Crews from the Comisión Estatal de Servicios Públicos de Mexicali (CESPM), the city’s state water utility, have completed roughly 70% of a hydraulic infrastructure project in Colonia Nueva, a central Mexicali neighborhood.
Workers are installing 4-inch water main valves at the intersection of Calle L and Avenida Pastor Ramos. The valves will give operators better flow control across the local distribution network. At the same time, crews are building a standard inspection manhole and replacing a storm drainage line along Calle L between Avenida Mariano Arista and Avenida Pastor Ramos.
Self-Funded Project to Serve 1,609 Residents
CESPM is paying for the entire project out of its own operating budget, with no federal or binational financing involved. Once finished, the upgrades will directly benefit an estimated 1,609 residents in the surrounding blocks.
The utility operates water and wastewater systems for the city of Mexicali, the Mexicali Valley, and San Felipe. According to North American Development Bank records, CESPM serves roughly 299,364 wastewater connections across its service area, with coverage reaching about 95.5% of households.
Aging Pipes Drive Ongoing Repairs
The Colonia Nueva project is part of a broader pattern of infrastructure rehabilitation in Mexicali. Much of the city’s pipe network is more than 30 years old. CESPM routinely conducts video inspections of its collection lines and has flagged numerous segments that need immediate repair or replacement to prevent failures.
In recent years, the utility has also partnered with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the North American Development Bank on larger wastewater collection projects. Those efforts, focused on replacing deteriorated sewer lines and rehabilitating lift stations, aim to reduce raw sewage overflows into the New River, which flows north across the border into Calexico, California.
Expect Temporary Disruptions
Residents and visitors near Colonia Nueva should expect localized street closures and possible short interruptions in water service until the project wraps up. CESPM has not announced a specific completion date, but the 70% progress mark puts the finish line within sight.
This story was first reported by The Baja Post.