PUERTO VALLARTA (PVDN) – Puerto Vallarta’s water crisis seems unlikely to abate anytime soon, with Seapal Vallarta officials informing distressed residents that a solution may not arrive until the arrival of the first rains. The city is currently grappling with severe drought conditions and sieves on the Ameca River, a critical water source.
Seapal Vallarta, the city’s water service operator, laid out a tentative plan in a recent meeting with residents from various neighborhoods who have been without water service for months. Yes, there are Mexicans in Puerto Vallarta that have been without water for months, while it flows freely in the tourist zone. Paúl Martínez, head of water distribution at Seapal Vallarta, announced the introduction of a rotational water service system in the neighborhoods outside of the expat and tourist zones aimed at ensuring all neighborhoods experience some relief.
“We are going to move the valves to have at least one day on and one day off, we are going to test the little water we have,” pledged Martínez. This approach aims to mitigate the uneven distribution of scarce water resources, with some areas continually suffering, mostly Mexican neighborhoods, while tourist and foreigner neighborhoods remain unaffected.
The meeting also involved Vidal Casillas, head of user service, who confirmed that discounts ranging from 10 to 50 percent will be granted to those users who have not had the service. Affected customers need to present their receipt and explain their situation to qualify for this discount.
In discussing the water scarcity, Martínez revealed that despite the sieves on the Ameca River contributing to the shortage, other local water sources such as the Mismaloya River and Cuale were not affected. He mentioned that neighborhoods are currently being supplied from the radial well. This references the area of the Romantic Zone, Conchas Chinas, and the Southshore, which appears to have an abundance of water flow.
To enhance the city’s water supply, five new wells are under construction. These wells, however, must first undergo mineral checks to certify the water as suitable for human consumption. Plans are also afoot to harvest rainwater in the coming months and to create a liquid reserve, to avoid repeating this crisis next year.
The officials highlighted the discrepancy between Puerto Vallarta’s expected and actual growth rates – 4 percent versus a whopping 15 percent – as a key challenge. Despite the burgeoning population and corresponding water demand, the city’s infrastructure hasn’t kept pace, largely because these figures are not considered when issuing new development permits.
As residents eagerly await the rains to bring relief, it’s clear that a sustainable long-term solution to Puerto Vallarta’s water woes is urgently needed.
PUERTO VALLARTA (PVDN) – Puerto Vallarta's water crisis seems unlikely to abate anytime soon, with Seapal Vallarta officials informing distressed residents that a solution . . .
