Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Oct. 10, 2026 — SEAPAL urged households to have at least 72 hours of water stored by Saturday morning as it prepares for possible interruptions linked to Hurricane Simon.
In its Friday emergency notice, SEAPAL called for “a reserve of water sufficient for at least 72 hours.” It listed household tanks and cisterns among storage options.
The utility said it could close storage-tank outlets if storm alerts persist. That precaution would help it restore service in an orderly manner once conditions allow.
Power interruptions could affect household water
In a Friday follow-up on its preparations, SEAPAL said electrical outages could affect water service. The utility explained that pumps and other equipment needed to deliver water depend on electricity.
SEAPAL said reopening tank outlets would depend on safe conditions and whether water sources or pipes sustain damage. Its reserve recommendation therefore gives households a preparation period, rather than a fixed timetable for service restoration.
We reported Friday that CFE had deployed repair crews and equipment to Puerto Vallarta ahead of the storm, preparing to repair damaged electrical infrastructure.
How much emergency water to store
For a household planning its drinking-water supply, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s emergency storage guidance recommends at least one gallon per person daily for three days. That equals about 3.8 liters per person each day.
Using that guidance, we calculate that two people would need about 23 liters over three days. The CDC identifies drinking, cooking and brushing teeth among the uses covered by that emergency supply.
The agency recommends storing more water in hot climates and accounting for pets and people with additional needs. It identifies unopened commercial bottled water as the safest emergency drinking-water source.
For water stored at home, the CDC recommends clean, sanitized containers suitable for food, with tightly closing lids. Containers previously used for pesticides, bleach or other toxic chemicals should never hold drinking water, the agency says.
Drainage crews and street works also prepare
SEAPAL’s preparations include operational staffing, machinery and tanker trucks for possible water deliveries or sanitation work, according to its emergency notice.
The utility’s Oct. 7 drainage update documented additional pumping at the Norte I wastewater treatment plant following damage from recent storms. SEAPAL said those efforts had reduced sewer levels and overflow risks in Versalles, where crews also cleaned affected streets.
The emergency plan also calls for securing street excavations before rain. SEAPAL’s sewer project in Parque Las Palmas includes intermittent traffic closures at Avenida Las Palmas and Avenida México. Its Oct. 8 notice asks drivers to follow signs and instructions from municipal traffic officers.
