PAHO Supports Santiago River Cleanup in Jalisco

The Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) will support Mexico’s efforts to address environmental and health challenges in the Santiago River basin through sanitation, environmental restoration, health surveillance, and improvements to water and sanitation services. The initiative comes as residents and activists continue to report persistent pollution despite years of government investment in wastewater infrastructure.

The Santiago River basin has been designated as a health and environmental emergency region, known locally as an “environmental hell” due to the severity of pollution affecting surrounding communities. PAHO/WHO conducted technical visits to the basin following a request from the Presidential Commission for the Sanitation and Restoration of the Santiago River, Jalisco authorities, municipalities, and community representatives.

“The objective of the technical mission was to directly understand the environmental, social and health conditions faced by communities and, based on this territorial assessment, strengthen response strategies through technical knowledge among institutions in the water, environment and health sectors, as well as explore mechanisms for cooperation and technical support from PAHO,” says Claudia Gomez, Commissioner for the Restoration and Sanitation of the Lerma-Santiago River Basin.

The mission was led by Daniel Buss, Head, PAHO/WHO’s Climate Change and Environmental Determinants of Health Unit in Washington, along with Mónica Guardo, International Adviser on Communicable Diseases and Environmental Determinants, and PAHO/WHO’s Mexico technical team.

PAHO will prioritize Climate-Resilient Water and Sanitation Safety Plans to identify hazards and vulnerabilities and establish measures to reduce risks. The organization will also evaluate water, sanitation, hygiene and waste management services at health facilities, strengthen environmental health surveillance and provide technical training on environmental and climate-related health risks.

“In a region with challenges of this magnitude, it is essential to work in an integrated, intersectoral manner and with broad participation from civil society, so that the health of all people is at the center of sanitation and restoration actions,” Buss says.

Investment and pollution concerns

The new cooperation follows years of public investment. The Jalisco government’s “Revivamos al Río Santiago” (Let Us Revive the Santiago River) program allocated more than MX$7 billion (US$413.02 million) to construct and expand 20 wastewater treatment plants and address health impacts. Authorities reported that 75% of wastewater was being treated.

CONAGUA has also said more than MX$1 billion was invested in hydraulic infrastructure in Jalisco during 2025 and 2026 for drinking water supply and sanitation. However, residents and activists question whether these investments have produced measurable improvements.

Residents of the area reported that the severity of the situation varies. Recent rains have also increased visible foam at the river’s waterfall, while residents report brown water and persistent sulfur-like odors.

Alán Carmona, Activist, Un Salto de Vida organization, says industrial discharges remain a central concern after years of community complaints and scientific evidence. “The river remains just as polluted or ‘in worse situations because the territory has been accumulating a very toxic contaminant load that, although there are new domestic wastewater treatment plants and there has been a reduction in agroindustrial production, which translates into less pollutant loading, its presence has doubled,” he adds.

Carmona calls for stronger monitoring, inspections, and sanctions against industries that discharge untreated or inadequately treated wastewater into the river.