Water management can help protect reefs

While the Mexican Caribbean does not experience shortages in fresh water, given the abundance in cenotes, water quality becomes more and more of a concern, especially its impact on the coral reefs. The water management practices of Maho Bay eco-resorts in the U.S. Virgin Islands may be worth using more broadly along Mexico's coast:

Spring action faucets and showers prevent waste. Low-flush toilets save up to 3 gallons per flush. Our first clean and odor-free waterless urinals, made by The Waterless Company, were installed in 1997. We save 12,000 to 15,000 gallons per year with this new technology. We carefully monitor water use every day. Running toilets (a common problem) can drain as much as 2,000 gallons of water a day. At Maho Bay Camps, we ask our guests to shower only during certain times of the day to distribute the demand.

Wastewater is pumped into a large aeration tank. Here, nature's own bacteria break down and separate the solids. The system uses a process designed by the Santec Corporation specifically for our small capacity. The entire system uses gravity reducing back ups. Sifting and chlorinating leave a clear liquid ready for reuse in our organic orchard and garden.