Playa del Carmen, Q.R. — Environmental officials say their investigation into a case of wastewater beach disposal is still under investigation. The Secretariat of Sustainable Environment and Climate Change says the investigation into contaminated water being drained into the sea is ongoing.
Playa del Carmen Secretariat Kandy Mendoza stated that actions were immediately taken Sunday to address the situation.
After verifying a citizen video showing drainage tubes moving wastewater from a property into the sea on Playa Xcalacoco, environmental officials proceed to close the site.
However, on Monday, the closure seals had been moved. One placed on a beachfront fence was taken down and two in the back of the property were relocated to the bottom of the gates and covered by planters.
According to Mendoza, the PDC administration did not order the removal of the closure seals.
Over the weekend, a resident of Playa Xcalacoco videoed large tubes running from the property toward the sea.
One tube was directed into a trench that had been dug and lined with plastic. A second tube was found running several meters down the beach in the sand and into the water.
A Sunday inspection by environmental officials confirmed the contaminated wastewater was being drained into the sea at two different points at Playa Xcalacoco.
A second tube was stretched for meters along the beach dispersing wastewater being emptied into the sea at Playa Xcalacoco.
Playa del Carmen Mayor Estefanía Mercado said her government “will not allow actions that damage the environment, that affect the natural surroundings and the tourism industry.”
The municipality of Playa del Carmen issued a statement after the site was closed.
According to the official City Council statement, the incident was being carried out during the early morning hours in the Federal Maritime Terrestrial Zone.
Inspectors from the Directorate of Regulations and Environmental Impact Assessment immediately went to the site along with Zofemat personnel to assess the situation.
Following the inspection, the illegal discharge of wastewater into the sea was confirmed, leading to the immediate suspension of work on the site with the placement of closure seals.
Furthermore, administrative proceedings were initiated to determine responsibility and apply the corresponding sanctions.
Mendoza says they are working with the Federal Attorney General for Environmental Protection (Profepa), who is also conducting its own investigation. Local authorities have not confirmed who owns the site responsible for emptying contaminated wastewater into the sea.
