A striking initiative has begun to unfold in Mexico. They use **eggshells to “clean”** the contaminated Lerma River.
The idea, led by the association **H2O Lerma con Encanto**, is supported by collectives and citizens from different regions.
It took them a year of efforts and they use **tons of material**. How this product is used.
## Eggshells to clean the river: the novel initiative in Mexico
From the collection of the shells to their processing and transportation, **thousands of volunteers participated**, as reported by local media.
The use of eggshells for **water sanitation** has scientific support. At a treatment plant in Jocotitlán, this technique allowed compliance with the environmental standard **NOM-0021 of Semarnat**.
**Among the benefits, they mention that it helps reduce operational costs, decreases pumping times, and allows water reuse** for irrigation.
While complete and successful sanitation requires the will and contribution of different actors in the system, undoubtedly the initiative will yield results.
“I trust that it can be achieved,” stated **Elvia Evangelina Arias Ortega, head of the NGO.** “If President **Claudia Sheinbaum** is publicly stating that she will work on this, I cannot conceive that she won’t. But citizens must also demand it. If the people don’t ask, the government won’t give,” she reflected.
## The work of H2O Lerma con Encanto
As detailed by **OEM.com**, the president stated that the association’s work began a decade ago, carrying a message of awareness about water and its contamination.
However, by involving more with the community, they discovered that the impacts went beyond the river.
**It is because, as they revealed, there is a very high rate of people suffering from cancer, renal failure, Parkinson’s, and Alzheimer’s.** “These diseases are related to contaminants and heavy metals in the water,” said Arias Ortega.
Initially, their work focused on **protecting wells through the construction of barriers with eggshell, magnesium oxide, and quicklime**, which **helped improve water quality** in various communities.
However, when resources ran out, the organization redirected its efforts towards the sanitation of the Lerma River.
## The pollution of the river
The pollution of the Lerma Santiago River **is mainly due to industrial discharges, untreated sewage, and agricultural waste**.
These pollutants include heavy metals such as lead, mercury, and arsenic, as well as **toxic organic compounds**.
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