Residents of Chalco, Mexico are plagued by sewage floods

On September 14, 2024, in Chalco, Mexico. Floods infused with sewage have invaded the streets, houses and shops of Chalco, a low-income suburb southeast of Mexico City, for more than a month. Juana Salazar Segundo, 56, recalled that when the flood hit, the black water once rose to her navel. Now the water level has receded to her ankles, but there are still large black stains on the walls of her home.

More than 2,000 houses and more than 7,000 residents here are affected, and in some areas the water depth reaches 5 feet. Salazar uses four pumps to pump water day and night. Her hands and legs are discolored from contact with sewage. She complained that the drainage system had already collapsed, she couldn't work, and her daughter couldn't send her children to school.

Biologist Omar Arellano-Aguilar said that drainage failures and geological structures make this place vulnerable to floods. Chalco has developed rapidly since the late 1980s but lacks water and electricity infrastructure. Mexican President López Obrador downplayed the crisis and had no plans to visit. Although state governor Delfina Gómez visited several times, she did not respond to interview requests.

Local, state and federal officials are working in the area, lowering the water level, vaccinating residents and providing drinking water. Resident Oscar Martínez said that at the beginning of the flood, the government did not provide boots or protective clothing. Guadalupe Saray said that sewage brings health problems and many residents take preventive measures. Dozens of trucks are pumping water from the community. The water level has been reduced, and residents have begun to clean up debris and silt. The school principal is satisfied with the repairs, and the start of school has been postponed by two weeks. But Arellano-Aguilar doubts whether the remedial measures are effective and thinks that it is necessary to consider redirecting rainwater and learning to coexist with water.