El Salto investigated for illegal waste discharge into Río Santiago

Authorities in Jalisco have launched investigations into the illegal discharge of waste into the Río Santiago basin. The Jalisco State Water Commission (CEA) and the State Environmental Protection Agency (PROEPA) filed criminal complaints with the Federal Attorney General's Office (FGR) against the municipality of El Salto following an incident on September 15 in the La Azucena neighborhood. The reports indicate that a vacuum truck was used to discharge wastewater, sludge, or potentially toxic chemical and biochemical liquids into a channel connected to the river.

Federal agencies, including CONAGUA and PROFEPA, have joined the investigation to determine environmental damage and legal responsibilities. Officials noted that the discharge could impact water quality for the Guadalajara Metropolitan Area. Some authorities have suggested the possibility of investigating the incident as ecocide.

This legal action follows broader concerns regarding the Lerma-Santiago Basin. Technical studies have identified critical levels of heavy metals and carcinogenic substances—including cadmium, chromium, nickel, mercury, and lead—in the region. These pollutants have been linked to high health risks and chronic kidney disease in several municipalities, including El Salto, Poncitlán, and Juanacatlán.