Cozumel, Q.R. — After weeks of contamination accusations regarding the island’s waste water treatment plant, authorities say they will tour. Cozumel Mayor José Luis Chacón said he will tour the wastewater treatment plant to ensure transparency.
Over the past several weeks, there have been numerous accusations that the plant has been the source of environmental contamination.
Interviewed Friday on the island, Mayor Luis Chacón confirmed that the work tour will be carried out with the intention of operation transparency.
“What is the objective? For them to see the facilities and the investment that has already been made,” he said, referring to the recent upgrades made to the plant.
Former governor Carlos Joaquín has been blamed for the neglecting the treatment plant and the environmental impact it has generated in the area.
“Obviously after more than six years of neglect this plant can’t be taken care of overnight. The investment made by the state government under current Governor Mara Lezama and CAPA needs to be made visible,” he added.
He also reported that the tour will be led by him and Hugo Garza, the General Director of CAPA (Drinking Water and Sewerage Commission).
This announcement comes after the civil association Sélvame MX denounced the island’s San Miguelito plant for allegedly spilling sewage into the mangrove and contaminating Laguna Ciega with this waste.
According to this organization, during monitoring of the area, a foul and pervasive sewage odor was detected in the air along with large pools of green water and areas of dead mangrove.
They also said that water with a strong sewage smell was noted along with extensive areas covered with a whitish layer, possibly grease or oil. For these reasons, the environmental group called on citizens to speak out against this wastewater treatment facility.
The plant was put into operation in March of 2013. Last year, the state government invested in a capacity expansion project.
