Flood Disaster in Puebla: Urgent Call from the Chamber of Architects for Drainage System

An important warning has been issued regarding the recent flood disasters that have negatively affected the Historic City Center in the city of Puebla, the capital of the Puebla state in Mexico. The College of Architects of the Puebla Valley (Cavapac) claimed that one of the main causes of these floods is the lack of adequate maintenance of the drainage system by Agua de Puebla, the local water management company. Institution president Raúl Martínez Oliver explicitly stated that the sewage and rainwater drainage network located in the first rural area of the city center has been neglected. Martínez Oliver emphasized that the company responsible for the drainage system must fulfill this fundamental duty and that regular inspection of the system is mandatory. Authorities foresee that the city will continue to face the same problems during every heavy rainfall as long as these simple but vital maintenance steps are not taken.

Important statements were made, holding not only the authorities but also the city residents responsible for solving the problem. The president of the Chamber of Architects stated that the public needs to be more sensitive about properly managing their waste and garbage. This is because a large portion of the trash thrown into the streets is swept into gutters and drainage lines along with rainwater. This situation causes the already unmaintained systems to become completely clogged, resulting in water backing up and turning the streets into rivers. Martínez Oliver reminded that every flood event in the city means severe loss of income for shopkeepers, cessation of commercial activities, and direct damage to residential properties in the Historic City Center. It seems essential to take permanent steps rather than temporary solutions to break this negative cycle.

It is stated that the current problem stems not only from a superficial lack of maintenance but also from a profound inadequacy in structural design. In this context, Cavapac is conducting a comprehensive technical study proposing the gradual and complete replacement of the drainage network in the city center to address the root of the problem. The main objective of this study is to modernize the old underground infrastructure, which can no longer meet the city's needs, to comply with modern standards. The detailed technical report prepared will be officially submitted to the Puebla state government and the Puebla municipality. The report will emphasize that rainwater and domestic wastewater must be collected in separate channels to prevent the system from being overloaded. Authorities demand that this study be considered the starting point of a master plan and be transformed into urgent action.

It was reported that the ongoing technical research is continuously updated in light of current data, such as the change in precipitation regimes in the region in recent years and the actual capacity of the underground infrastructure. The President of Cavapac pointed out that this comprehensive file should not remain merely a diagnostic or complaint document. Instead, he stated that they aim for it to serve as a catalyst to initiate concrete construction and infrastructure projects within specified timeframes against the identified problems. He added that the city must not only grow but also attain a resilient, durable, and competitive structure against natural disasters. Otherwise, he warned that every rainy season would mean a major economic and social crisis for the city. For this reason, making deep and large-budget investments in the drainage infrastructure of the Historic City Center is seen as an inevitable necessity.

Cavapac, which has closely monitored the city's urban development since its establishment, is working to collaborate with various government units to improve the overall appearance and livability of Puebla. President Martinez Oliver argued that conducting a coordinated effort among different levels of administration is the most effective way to permanently solve the infrastructure problems in the city. He expressed that the success of such large-scale infrastructure projects relies on the joint will of local governments, state authorities, and civil society organizations. Among the details highlighted was that following the recent floods, an investment of 56 million pesos is planned for the cleaning of 27 different valleys and riverbeds in the region. Experts believe that such cleaning activities alone will not be sufficient and must be supported by the renovation of the main lines. The people of Puebla and local businesses hope that these comprehensive measures to be taken will protect the city against potential future disasters.