Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, October 17, 2026 – SEAPAL is urging households to store water for “at least 72 hours” this weekend ahead of a possible preventive shutdown as Hurricane Trudy approaches.
In its Friday emergency notice, the utility said a Civil Protection red alert could trigger the preventive closure of storage tanks and suspension of water service. Operations director Alejandro Padilla Viorato said that would happen close to the expected arrival of storm effects, with residents notified beforehand.
The notice gives no shutdown time. Its 72-hour recommendation describes the reserve households should prepare, rather than an announced three-day interruption.
Extraordinary weekend hours for Gogomáticos also remain unconfirmed. Friday’s statement says SEAPAL is considering extending their hours, but no special timetable could be independently verified Saturday morning.
For households, the practical question is how to cover three days of basic needs if the taps stop running.
SEAPAL recommends storing water in tinacos, cisterns or other clean, suitable containers, while reducing consumption. That means checking what is actually available at home before assuming the household has enough.
Drinking water needs a separate calculation. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s emergency-water guidance recommends at least one U.S. gallon (about 3.8 liters) per person per day for three days. That reserve covers drinking, cooking, brushing teeth, and other basic uses.
For example, two people would need approximately 23 liters over three days at that minimum. A single 20-liter garrafón would fall short. The CDC recommends allowing more for hot weather, pregnancy, illness, and pets, so that calculation is a starting point.
Keep drinking-water containers tightly closed. The CDC recommends food-grade containers and warns against reusing anything that previously held pesticides, bleach or other toxic chemicals. Unopened commercially bottled water is its preferred emergency option.
A household tank also needs protection. In its guidance on cisterns during disasters, the CDC advises filling the tank beforehand, preventing stormwater from entering, and keeping a separate emergency supply of safe water. Floodwater entering a cistern can make its contents unsafe.
For residents who use SEAPAL’s free Gogomático dispensers, the practical step is to verify the intended location’s operating hours before making a refill trip. Residents can check SEAPAL’s official notices or contact the utility at 322-226-9191 or 322-226-9190.
Puerto Vallarta has already experienced a preventive closure this month. According to Vallarta Daily’s reporting on the Hurricane Simón shutdown, SEAPAL restarted water service Sunday afternoon, October 11.
For renters and condominium residents, preparation also means checking with the landlord or building administrator. Ask how much water is currently stored, how many apartments share that reserve, and whether the pumps can operate during a power outage. Those answers determine how much of the building’s stored water will actually be available at the tap.
