Regional initiatives address water access and plastic waste

In Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, municipal authorities and the water utility Seapal have installed a new drinking fountain at Secundaria Técnica 3 in the Palo Seco neighborhood. Mayor Luis Ernesto Munguía González and Seapal director Carlos Ruiz led the ceremony, stating the project aims to promote natural water consumption among students and reduce the intake of sugary beverages.

In the Dominican Republic, an initiative led by National District Mayor Carolina Mejía has collected 16.5 million plastic bottles in exchange for school supplies. While the program helps families and reduces litter in streets and rivers like the Ozama, observers note that collection alone is insufficient. There are calls for broader public policies to reduce single-use plastics and increase industry responsibility to prevent microplastic pollution in marine ecosystems.