN) of “enterococci” found in 100 millimeters of seawater. Levels of 0 to 200 MPN of enterococci are considered suitable for human recreation. Levels above 200 NMP mean that the water is unsuitable for swimming.
In the case of the beaches of Quintana Roo, the number reported were between 10 and 46 MPN of enterococci, well below the limit to declare them unsuitable for human recreation.
Four sections of Mahahual beach were analyzed, five beach spots in Tulum and eight in Solidaridad. Samples from two beach areas on Isla Mujeres were analyzed, ten from Cozumel, six in Benito Juárez and one in Puerto Morelos.
It is worth noting that many beaches in Quintana Roo in recent weeks have registered an intense arrival of sargassum that, in some cases, has left the sea water grayish in color.
Source: SIPSE