Mexico authorities announce measures to combat Atoyac River pollution

The Mexican federal and state governments have announced a reinforced strategy to rescue the Atoyac River, aiming for full sanitation by 2030. Led by Puebla Governor Alejandro Armenta Mier and aligned with President Claudia Sheinbaum’s directives, the plan includes stricter surveillance and severe sanctions for polluters, including public authorities and industrial sectors.

Key actions involve the installation of biodigestors, the construction of four new treatment plants, and a projected investment of over 265 million pesos by 2027 to reuse treated water for 1,450 hectares of agricultural and forest land. The Federal Attorney for Environmental Protection (PROFEPA) has already conducted 79 inspections, resulting in 13 industrial closures.

To enhance monitoring, a surveillance center will be linked to C4 and C5 security systems. Authorities emphasized that companies found discharging irregular waste will be required to repair environmental damage in addition to facing fines.