PINSA: First Company in Mexico to Neutralize Water Footprint

Food processor PINSA signed a collaboration agreement with the National Forestry Commission (CONAFOR) and the community of La Noria to protect 1,375ha of tropical forest for five years, becoming the first company in Mexico to neutralize its water footprint through watershed conservation.

The protected area naturally produces a volume of water equivalent to the company’s annual consumption. The initiative focuses on safeguarding the Presidio River basin, which supplies Mazatlan and surrounding communities.

"Protecting the Presidio River basin not only secures water for our operations but also for an entire region. It is a strategic, ethical, and necessary decision for the future of Mazatlan. This agreement reflects our real and tangible commitment to the environment. It is not only about compensating but about regenerating and protecting the sources of life we share with the communities," said Víctor Manuel Ledón, General Director, Grupo Pinsa.

The calculation of PINSA’s water footprint and the technical assessment of the conservation strategy were conducted by Conselva, Costas y Comunidades A.C., which will also act as a technical advisor for the program. The analysis determined that the area to be preserved plays a strategic role in the recharge and production of water for the Presidio River, by feeding one of its main tributaries before reaching the Siqueros diversion plant.

The agreement was formalized under a Local Payment for Environmental Services Mechanism With Concurrent Funds, the largest approved in Sinaloa in 2025. This model brings together the public, private, and social sectors to address water scarcity through science-based, collaborative actions.

"This scheme is very valuable because it brings together the government, the productive sector, civil society, and communities to protect jungles, forests, and mangroves in different parts of the country. In the case of Mazatlan, this mechanism is key to securing ecosystem services in a city facing a prolonged drought," said Joanna Acosta, Sinaloa’s State Delegate, CONAFOR.

The La Noria community, located near the conservation area, will directly benefit from the mechanism by receiving payments for maintaining its territory and engaging in activities such as reforestation, soil restoration, community surveillance, and wildfire prevention brigades. These efforts aim to improve water production in the micro-basin, supporting Mazatlan’s long-term water security.

The program also addresses the severe water stress affecting the region. According to data from Conselva, surface water availability in the Presidio River has declined by 56.6% over the past 13 years, while its aquifer records an annual deficit of 22.10hm3 (hectometers cubed), placing it among the most overexploited water systems in Sinaloa.

This joint effort sets a new model for water management by integrating science, business investment, and community action. Stakeholders emphasized that this approach positions Sinaloa as a national benchmark in implementing nature-based solutions to secure water resources, restore ecosystems, and strengthen the communities that depend on them.