Pollution

According to Mexico’s National Water Commission (CNA), only 8% of the water in Lake Chapala is considered “acceptable.” The remaining 92% is either moderately or highly polluted.

	Highly Contaminated
	Moderately Polluted
	Acceptable

Lake Chapala’s water contains high levels of E. Coli bacteria, from domestic waste. It also contains agricultural chemicals such as DDT, along with heavy metals that include copper, lead, chromium, zinc, and arsenic from industrial sites. One study of the discharges of nine water plants emptying directly into the lake found phosphorus levels 74 times higher than the USEPA standard.

Also, the Lerma-Chapala basin receives more municipal discharge in volume than any other hydrological system in Mexico.

Many of the existing sewage treatment plants, such as the one in this photo, either don’t work or are very inefficient.

Pollutant Levels in the Lake

Effects of the Pollution

Documentation of the pollutants’ effects on the ecosystem has been difficult to obtain.  However, the following photos provide some evidence.

Deformed Fish

Victims of Pollution

The big question is:

What will happen to the children???