by Ron Mader

The first time I visited Acapulco — for a Tianguis Turistico — I remarked to friends, ‘But where does the sewage go?’ Sure the scenery is beautiful, but the megaresort had failed to keep up with the necessary infrastructure to keep the waters in its crescent-shaped bay clean. Here’s a tidbit — National Water Commission Director Jose Luis Luege Tamargo explained that Acapulco generates 2,010 liters of sewage per second and only 15 per cent, some 310 liters per second, currently receive treatment.

Now the good news. Last week Mexican President Felipe Calderon launched a megaplan to clean up beaches on Acapulco Bay, one of the country’s main tourism attractions. Calderon said he would spend 440 million pesos over four years to improve sanitation services. The new investment will improve infrastructure and help to prevent flooding, particularly during hurricane season.