Vandals damaged two water wells operated by La Paz’s municipal water utility on Wednesday, July 8, cutting supply and lowering pressure across more than 20 neighborhoods in the Baja California Sur capital.
The targeted wells, known as 17R and 15 Bis, sit behind the Industrial Park zone on the south side of the city. OOMSAPAS (Organismo Operador Municipal del Sistema de Agua Potable, Alcantarillado y Saneamiento) reported that unknown individuals broke into the sites and intentionally damaged hydraulic and electrical equipment. The utility has filed a formal complaint with prosecutors.
Second Sabotage Incident in One Week
Wednesday’s attack was not an isolated event. Just days earlier, on July 3, OOMSAPAS director Abimael Ibarra Abúndez reported sabotage at two other wells, La Ardilla 1 and La Ardilla 2. In that incident, intruders entered the facilities at night and destroyed electrical and hydraulic infrastructure, cutting water to the communities of Chametla and El Centenario. That attack affected more than 12,000 residents.
Damage from the La Ardilla wells alone was estimated at 200,000 pesos (roughly $10,500 USD). Thieves also stole cabling from the CDM “El Piojillo” facility, causing an additional 150,000 pesos ($7,900 USD) in losses. Municipal police responded and filed an official police report, known as an Informe Policial Homologado.
Restoration Timeline Remains Unclear
OOMSAPAS has warned that restoring service after sabotage is far more complex than fixing routine breakdowns. The process requires repairing damaged equipment, restarting the wells, running the water treatment plant, and then repressurizing the entire distribution network. The utility has not given a specific timeline for full restoration after Wednesday’s incident.
The La Paz municipal government said it will cooperate fully with state authorities to identify and prosecute those responsible. OOMSAPAS asked residents to report any information through 911 or the utility’s official channels.
What Affected Residents Should Know
La Paz has long faced water supply challenges due to its desert climate and limited aquifer capacity. Repeated acts of sabotage compound those pressures during the hottest months of the year. Residents in neighborhoods near the industrial corridor should store water as a precaution while repairs continue.
This story was first reported by Noticias La Paz and Peninsular Digital.