Water Theft Racket Exploits Cancún’s Informal Settlements as Residents Struggle with Access

Cancún, Quintana Roo — Illegal water vendors are exploiting the lack of formal services in Cancún’s informal settlements, operating a black market for the essential resource as residents describe long-standing challenges in securing access.

In neighborhoods like Tres Reyes, Avante, and El Porvenir, residents report they have not personally witnessed the sale of so-called “phantom water” offered informally. However, the existence of this clandestine market creates uncertainty. It often surfaces when new residents need water immediately, providing an opportunity for irregular suppliers to approach newcomers.

Long-time residents generally avoid these services due to distrust and fear of potential repercussions.

The use of wells is common among nearly all families in these irregular zones, where the absence of piped potable water makes groundwater a vital resource. Residents obtain water for daily use through cenotes, drilled wells, or other water sources, using pumps and hoses.

In the Colonia México, a settlement with about 30 years of history, resident Macrina Jiménez recounted that being far from the urban core meant access to services was non-existent. She revealed they used to supply themselves via a potable water pipe connected to a pumping station operated by Aguakan, the local water concessionaire, located on José López Portillo Avenue.

Jiménez explained that in those years, when the concessionaire offered more accessible terms, it supported neighbors by allowing temporary connections to the pipeline running through the colony.

“Accessing water has always been a challenge for these and other forgotten neighborhoods over the years,” said Jiménez. “Every family had to build their own well, like mine, which is 25 meters deep. Those who lack water face serious problems because it’s indispensable for everything.”

In other areas of the city, water trucks were observed either parked without operators in sight, waiting for distribution, or circulating through the hotel zone toward Cancún, suggesting they had just filled cisterns or pools along Kukulcán Boulevard.

Workers at a pumping station indicated that every truck arriving to fill up must present its corresponding permit and folio number. If they fail to do so, service is denied and authorities are alerted.

“The trucks are concessionaires, and if the driver does not show the proper documents, they are not allowed to fill up because they are operating irregularly,” the workers explained. “If they are providing water, our concessionaire is not the source; they obtain it from other places without authorization.”

The State Prosecutor’s Office currently maintains five open investigation files related to scams involving water sales.