Las Glorias flooding persists after sewage stoppage

Seapal stopped sewage discharges and addressed the sewage-water problem in streets across Versalles, Díaz Ordaz and Zona Hotelera Las Glorias in northern Puerto Vallarta. The response followed 13 intermittent days in which Viena, Hamburgo, Milán, Niza, Havre, Palm Spring and Liverpool streets became streams of foul-smelling untreated water. Recent rains from the natural phenomena Polo and Rachel affected Seapal’s operations, while high tide raised water levels. Seapal personnel have been working to resolve the situation at the Planta de Tratamiento de Aguas Residuales Norte 1 and the pumping equipment. On Tuesday afternoon, Seapal stopped the sewage discharges and cleaned the affected areas. It disinfected the places where sewage had spilled by washing them with tanker trucks and applying sodium hypochlorite. The problem is currently resolved. The situation began to improve because of the work carried out. Seapal overcame the problem. Flooding at Las Glorias beach is being prolonged by the blocked stormwater drain. Semarnat has not allowed Obras Públicas and Seapal personnel to open the sand blocking the stormwater drain at Las Glorias beach. Semarnat says the situation is not an emergency. “Semarnat cannot act contrary to a regulation.” “All the rainwater became stagnant.” “The pooled water has become contaminated after being stagnant for so many days.” The channels remain high, making it difficult for Seapal to pump the water with its pumping wells. “Seapal’s plants can treat only a certain capacity of water.” “There are no outlets to the sea for the rainwater system.” The situation could recur when new rains arrive. “Civil Protection informed Seapal that a hurricane would return in the coming days.” “The returning hurricane would raise the tide again.”