Mexico

 General Information

In Quintana Roo, water resources are particularly vulnerable due to the porous limestone geology of the Yucatán Peninsula. Groundwater and cenotes sustain communities, tourism, and ecosystems, but are threatened by rapid development, insufficient wastewater treatment, and diffuse pollution. Protecting these fragile systems requires both stronger regulation and locally adapted solutions that address cultural, social, and environmental realities. 

Through GEF CReW+, Mexico carried out several actions to improve governance, financing, and community-based management. At the national level, the project conducted an analysis of wastewater treatment plants (PTARs) in Quintana Roo to ensure compliance with the updated NOM-001 standard, supporting the alignment of infrastructure with stricter effluent quality requirements. It also developed the Community Water Governance Strategy (EGHC), fostering greater participation of local actors in water and sanitation management. On financing, CReW+ identified options to make water and sanitation investments more sustainable, including mechanisms that can strengthen long-term operation and maintenance. At the local level, the project implemented ecotechnologies in four Maya communities, introducing practical systems for water collection, treatment, and reuse adapted to rural contexts. To ensure sustainability, training was provided to the water committees of three communities, building local capacity to operate and maintain the systems. 

Together, these activities strengthened the policy framework, improved compliance with environmental standards, and demonstrated community-led approaches that can support integrated water and wastewater management in vulnerable areas of Quintana Roo.