Holbox, Q.R. — The mayor of Lázaro Cárdenas says an investment of at least 1.5 billion pesos is needed for Holbox. The money, Mayor Nivardo Mena Villanueva, says, is for a much needed drainage infrastructure overhaul.
He says at least 1.5 billion pesos is required to develop a comprehensive drainage and wastewater management project on Isla Holbox. According to Mena Villanueva, accelerated growth has overwhelmed the current system.
Mena Villanueva says a project proposal has already been presented to Conagua (the National Water Commission), who are in the development stage.
If followed through, the large-scale project will require federal funding and support from non-governmental organizations since Holbox is considered a highly vulnerable coastal area of international interest.
The Comisión Nacional del Agua (Conagua) has announced 37 billion pesos in federally-backed funding for Quintana Roo infrastructure during 2026. The money is being divided up into the state’s 11 municipalities.
Erika Ramírez Méndez, the Quintana Roo Director of Conagua, said projects are backed by a federal investment earmarked for 2026, resources intended to guarantee sustainability and domestic supply in strict compliance with the recent reform to the National Water Law which includes municipalities investing their own resources.
One of the outstanding projects, she confirmed, is the rescue of the sanitary drainage system on the island of Holbox, a system that is insufficient for the demand.
“These water projects are being carried out in Holbox, as well as in Othón P. Blanco, in Benito Juárez and in all the municipalities since attention to this matter is very important,” Méndez said.
However, Mayor Nivardo Mena Villanueva acknowledged that although the project has been planned, there is still no set date for its implementation.
