On July 10, 2024, a consortium of companies led by Liquidtek signed a contract for the construction, equipment, commissioning, operation, and maintenance of the Caribe 2000 Wastewater Treatment Plant (PTAR) in the Municipality of Benito Juárez, Quintana Roo (Cancún). This significant project was signed with Desarrollos Hidráulicos de Cancún (Aguakan), which has held the concession since 1994 to operate public water services, sewerage, and sanitation in the municipalities of Benito Juárez (Cancún), Isla Mujeres, Puerto Morelos, and Solidaridad (Playa del Carmen) in Quintana Roo.

New PTAR Caribe 2000 in Central Cancún
Aguakan currently operates a total of 14 PTARs across the four municipalities, with nine located in Cancún. The PTAR Caribe 2000 will be located in the central area of Benito Juárez, replacing the plant that has been in operation since 1993. This new plant will have an initial capacity of 225 liters per second in its first phase, with the potential to expand up to 450 liters per second in the future.

Designed to meet the environmental regulations NOM-001-SEMARNAT-2021, this plant will significantly contribute to protecting the environment and safeguarding the health of the region’s inhabitants, who have experienced notable growth due to intense tourism activity.

Consortium Led by Liquidtek Wins the Project
This contract resulted from a long and detailed bidding process, initiated by Aguakan in March 2023. Given the complexity of the project and the strict requirements for participation, a consortium of companies was necessary to complement Liquidtek’s capabilities and experience. The strategic alliance was formed with two Mexican companies: Latinoamericana Agua y Medio Ambiente (Latinoamericana) and Ingeniería de Sistemas Sanitarios y Ambientales (ISSASA).

Of the 10 companies that registered for the bid, only three submitted proposals. Ultimately, the consortium led by Liquidtek won the project by proposing a superior technological solution, with lower investment and operational costs, while meeting all legal, financial, and experience requirements.

Innovative Technology Applied to the PTAR Caribe 2000
The PTAR Caribe 2000 will stand out for its technological innovation. The treatment process includes:

• Pre-treatment: Removal of sands and solids.
• Anaerobic Upflow Reactor (RAFA): Elimination of organic matter.
• Activated Sludge Reactor: Aerobic removal of organic matter.
• Secondary Clarifier: Removal of coarse solids.
• Tertiary Filtration System: Removal of fine solids.
• Ultraviolet Light Disinfection System.
• Mechanical Sludge Thickening and Dewatering System.

The replacement of the primary clarifier with a RAFA results in lower sludge production and reduced electricity consumption, which reduces operational costs and benefits the sustainability of the project.

Project Schedule and Transitional Operation
The schedule establishes a 16-month period for the construction, equipment, and commissioning of the plant, followed by a 12-month transitional operation and maintenance phase. To manage the project, the consortium companies formed the special purpose company Aguas Tratadas de Cancún (ATC) | HaTek, which signed the contract with Aguakan.

Since the contract signing, ATC | HaTek has carried out various key activities, including:

• Confirmatory studies: Including topography, soil mechanics, and characterization of wastewater.
• Detailed engineering of the project.
• Management of local authorizations, permits, and registrations.
• Financing structuring.

These tasks are expected to be completed by October 2024, allowing construction to begin before the end of the year.

Environmental Impact and Benefits for Liquidtek
This new project represents a significant advance for Liquidtek in its diversification strategy towards the municipal wastewater treatment plant market. With the PTAR Caribe 2000, Liquidtek reinforces its commitment to the recovery and preservation of water resources, environmental protection, and the improvement of the health of the inhabitants of Quintana Roo.