La Paz Mayor Milena Quiroga Romero voiced public support for Mexico’s National Water Plan 2024-2030, calling attention to 1.4 billion pesos (about $70 million USD) in federal water infrastructure funding earmarked for Baja California Sur. The investment is part of President Claudia Sheinbaum’s broader national water strategy, which the federal government says will channel 2.8 billion pesos ($140 million USD) into the state over the full six-year presidential term.
The plan targets three areas across BCS with specific projects. The largest is the El Novillo integrated water system in La Paz, which includes a new dam, a water purification plant, and a distribution network. The federal government also plans to rehabilitate Loreto’s water treatment plant and expand sanitation infrastructure in Los Cabos.
El Novillo Dam: The Centerpiece for La Paz
The El Novillo dam project is the most significant piece of the plan for La Paz residents. Construction on the dam began in late 2025, backed by an estimated 2.4 billion pesos ($131.9 million USD) in investment planned through 2027. Once operational, El Novillo is expected to supply around 53 liters of water per second and serve approximately 250,000 residents.
BCS Governor Víctor Castro has described El Novillo as a landmark investment, noting that La Paz has not seen a hydraulic project of this scale in decades. The dam sits within a broader national program of 37 strategic water projects that CONAGUA (the National Water Commission) outlined for 2025, with a combined national budget of 30.8 billion pesos ($1.57 billion USD).
Chronic Shortages Drive Urgency
Water scarcity has been a persistent issue across BCS, particularly in La Paz and Los Cabos, where population growth and tourism development have outpaced aging infrastructure. La Paz residents regularly experience low water pressure and rationing, especially during the hottest months.
Mayor Quiroga has also pursued smaller, near-term improvements alongside the federal plan. In early April, the city promoted the construction of three new elevated water tanks in the Diana Laura, Paraíso del Sol, and La Pasión neighborhoods. Those projects, costing roughly 27 million pesos combined, are part of the city’s “More Water for La Paz” plan and aim to improve storage and pressure for more than 19,000 residents.
The federal commitments carry more weight than past water infrastructure announcements because they come with confirmed budget allocations through CONAGUA. Still, these are planned investments, not completed works. Residents will be watching whether construction timelines hold and whether the promised funding arrives on schedule.
This story was first reported by the La Paz municipal government news office at noticias.lapaz.gob.mx.