La Paz Mayor Milena Quiroga Romero announced that eight new purified water dispensers are set to open at the Municipal Sports Center known as El Piojillo. The stainless steel units will provide free, certified drinking water to the more than 800 people who visit the facility each day.
Both the municipal water utility and COEPRIS (the state commission for health risk protection) have certified the water quality of the new units. The dispensers were built through a public-private collaboration, though the city has not disclosed the private partners involved or the total cost of the project.
Designed for Baja’s Extreme Heat
Each dispenser includes nozzles for direct drinking and for filling reusable water bottles. City officials said a cooling system will be added to the units in the coming weeks, a feature that will matter as La Paz summer temperatures regularly exceed 40°C (104°F).
El Piojillo is one of La Paz’s most popular public recreation facilities. Located in the city’s urban core, it draws families, athletes, and casual visitors for soccer, basketball, swimming, and other activities. Until now, visitors have had to bring their own water or purchase bottled water on site.
Water Access a Growing Priority in La Paz
The dispenser project fits into a broader push by the Quiroga administration to improve water access across public spaces in La Paz. The city inaugurated the La Buena Mujer water purification plant in September 2024, a 175 million peso (roughly $9.7 million USD) investment designed to serve at least 13,000 residents across 12 neighborhoods. That plant can inject up to 70 liters per second into the city’s distribution network.
Water supply remains a persistent concern in Baja California Sur, where desert conditions and population growth strain infrastructure year-round. For residents and visitors who use public parks and sports facilities, the free dispensers at El Piojillo eliminate the need to carry or buy bottled water during workouts and games.
The inauguration date for the dispensers has not been confirmed, but Quiroga said the units are ready for use. The story was first reported by BCS Noticias.