Overview
Poligono Sur wastewater treatment plant serves approximately 35,000 people in Cancún, Quintana Roo, Mexico. It is located within 50 km of the coast, discharging into the Caribbean Sea watershed.
Poligono Sur is a wastewater treatment plant located in Cancún, Quintana Roo, Mexico, serving an estimated population of 35,122. The plant is situated in the Benito Juárez district, near the Caribbean coast, and plays a key role in managing municipal wastewater for this major tourist destination. As a plant in Mexico, Poligono Sur operates under the national water quality regulations enforced by CONAGUA (Comisión Nacional del Agua). For agglomerations of this size, Mexican standards typically require secondary treatment to protect receiving waters, especially in environmentally sensitive coastal zones. Regulatory expectations for similar facilities in Quintana Roo emphasize nutrient removal to safeguard the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef. The treated effluent from Poligono Sur ultimately discharges into the Caribbean Sea via local drainage channels. The receiving waters are part of the Yucatán Peninsula's karstic aquifer system, which is highly vulnerable to contamination. Downstream, the Caribbean Sea supports diverse marine ecosystems, including coral reefs and seagrass beds that are critical for regional biodiversity and tourism.
Environmental context
Poligono Sur discharges into the Caribbean Sea watershed via local drainage in Cancún. The receiving waters are part of the Yucatán Peninsula's karstic aquifer system, which is highly permeable and susceptible to nutrient pollution. Downstream, the Caribbean Sea supports ecologically sensitive coral reefs and seagrass habitats that are vital for marine biodiversity and the local economy.
Frequently asked questions
Poligono Sur is located in Cancún, Quintana Roo, Mexico, specifically in the Benito Juárez district near Avenida XelHa.
Poligono Sur serves approximately 35,122 people in the Cancún area.
The treated effluent from Poligono Sur is discharged into the Caribbean Sea via local drainage channels in the Yucatán Peninsula's karstic aquifer system.
Poligono Sur helps protect the Caribbean Sea watershed, including the coastal waters and marine ecosystems near Cancún, by treating municipal wastewater before discharge.
Poligono Sur operates under Mexico's national water quality standards enforced by CONAGUA. For agglomerations of ~35,000 people, secondary treatment is typically required, especially in coastal areas like Quintana Roo to protect sensitive marine environments.
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