According to a study carried out by the the Federal Commission for the Protection against Sanitary Risk (COFEPRIS), Rio Lagartos is among the country’s 10 most polluted beaches. The agency conducted a seawater analysis on 267 beaches in the 17 coastal states of Mexico, between June 19 – 28. Main touristic destinations in the country were included in this analysis as COFEPRIS wanted to ensure there was not a risk to locals’ nor visitors’ health.
Nonethless, despite the efforts made to boost tourism in Río Lagartos, it is evident the lack of cleanliness in the port; whereever you put a foot on its boardwalk, you will find litter and discarded food; its freshwater lagoon is dirty and a greenish liquid can be seen in it. These are all issues that tourists constantly complain about.
Río Lagartos beach among the most polluted in the country
Photo: SIPSE
The aforementioned study measured the amount of Enterococcus faecalis bacteria in the water, since it comes from human and animal feces. Pollution limits are set in units of microorganisms per 100 milliliters. From 0 to 200 enterococcus per 100 milliliters does not pose a threat to people, while the number being greater than 200, it becomes a life-threatening risk.
Fortunately, no Yucatecan beach exceeded the limit of 200 enterococcus. However, Río Lagartos beach obtained an index of 159 NMP / 100 milliliters, positioning this touristic destination in the Top 10 most polluted beaches in México.
SOURCE: SIPSE
