Mexico Beach Water Advisory

Due to industrial contamination, sewage, and unfavorable ocean currents, coastal seawater often contains high concentrations of unhealthy bacteria, known as “enterococci.” This bacteria is found in the feces of most humans and many animals. Among the most antibiotic-resistant bacteria isolated from humans, enterococci can commonly cause diarrhea, skin, ear, wound, and urinary tract infections, among other illnesses.

To reduce environmental and health risks and to generate public awareness, the Mexican Ministries of Health, Navy, Travel and Environment have collaborated to develop a system, in accordance with criteria set by the World Health Organization (WHO), to monitor the cleanliness of coastal seawater. According to the established criteria, seawater that exceeds 500 enterococci per 100 milliliters is considered a sanitary risk.

Monitoring efforts were initiated in 2003 for a targeted 181 recreational beaches in all 17 of Mexico’s coastal states. In the first trimester of 2004, according to federal reports, 20 of these 181 public beaches were determined to be a sanitary risk. To conform with the Transparency and Access to Government Information Act, this information is available to the public from the Secretary of the Environment’s website. It is, however, not yet available in English. Non-Spanish speakers concerned with the quality of beach water at their destination should contact the tourism department for updated reports, and avoid swimming in questionable waters.