Dear Scubaboarders,
This started just to be a comment on the landfill, but after deep thought with my love for Cozumel over the last three decades, I've expanded it to what I really think is going on.
First the (so calledsanitary landfill) is on the east side, just inland from the highway, about halfway from Rahstas to Mecalitos. I you have traveled the east side you probably have seen trash trucks pouring in.The good news, maybe, if the crap filters into the aquifer it will flow into the east side .
I also know that they do have a working sewage plant on the road to Isla Passion, although I have no idea if it is undersized, or if they have added capacity or actually made it modern treatment. As well, with growth in Cozumel city you cannot build a new house without connecting to the sewer.
As for the southern AI and Beach clubs, I suppose they do little since the sewer lines do not go that far. I suspect they are a bigger problem than the cruise ships for the water north of them. Is there some correlation that the problems become far worse just north of those places?
The problem there is that the result of such a stupid study may prove to the idiots, that it is the divers causing it…not the mega money facilities spewing out the filth and mainly controlled by the island's elite families/politicians. None of those facilities are owned by the mostly independent dive operators.
My real fear is that those in control will use this worthless test to blame it on divers instead of the real problem. It just may be a conspiracy of the powerful who don't give a damn about the reefs or thousands of poor islanders who feed their families through diving.
I'm just a small voice and at 73 about to retire but someone should perform an easily done, but complete inspection of the southern resorts water treatment. And/or test the water in front of each location. As others have disclosed at least some of them are known polluters—I suspect all are.
Good Luck, I pray for Cozumel and that the reefs will survive for my grand children.
Dave Dillehay
Aldora
PS If a Moderator think it worth its own thread, please do so