Five hotels sanctioned this year for untreated water discharge

Cancun, Riviera Maya — Five hotels between Cancun, Puerto Morelos and Playa del Carmen have been sanctioned for dumping untreated water into the sea, according to Miguel Ángel Nadal Novelo, head of la Procuraduría de Protección al Ambiente (PPA).

Miguel Ángel Nadal Novelo, head of the State’s Office of Environmental Protection acknowledged that so far this year, five hotels from Cancun, Puerto Morelos and Playa del Carmen, have been sanctioned for pouring untreated water to the sea.

He added that when they receive a complaint about possible damage caused by hotel facilities or services located in the coastal area, they verify whether the complaint is real and if they have sufficient evidence to file a complaint with the Federation.

He acknowledged that the Federal Attorney for Environmental Protection (Profepa) has handled the cases they have been sent, and in many instances, the problem lies in pipes that have collapsed due to age and use.

Nadal Novelo stressed that Profepa is the one that ultimately applies the corresponding sanctions to those found in violation. He said that although it is not their jurisdiction to punish, they have followed up on complaints to verify that the damages have been repaired.

He says they have had meetings with the potable water concession company, Aguakán, to verify that its facilities and drainage network are also in good condition.