Greenpeace Report Identifies Fecal Contamination in Yucatan’s Drinking Water Sources

Faecal bacteria are contaminating water in wells and sinkholes across Mexico’s Yucatan state, which serve as critical sources of drinking water, according to a new report by Greenpeace, the global environmental organization.

The report, released on Tuesday, identifies nearby pig farms and municipal wastewater as likely contributors to the pollution in the southeastern coastal region.

“A range of chemical and microbiological indicators reveal a complex mosaic of severe, localized organic pollution,” the report states.

Greenpeace is urging an immediate halt to new industrial livestock operations and farm expansions in the peninsular state, historically home to the ancient Maya civilization.

With no above-ground rivers, groundwater is the Yucatan’s sole freshwater source, and its porous limestone bedrock allows pollutants to rapidly infiltrate the aquifer.

Laboratory Findings

The environmental watchdog group commissioned independent testing at 17 locations near the state capital, Merida, in August. The sites included household and farm wells, community water points, and cenotes—natural sinkholes that are significant tourist attractions on the Yucatan Peninsula.

According to the report, all samples tested showed varying degrees of faecal contamination, with several sites classified as heavily polluted. Total coliform bacteria reached the test’s upper threshold in 16 of 17 samples, while faecal coliforms did so in 13.

However, the tests cannot determine whether contamination originated from human or animal waste, though leaking septic systems and municipal sewage are also potential contributors.

Greenpeace reports that pig-specific DNA marker testing (Pig2Bac) confirmed the presence of pig faecal matter in samples analyzed at Johns Hopkins University and Mexico’s National Autonomous University (UNAM). The findings raise “critical accountability questions” regarding nearby pig farms.

Mayan communities have joined Greenpeace in urging environmental authorities to address the contamination.

Industrial Pig Farms

A July UN report revealed over 500 industrial pig farms in Yucatan state, each housing more than 50,000 animals, many located near Indigenous Peoples’ territories. Former UN special rapporteur Marcos Orellana noted that waste and chemicals from these farms “find their way very quickly” into water sources used by communities for bathing, cooking, and drinking. He emphasized that most farms lack required permits and that regional initiatives remain inadequate.

“The contamination of waters that have sustained Mayan culture for millennia is predominantly coming from industrial animal farming operations,” Orellana stated.

Antonio Zumarraga, vice president of the Yucatan Citizen Scientific Water Observatory, defended the local pork industry, citing investments in water treatment and conservation efforts, while blaming local authorities for their inaction. “It’s an issue that, as long as it doesn’t carry political weight for the government, they won’t do anything about it,” Zumarraga said.

The Yucatan state government declined to comment, and Mexico’s national water commission, CONAGUA, did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Merida’s Association of Pig Farmers also did not respond to inquiries.

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