A new cenote, or natural sinkhole, has been discovered in the urban area of Cancún. The discovery was made by local residents who reported it to the Benito Juárez Municipality's Directorate of Ecology. The cenote, located in Region 247, is an open cavern type. However, it is heavily polluted with domestic waste, including discarded air conditioners and a large quantity of miscellaneous rubbish.

Compared to the 50 other cenotes regularly maintained by the municipality, this newly discovered one has a significantly higher amount of waste. Among the debris, many discarded tires were found, indicating a need for better waste management practices in the area.

In response to this discovery, local authorities are seeking assistance from businesses, hotels, schools, and residents to organize a cleanup effort. The task requires a substantial amount of manpower. One of the cenotes previously cleaned was filled with coconut husks, suggesting that local businesses are using these natural formations as dumping grounds.

This situation highlights the need for greater awareness and control over waste disposal. A positive example can be found in the guardians of a cenote located behind the San José Church in Region 100. These local residents take responsibility for keeping the cenote clean, even outside of the municipality-organized cleaning days, demonstrating the potential for community involvement in preserving these ecosystems.

Despite increased attention to these water bodies since the launch of the 'Urban Cenotes' program in 2018, there is still much work to be done. The cenotes, which are scattered throughout the city, cannot be neglected by future administrations. They come in various forms, from caves and hollows to gullies, and are often found in regions such as 255, 100, and irregular colonies like Avante, Machado, and Carabanchel.

The level of pollution in each cenote varies, often depending on the proximity of shopping centers or businesses with poor waste management practices. Approximately nine tons of solid waste are collected from the cenotes annually, a figure that has remained stable in recent years. Cleaning days for the cenotes are held twice a month, with additional days organized upon request from local residents.