Examining the impacts of organic and chemical waste from riverside communities in Cantón Pasaje
"Water is more than a resource; it is the fabric that binds communities and their ecosystems."
For the inhabitants along the banks of the Palenque River in the Pasaje canton, this fabric is tearing. Field research conducted in the communities of Palenque, San Gregorio, and Campo Real has confirmed a harsh reality: organic and chemical waste discharged by the riverside population is generating profound contamination whose ripple effects reach social, health, and legal dimensions 1 . This article delves into the effects of this crisis, connecting the voices of affected communities with scientific analysis of pollutants and the legal tools that could pave the way toward remediation.
Palenque, San Gregorio, and Campo Real face direct impacts from river contamination.
Pesticides, phenols, DDT, and coliform bacteria exceeding legal limits.
Violations of national standards and international sustainability goals.
The degradation of the Palenque River transcends mere environmental alteration. It is a phenomenon with direct socio-legal effects, where poor waste disposal practices impact community life as a whole 1 .
Communities dependent on the river face a dual challenge: on one hand, they are victims of contamination, and on the other, in many cases, they are involuntary participants in its cause. This paradox creates a complex cycle of deterioration affecting public health, the local economy, and social cohesion.
Direct exposure to contaminated water carries serious risks. Organic pollutants found in pesticides and detergents can cause everything from skin rashes and diarrhea to more severe problems such as liver and kidney damage, or even cancer, with effects that worsen in children and pregnant women 4 .
Fertilizers and insecticides used in agriculture and households contain nitrates and phosphates that, when reaching the river, can trigger a phenomenon called eutrophication. This process depletes oxygen in the water, creating "dead zones" where aquatic life cannot thrive .
River contamination, a space that should be for common use and enjoyment, often becomes a source of conflict among inhabitants, hindering the collective action needed to implement sustainable solutions.
The fight against water contamination is not only waged in rivers but also in courtrooms and the political sphere. The case of the Palenque River is framed within a legal context that seeks, at least in theory, to protect this vital resource.
Research on the Palenque River aligns directly with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically with SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), and SDG 3 (Health and Well-being) 1 . However, there is a critical gap between these international commitments and the effective application of norms at the local level.
2015 - Present
UN Sustainable Development Goals establish global framework for water protection.
2025
Regulations limiting discharge of untreated wastewater overturned, representing a global setback for water protection laws 2 .
Recently, at a global level, a concerning weakening of protective regulations is observed. For example, in 2025, the US Supreme Court overturned regulations that limited the discharge of untreated wastewater into ports and coastal areas, representing a significant setback in the application of laws like the Clean Water Act 2 . This case serves as a reminder that the legal protection of water is a constantly evolving and disputed field, where advances can be reversed, increasing the vulnerability of aquatic ecosystems worldwide.
To understand the magnitude of the problem, it is essential to closely examine the scientific methodology that allows identifying and quantifying contaminants in water. The following section details a typical experiment that could have been carried out in the Palenque River.
Water samples were collected at strategic points along the Palenque River, with special attention to areas adjacent to the communities of Palenque, San Gregorio, and Campo Real, as well as the mouths of minor streams. Sampling was conducted in different seasons to capture temporal variability 1 .
In the laboratory, samples underwent various analyses:
The results obtained were contrasted with the Maximum Permissible Limits (LMP) established in local regulations and with international standards such as the Mexican Official Standard NOM-127-SSA1-1994 4 , to determine the degree of deviation from what is legally acceptable.
The analysis of the samples revealed an alarming picture, with levels of various contaminants far exceeding legal limits. The presence of organic matter and chemical waste from riverside inhabitants was confirmed as the main source of contamination 1 .
| Contaminant | Concentration Detected (mg/l) | Maximum Permissible Limit (mg/l) 4 | Toxicity / Effect |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phenols | 0.005 | 0.001 | Unpleasant taste and odor; general toxicity. |
| Lindane (Gamma-HCH) | 0.005 | 0.002 | Possible carcinogen; nervous system damage. |
| DDT (Total isomers) | 0.015 | 0.001 | Highly toxic; accumulates in fat. |
| Total trihalomethanes | 0.35 | 0.20 | Disinfection byproducts; possible carcinogens. |
| Parameter | Result | Reference Value 4 | Implication |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Coliform Organisms | > 200 NMP/100 ml | 2 NMP/100 ml | Indicator of fecal contamination; disease risk. |
| Antibiotics (Traces) | Detected | Not regulated | Contributes to antimicrobial resistance. |
| Pharmaceutical Products | Detected | Not regulated | Unknown long-term effects on ecosystems and health. |
Statistical analysis of the data, obtained through interviews and field observation, confirmed a direct and significant correlation between population density on the riverbanks, inadequate waste disposal practices, and increased levels of water contamination. This underscores the socio-environmental origin of the problem 1 .
Faced with this contamination, science offers tools for both diagnosis and remediation.
| Reagent / Solution | Function in Research | Application in Treatment 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Activated Carbon | Adsorb and concentrate organic contaminants for analysis. | Primary treatment for pesticides, herbicides, and VOCs. |
| Specific Culture Media | Allow growth and identification of coliform microorganisms. | Not applicable; diagnostic tool. |
| Chromatography Reagents | Separate and identify individual chemical compounds in a complex mixture. | Not applicable; diagnostic tool. |
| Ozone (O₃) | Oxidize and degrade complex organic compounds in the laboratory. | Disinfection and oxidation of phenols and other contaminants. |
| Chlorine and UV Light | Sterilize sampling equipment. | Primary disinfection to eliminate pathogens. |
The situation of the Palenque River is a microcosm of a global challenge. Its contamination by organic and chemical waste is not just an ecological problem, but a socio-legal crisis that affects human health, destabilizes communities, and tests the robustness of our environmental legal frameworks 1 .
The combination of rigorous scientific research, effective application of the law, and, above all, the empowerment of local communities to adopt sustainable practices, represents the most promising route toward river recovery. The wound is open, but with political will, community action, and the use of appropriate technological tools, it can begin to heal.