Chetumal Families Face Home Seizures Over Water Bills

Chetumal, Mexico — The Directorate for Debt Recovery and Fiscal Enforcement (DRAEF) has initiated seizure proceedings against users with outstanding payments for potable water, a situation that has raised alarms among families in Quintana Roo.

Jorge Luis Herrera Romero reported that at least 150 households are facing legal procedures due to accumulated debts with the State Commission of Potable Water and Sewerage (CAPA). Herrera Romero explained that the attempted seizures even extend to ejidal properties. Recently, the DRAEF tried to seize a home in the community of Luis Echeverría, but the action was halted because it involved ejidal patrimony.

The facilitator stated that he continues to support families in negotiating agreements with CAPA to protect their assets. Although many of the original debts are not high, fines, surcharges, and other fiscal fees have increased the amounts to 80,000 or 90,000 pesos, figures that are practically unpayable for numerous users.

In response to this situation, requests for discounts or debt forgiveness have been made through a document submitted to state authorities, which allows for the request of an average discount of 10%. Herrera Romero recalled that at the beginning of the year, an initiative was presented to the Congress of the Union to forgive water debts for low-income families, but the proposal did not move forward.

Among the most concerning cases is that of a pensioner earning a minimum wage whose debt ballooned to 80,000 pesos, now facing seizure despite her vulnerable economic condition. Herrera Romero called on the Government of Quintana Roo and the local Congress to coordinate actions that protect the most affected sectors, especially in the state capital.

During his appearance before legislators in October, the director of CAPA, Hugo Garza Sáenz, reported that the DRAEF secured a subsidy of 86.3 million pesos to benefit 3,110 delinquent users. However, as of 2024, the accumulated delinquency at CAPA amounted to 1,200 million pesos, and approximately 50% of the potable water produced is wasted due to deficient hydraulic infrastructure.