PUERTO VALLARTA (PVDN) — The alarm bells of a potential water shortage have been ringing in Puerto Vallarta for decades. Industry experts have long predicted that the coastal city, abundant with rivers and streams, may run dry due to a lack of infrastructure to harvest rainwater.
The absence of a dam, especially in the upper part of the Cuale or in the Ameca River, has been a point of concern for the last 50 years. Despite the urgent need for such infrastructure, the substantial investment required has deterred both federal and state governments from committing to the project.
One such warning comes from Moray Applegate, a prominent figure in the real estate sector and director of a real estate company named after him, established by his father, a distinguished developer in southern Puerto Vallarta.
Applegate recalls his father’s words, “One day Vallarta is going to run out of water.” Despite Vallarta’s wealth of natural water sources, the region has failed to utilize these resources effectively. “The water is not used, it goes to the sea. There is no dam to take advantage of it,” he said, echoing his father’s sentiments.
Applegate stressed that a dam, along with other hydraulic projects, are part of a series of investments required in the region to address this looming crisis. He also emphasized the need for a solution to the escalating traffic problem between Puerto Vallarta and Bahía de Banderas, such as the proposed Federation Bridge.
He highlighted the critical importance of effective coordination in managing the conurbation process between Jalisco and Nayarit, but political hurdles have hampered these efforts. He lamented, “These issues are not on the rulers’ agenda, since they usually carry out few urgent works and not the major works relevant to this metropolitan area.”
In light of the pressing issue of urban growth, Applegate pointed out that the land reserves are primarily located in Nayarit. This strategic advantage is propelling Nayarit ahead, attracting a greater share of investments. It paints a clear picture of the challenges that Puerto Vallarta faces if it does not immediately prioritize strategic infrastructure development and urban planning.
As Vallarta approaches a pivotal point in its history, the concern is not just about running out of water, but how the city can strategically manage its resources to guarantee its future sustainability. The time for planning has passed; the time for action is now.
PUERTO VALLARTA (PVDN) — The alarm bells of a potential water shortage have been ringing in Puerto Vallarta for decades. Industry experts have long predicted that the coastal city, abundant with rivers and streams, may run dry due to a lack of infrastructure to harvest rainwater.
The absence of a dam, especially in the upper part of the Cuale or in the Ameca River, has been a point of concern for the last 50 years. Despite the urgent need for such infrastructure, the substantial investment required has deterred both federal and state governments from committing to the project.
