Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo — Water service has been cut or severely reduced in at least 18 neighborhoods across this coastal city, leaving thousands of residents without reliable access to running water. The private utility Aguakan, which holds the local water concession, has been accused of failing to maintain adequate infrastructure as the city experiences rapid urban growth.
The affected neighborhoods include Villamar I and II, Palmas I and II, Cataluña II, Misión del Carmen, Palmas Turquesa, Mundo Hábitat, Villar del Sol (first and fourth stages), Pescadores II, Misión de las Flores, Plaza Azul, Galaxia II, La Toscana, El Edén Plus, Zazil-Há, Forjadores, El Ejido, 28 de Julio, and Luis Donaldo Colosio. Some residents say they have received water only in trickles for the past two weeks.
“We don’t know what’s happening,” said a resident of the Misión Villamar I development. “Since 9 a.m. the street mains are empty, and water only returns at night.”
Alejandro Perera, a affected resident, said the company can no longer meet demand. “Demand has outstripped infrastructure capacity,” he said. “They should consider building storage tanks in various neighborhoods to prevent shortages.”
Yoli Mendoza criticized local authorities for failing to address the problem. “This issue has been reported for years, but officials are too busy with early election campaigns to resolve social problems,” she said.
Juan Alcocer argued that privatization is to blame. “Ever since the government handed over the water concession, service has deteriorated. Despite this crisis, authorities show no interest, and legislators only care about polishing their image on social media to stay in power. It’s shameful,” he said.
Santiago Miss stated that the municipal government claims to be working for a better quality of life, but refuses to acknowledge serious social problems. Genaro Puc said residents regret trusting Mayor Estefanía Mercado’s promises. “We were taken in by populist rhetoric and a slick slogan, but we need to be more analytical,” he said.
Fernando Salazar, a local merchant, called the concession a failure. “Aguakan only came to collect money, not to improve water and sewerage infrastructure. The authorities keep protecting a company that limits access to a human right,” he said.
