With the aim of promoting initiatives with solutions based on nature, the Governor of Jalisco and directors of the Coca Cola company led the inauguration of an artificial wetland built to naturally treat water.
It will treat the urban water of the Jaliscan community of Cihuatlán, benefitting more than 18,000 inhabitants. It is the first of four wetlands to be built in the country, as part of the comprehensive strategy of the Mexican Coca-Cola Industry that seeks to promote community access to clean water, through a total investment of 170 million pesos.
The Cihuatlán wetland will have the capacity to treat more than 3 million liters of urban water per day, which is equivalent to filling more than 600 water pipes each day with a capacity of 5,000 liters each. Similarly, the treated liquid will be used to feed a 780 m² agroforestry production nursery, which has the capacity to house 50,000 forest, ornamental and fruit plants.
It is a phytotreatment or biofiltration system, a system designed for the purification of wastewater that is inspired by the interactions and physical, chemical, and biological processes of a natural wetland. In a space of just over 18,000 square meters of biofiltration surface, this constructed wetland is one of the largest in Latin America. It is the first of four in the country, and will contribute to the sanitation of wastewater in Cihuatlán, as well as to the improvement in the quality of the Marabasco river.
The project has been executed by Pronatura, and uses environmentally friendly technology. It uses ornamental plants to eliminate bacteria and odors, disinfects the water with ultraviolet light, and allows the resulting water to be used in productive projects, such as irrigation of cultivation nurseries and sale of flowers, which represent an economic income for the sustenance of some Mexican families.
The Governor of Jalisco, Enrique Alfaro, affirmed that the wetland project is a national example, since it pursues the same goals that the Government of Jalisco promotes through the environmental agenda, which is aimed at preserving natural resources, sustainability, and with the fulfillment of Jalisco's commitments before the international community with the Paris Agreement.
“We have always had an ally in Arca Continental, and I am pleased today to see this spectacular project that will undoubtedly become a national benchmark, the first wetland of this size in Mexico, but it will surely be important that it shows the commitment of the Government of Jalisco the agenda of caring for our environmental capital, ”explained the president.
Enrique Pérez Barba, director of Arca Continental Mexico, highlighted the importance of continuing to join efforts between industry, government, and civil society to generate projects that benefit the community.
“With the inauguration of the wetland, we are taking another step to bring clean water to Mexicans. For Arca Continental and those of us who are part of the Mexican Coca-Cola Industry, the most important thing is people, and we will continue to create joint projects that benefit communities and their quality of life,” said the businessman.
Sergio Londoño, Director of Public Affairs, Communication and Sustainability for Coca-Cola México, reiterated that this project is part of the company's objective to continue returning to nature more than 100% of the water it uses in the production of their products.
“We have an important commitment to people and the planet. We continue to strengthen our value chain to improve the quality and quantity of water in the country, promoting responsible management of the resource and activating collective actions for the restoration and modernization of infrastructure for the conservation of ecosystems.”