Water crisis in Baja California Sur: mayors call for federal support

Proyecto de construcción de una nueva presa para el municipio de La Paz, Foto: Cortesía CEA BCS

Mayors from the five municipalities of Baja California Sur (BCS) formally requested the federal government declare a severe drought emergency. Water shortages are already affecting more than 150,000 residents, primarily in rural and highly marginalized areas.

During a morning press conference held at the National Palace, authorities from the National Water Commission (Conagua) confirmed that Baja California Sur is included in the National Water Plan, with the construction of a new dam for the municipality of La Paz.

Conagua head Efraín Morales explained that a total of 17 projects will be addressed through this National Plan, which will require an investment of 122.6 billion pesos during President Claudia Sheinbaum's six-year term.

In the case of Baja California Sur, it was specified that federal support in the fight against the water crisis will focus on La Paz, confirming that the municipality will have a new dam costing 1.423 billion pesos.

Among the positive impacts that federal authorities anticipate with this project, they estimate that more than 250,000 people will benefit in the capital city.

Although the director general of Conagua indicated that the projects are in the study phase, the bidding process is expected to begin in July of this year, and construction is estimated to begin in August.

For her part, President Claudia Sheinbaum Prado previously stated that other projects are planned for the Central Peninsula, which will be carried out not only by Conagua but also by institutions such as the Ministry of Infrastructure, Communications, and Transportation (SICT).