Riviera Maya, Q.R. — Authorities will review Aguakan in the New Year once local budgets have been set. Deputy Jorge Arturo Sanen Cervantes, President of the Governing Board and Political Coordination of the state Congress, says the new agreement involving the right to water will likely change circumstances for the private water company.
On November 25, President Claudia Sheinbaum announced the signing of the National Agreement for the Human Right to Water and Sustainability for Mexico.
The Acuerdo Nacional por el Derecho al Agua y Sustentabilidad agreement was signed between the Government of Mexico, President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo and the National Water Commission (Conagua).
The Director General of the Comisión Nacional del Agua (Conagua), Efraín Morales López, says the Agreement is derived from the National Water Plan 2024-2030 and is to “guarantee the human right to water in sufficient quantity and quality, ensure the sustainability of resources and promote proper management of water in all its uses.
In addition, it seeks to advance toward “food security and national development,” he added.
According to Deputy Jorge Arturo Sanen Cervantes, Aguakan continues its legal process after seeking an Amparo last year to avoid cancellation of its contract. However, derived from the new National Agreement for the Human Right to Water and Sustainability, state officials will be resuming a review of the concession agreement Aguakan has to operate in four municipalities.
“With the new agreement signed by the governors and Claudia Sheinbaum, which speaks a lot about dignifying the true spirit of national waters, which are not a commodity but really a right, it helps a lot.
“We have to dignify the concessions and get in line with the new agreement or remove the concessions if necessary, but doing it in a legal way, not just take it away,” he said.
Deputy Sanen Cervantes also said they will be looking at the rates charged by Aguakan since they are the highest in the state, although that will depend on the final resolution of the appeals filed by Aguakan.
He says state officials are hoping to regulate excesses and abuses that directly affect citizens so they do not continue.
Private water company Aguakan was granted a 30 year concession by former governor Roberto Borge. That concession allowed them to offer water services in Isla Mujeres, Benito Juarez, Solidaridad and Puerto Morelos, four of the states busiest municipalities.
Current Governor Mara Lezama will be the person who establishes the guidelines of the new water agreement for the state of Quintana Roo. In coming months, Lezama will order the water concessions as established by the National Water Plan, which could resolve the case of Aguakan.
Last year, the municipalities of Isla Mujeres, Benito Juarez, Solidaridad and Puerto Morelos voted in a citizen consultation for the cancellation of Aguakan. However, Aguakan resorted to legal resources to prevent losing their concession.
