La Paz Mayor Milena Quiroga Romero presented the city’s water strategy at the Forum + Water for BCS 2026, held March 25 at the Universidad Autónoma de Baja California Sur. Quiroga outlined a plan called “Más Agua para La Paz” that combines new infrastructure, treated water reuse, and a crackdown on illegal water theft to address chronic shortages in the state capital.
El Novillo Dam and New Water Sources
The centerpiece of the strategy is the El Novillo dam, a project Quiroga said La Paz has waited more than 40 years to build. The dam is designed to capture seasonal rainwater and reduce the city’s heavy dependence on deep groundwater extraction from aquifers beneath the Sierra de la Laguna range.
La Paz currently draws most of its drinking water from underground sources that recharge slowly in the arid climate. Less than 25% of residential and commercial buildings in the city have water meters, creating little economic incentive to conserve. The El Novillo dam would add surface water capture to a supply system that also includes a 40-kilometer aqueduct from El Carrizal, completed in recent years to supplement well output.
Treated Water Reuse and Monitoring
Quiroga also highlighted the municipality’s growing use of treated wastewater for irrigation of parks and green spaces. In March 2026, the city planted 300 new trees across La Paz parks using treated water from municipal wastewater plants, closing what officials describe as a circular water cycle suited to desert conditions.
OOMSAPAS (the La Paz municipal water utility) has developed a monitoring center that automates well operations, uses cameras for real-time oversight, and tracks water distribution across the network. The mayor credited utility staff with building the system, which she said helps detect illegal tapping of water lines.
Context for La Paz Water Challenges
La Paz, a city of roughly 300,000 residents on the Sea of Cortez, sits in one of Mexico’s driest regions. Annual rainfall averages less than 200 millimeters. In September 2024, the city inaugurated the La Buena Mujer water purification plant, a 175 million peso ($9.7 million USD) facility serving 12 neighborhoods and about 13,000 residents.
Quiroga announced a companion public education campaign called “Taking Care of Water Is Taking Care of La Paz,” which will visit schools and public spaces to teach children and young people about responsible water use. The forum brought together government officials, academics, and citizens to discuss long-term water security in Baja California Sur, according to BCS Noticias.