Mexico’s Caribbean Coast Suffers Ongoing Sewage Disaster

Quintana Roo, Mexico — Residents across Quintana Roo are grappling with persistent sewage overflows, foul odors, and environmental contamination as aging infrastructure and delayed projects exacerbate the crisis. From Chetumal to Cancún, communities report years of neglect by concessionaire Aguakan and the state water commission, CAPA, with no resolution in sight.

Decades of Neglect in El Betel

In the El Betel neighborhood, adjacent to the Chacmuchuc Lagoon System, more than 5,000 residents have endured raw sewage spills for a decade. A wastewater treatment plant operated by Aguakan, a subsidiary of Grupo Mexicano de Desarrollo, has repeatedly discharged untreated effluent into the area. Despite attempts by workers to conceal the spills with rocks, the contamination remains visible.

"The stench and overflow are constant, 24 hours a day. Sometimes, the sewage floods our homes while we sleep," said Víctor Maturano, a resident since 2009. He noted that the problems began when the plant opened in 2015, leading to health issues among children and pets. Compounding the crisis, leachate from a poorly managed landfill, closed in 2005, continues to seep into the environment.

Puerto Morelos: A Decade-Long Wait for Solutions

In Puerto Morelos, a long-promised wastewater treatment plant remains unfinished, leaving neighborhoods like 23 de Octubre, Joaquín Zetina Gasca, and Infovir without proper drainage. The project, announced over 10 years ago, only saw preliminary work begin recently.

"Around three years ago, they installed drainage pipes but told us not to connect because the treatment plant wasn’t operational. Misinformation led to illegal connections, causing constant overflows on Caoba Street," explained a resident of 23 de Octubre. Aguakan has not provided a timeline for completion.

Cozumel: Unfinished Repairs Disrupt Daily Life

In Cozumel, incomplete repairs by CAPA have snarled traffic, hurt businesses, and disrupted water service. "We’ve had open trenches for months—dust, mud, and no warning when water cuts happen," said Rosa Martínez, a San Miguel resident. Local merchants, like restaurateur Javier Aguilar, reported dwindling customers due to inaccessible streets. Taxi drivers also cited delays and lost income. CAPA has not addressed the delays publicly.

Chetumal: Tragedy and Unresolved Repairs

A stalled drainage project on Avenida Insurgentes in Chetumal has left a key thoroughfare blocked since March, following a fatal accident. Two workers from subcontractor Maype Construcciones died after being buried in a trench during pipe repairs. Investigations by the state attorney general’s office and labor authorities delayed work for weeks, but the project remains incomplete, affecting the Almendros and Laguna Guerrero neighborhoods.

"The road closure is a nightmare for students, workers, and residents. CAPA shows no urgency to finish," said a local resident near Colegio de Bachilleres Plantel Uno.

Broader Pattern of Complaints

The sewage crisis is not isolated. Recent reports include:

• A Cancún supermarket reeking of sewage, unresolved for months.
• A primary school in Cancún where students face health risks from untreated wastewater.
• Beaches in Cancún contaminated with fecal matter, endangering swimmers.

Aguakan and CAPA have yet to respond to mounting complaints, leaving Quintana Roo residents demanding accountability and swift action.