Mexico City To Develop Eco-Tourism Project in Tlahuac-Xico Lake
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Mexico City To Develop Eco-Tourism Project in Tlahuac-Xico Lake

Photo by:   Valentin Salja
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Fernando Mares By Fernando Mares | Journalist & Industry Analyst - Mon, 08/29/2022 - 14:53

Mexico City’s authorities identified an opportunity to develop an ecotourism project in the east of Mexico City, which will also have the potential to supply water to Iztapalapa, Tlahuac and the State of Mexico.

Mexico City Mayor Claudia Sheinbaum announced that in the future, the city could have an eco-tourist attraction comparable to the popular Valle de Bravo in the State of Mexico: the Xico-Tlahuac lake. According to Sheinbaum, the project would also be able to distribute water for agriculture, restore local ecosystems and reduce water shortages for Tlahuac, Iztapalapa, Valle de Chalco and Nezahualcoyotl. Sheinbaum said the project was already approved by the National Water Commission (CONAGUA), as well as authorities from Mexico City and the State of Mexico.

She added that 20 years ago, the Tlahuac-Xico lake did not yet exist. It materialized as a consequence of the sinking and overexploitation of water reserves. The body of water was created by floods. Sheinbaum said that her administration saw an opportunity to transform it into a project that will help the city guarantee access to clean water and help prevent floods. “It is not an easy project, it relies on science and technique. It is a benefit that we have the population’s consent,” said Sheinbaum.

The project consists of water treatment technology installed through wetlands, which means that the sanitization will be carried out using natural means. Authorities explained that the water will be treated with algae first and then move on to machines. This process will allow the city to reduce costs in the operation and maintenance of water treatment plants and treat over 1.2m³/s. The project will need US$200.7 million to develop the required infrastructure to store water and distribute it, as well as to construct the eco-tourist project. In addition, over 250 families need to be relocated. The authorities plan to make the lake 6m deeper to avoid floods, too.

The project was presented by Elaine Burns, Deputy Director General for Water Management, CONAGUA. Burns said that people should change the paradigm surrounding water use and strive to recover polluted water. She added that there will be two treatment plants in Tlahuac and Valle de Chalco that will jointly treat 750L/s. “[We] are conducting studies in wetlands and eliminating contaminants there. [Polluted water] will stay there for six months, where it will be cleansed and then taken to treatment plants.”
 

Photo by:   Valentin Salja

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