La Paz’s municipal water utility sent crews to three rural communities south of the city on May 8 to assess water distribution problems and begin formalizing irregular connections. The visits to Las Pocitas, Santa Rita, and Puerto Chale were ordered by Mayor Milena Quiroga Romero as part of a broader push to extend reliable potable water service to families outside the urban core.
OOMSAPAS La Paz (the Municipal Water, Sewer, and Sanitation Agency) found that Las Pocitas has been hit by unauthorized water taps that are reducing pressure and volume for other residents. The agency said it will carry out inspections, regularization of connections, and group enrollment of households into the formal service network.
Metering Planned for Santa Rita
In Santa Rita, utility staff met with residents to discuss installing water meters. The goal is to create a more organized distribution system and establish equitable billing. Metering has long been a challenge across the La Paz municipality, where historically fewer than 25% of residential and commercial properties have had meters, giving users little incentive to conserve water.
The third community visited, Puerto Chale, a small fishing settlement on the Pacific coast roughly 150 kilometers south of La Paz, was also assessed during the tour. All three communities fall within the Los Dolores rural zone of the municipality.
Water Scarcity Puts Pressure on Infrastructure
Water access is a persistent concern across Baja California Sur, one of Mexico’s driest states. La Paz itself has faced supply constraints in recent years, prompting construction of a 40-kilometer aqueduct from El Carrizal to supplement the city’s aquifer. Extending formal service to rural communities adds another layer of demand on a system already under stress.
For households in Las Pocitas and Santa Rita, regularization could mean steadier water pressure and formal billing. Residents currently drawing water through informal taps may face new service contracts and metered usage charges.
OOMSAPAS La Paz said the field visits are part of Mayor Quiroga’s policy of direct engagement with outlying communities, allowing the utility to document needs firsthand before planning infrastructure upgrades.
First reported by Noticias La Paz and Diario Humano.