PUERTO VALLARTA (PVDN) – Water wars ignite in paradise! As Puerto Vallarta’s precious aquifers dry up, Environmental Groups rally against the construction boom and petition the city to stop issuing new building permits. Will their plea quench the city’s thirst, or will the all-powerful development companies and greed continue to win? Keep reading to find out more!
In a strongly worded letter to municipal, regional, and federal officials, including Puerto Vallarta’s Mayor Luis Alberto Michel Rodríguez and delegates from environmental and climate organizations, various regional environmental groups have demanded a halt to new building permits due to the city’s ongoing water scarcity crisis. The call to action highlights concerns over the pace and planning of urban development and its adverse effects on local water resources.
Signatories to the letter include prominent organizations such as Pacific Wetlands Conservation, Vallarta Urban Bird Program, United for the Macaws, Organization for the Conservation of Trees, and the Puerto Vallarta Ecological Group, among others. They express grave concerns over the depletion of previously abundant streams and rivers, attributing it to rapid urban expansion that often replaces single-family dwellings with large apartment complexes.
The groups question the unchecked urban growth, asking, “How far should the city grow, without compromising the quality of life, health, and environmental balance?” They urge government authorities to reconsider the issuance of construction permits without evaluating their impact on water availability.
The letter references data from the National Information System of the National Water Commission (CONAGUA), which indicated in 2020 that the Puerto Vallarta aquifer was overexploited, with an annual deficit of -3,712,190 m3. This alarming statistic underpins the already palpable water crisis in the region.
The environmentalists criticize the local water utility, Seapal, for high charges despite inadequate water supply. They underscore the municipal authority’s duty to provide clean water and efficient wastewater treatment and disposal.
The letter outlines an urgent plea for immediate action, including reviewing ongoing construction permits and halting the approval of new ones for projects lacking assured water supplies. Other suggested measures include compulsory rainwater collection wells in parks, gardens, and current developments.
The environmentalists assert, “Without water, Puerto Vallarta is dying and the commitment as a quality tourist destination that is friendly to the environment as well. The more buildings are built, the less water will reach the subsoil. Please do something now!”
