Mexico to invest US$6bn in strategic water projects through 2030

Mexico plans to invest 123bn pesos (US$6bn) through 2030 in 17 strategic projects under the national water plan, which was presented in November to tackle scarcity.

"This year, we will have an initial investment of 15bn pesos in these projects, and this will benefit 36mn people," the head of water commission Conagua, Efraín Morales, said during President Claudia Sheinbaum's daily press conference on Wednesday.

He also said that a master plan is being developed, based on analyses at the municipal level.

"It's a project that started at the beginning of the administration. We're identifying water, drainage, sanitation and prevention projects," he said. "It's a plan, a survey, a diagnosis that... is unprecedented. It's never been done before. It's being conducted in the 2,478 municipalities that make up the country. To date, we have completed 1,302 assessments."

BNamericas takes a look at the strategic projects.

– Rosarito desalination plant (Baja California)

Total investment: 12bn pesos

2025 investment: 191mn pesos

The 2,200l/s plant will provide water to Tijuana and Rosarito and benefit 994,000 people.

"We say that 4bn pesos will be provided with state resources and 8bn pesos are contemplated as a federal investment," said Morales. "Currently, the projects and studies are being carried out. We plan to carry out the bidding process in October, and we will begin construction in November."

– El Novillo dam (Baja California Sur)

Total investment: 1.42bn pesos

2025 investment: 300mn pesos

With a flow rate of 53l/s, the government expects this dam to benefit 250,000 people. In addition to defining water sectors in La Paz city, new elevated tanks and macro- and micro-metering projects are planned.

"The bidding process will be held in July of this year, and we will begin construction work in August," Morales said.

– Tunal II dam (Durango)

Total investment: 4bn pesos

2025 investment: 700mn pesos

The goal is to benefit 333,000 residents and the project, with a flow rate of 1,500l/s, will complement the Guadalupe Victoria water treatment system implemented by the previous administration.

"Once this project is completed, potable water supply for Durango city will be resolved, not only for the present, but for the next 30 years," said Morales. "We will put the project out to tender in May, and we will begin construction in June. We are practically finishing the final details related to the land clearance process."

– Milpillas dam (Zacatecas)

Total investment: 8.9bn pesos

2025 investment: 350mn pesos

This project will have a flow rate of 1,300l/s and is expected to benefit 14,000 residents.

"Currently, the studies and the project are being updated, and we're working hand in hand with the state government to clear the land. We plan to hold this bidding process in July, and we'll begin work in August 2025," according to the Conagua head.

– Mexico valley

Total investment: 50bn pesos

2025 investment: 4.1bn pesos

This is one of the most ambitious water projects of the Sheinbaum administration. It aims to supply water to 21.6mn residents in Mexico state, Mexico City and Hidalgo with federal and state resources. Works, which also include flood prevention and cleanup of the Tula river, are scheduled to finish in 2030.

"Some projects are already underway. In September, we'll carry out the bidding process, and in October, we'll begin the first works," Morales said.

– Agua para Colima (Colima)

Total investment: 1.78bn pesos

2025 investment: 360mn pesos

A new aqueduct is planned to be developed, which will complement the existing Zacualpan aqueduct and benefit 238,000 residents.

The Conagua director said officials are "very advanced in the projects and in the release of the properties. The bidding process will be held in June 2025, and we'll begin work in July. This is a project that will take approximately three years and will be completed in 2027."

– Edomex (Mexico state)

2025 investment: 2.52bn pesos

The priority project seeks to benefit 10 municipalities in the east of Mexico state, which have regularly been devastated by flooding and difficulties accessing drinking water. The goal is to benefit 6.4mn residents and completion is scheduled for 2028.

"Some of these projects are already underway... and we also have a significant package of bidding processes to begin in the coming days," said Morales.

– Acapulco se transforma contigo (Guerrero)

Total investment: 8bn pesos

2025 investment: 1.8bn pesos

The project involves works related to potable water supply, sewage and flood protection. Another significant portion will be allocated to adapting infrastructure to climate change.

"This is a project that already has made significant progress. The first tenders will be published in April, and we will begin the first works in May," said the official.

– Paso Ancho dam (Oaxaca)

Total investment: 4.6bn pesos

2025 investment: 700mn pesos

With a flow rate of 1,000l/s, the dam will benefit 641,000 residents of Paso Ancho once completed in 2027. This city has a significant water deficit, according to Conagua.

"We're making progress. We're working in coordination with the state government. The bidding process will be held in July, and we'll begin construction in August," said Morales.

– Chiná aqueduct and waterway (Campeche)

Total investment: 1.38bn pesos

2025 investment: 300mn pesos

Both projects aim to supply Campeche city. With a flow rate of 1,250l/s, it is expected to benefit 250,000 residents and construction will begin this year and be completed in 2027.

"The bidding process will be carried out in June, and we will begin the works in July," the official said.

– Flood protection (Tabasco)

Total investment: 2.4bn pesos

2025 investment: 290mn pesos

"In the case of Tabasco, as you know, it is a region where extreme weather events have serious implications for flooding. A project was designed to address different rivers and different points," said Morales.

"This is another project that already has significant progress, so the bidding process will start in April, and we'll begin work in May," he added. Completion is scheduled for 2030.

– Coatzacoalcos aqueduct (Veracruz)

Total investment: 1.55bn pesos

2025 investment: 350mn pesos

This project, with an estimated flow rate of 1,200l/s, is intended to benefit 475,000 residents. Morales said the bidding process will start in July, work in August, and completion is expected for 2027.

– Solís-León aqueduct (Guanajuato)

Total investment: 15bn pesos

2025 investment: 800mn pesos

Once completed in 2028, the project contemplates a flow of 3,800l/s, which will benefit 1.8mn residents in the El Bajío region, which is severely affected by water shortages.

"It's worth noting that the federation will contribute 7bn pesos, and 7.5bn pesos will be contributed by the state and the municipalities," said Morales. "We're already developing the projects. The bidding process will be held in August, and construction will begin in September."

– Ciudad Victoria II aqueduct (Tamaulipas)

Total investment: 1.79bn pesos

2025 investment: 230mn pesos

The project, which is expected to benefit 147,000 residents with an estimated flow of 750l/s, is in its final stages. The bidding process will take place in April and construction will begin in May, according to Morales.

– Las Escobas dam (San Luis Potosí)

Total investment: 600mn pesos

2025 investment: 300mn pesos

This project will guarantee the supply of drinking water to San Luis Potosí city with a flow rate of 200l/s, which, once completed in 2026, would benefit 69,000 residents.

Morales said that "300mn pesos will come from federal investment and the state will contribute 300mn pesos. We are also preparing the projects and studies. The bidding process is scheduled to be published in July, and we will begin work in August."

– La Laguna water trunk networks (Coahuila)

Total investment: 1.8bn pesos

2025 investment: 1.3bn pesos

"It's a very significant project because it will complement a project developed by [former] president Andrés Manuel López Obrador, with a very noble objective – to provide safe water to the people of La Laguna. These main water networks will be able to transport water to four municipalities in the state of Coahuila," said Morales. 

The flow rate is estimated at 350l/s and the project will benefit 144,000 residents, starting in 2026.

"In this case, the project is also already in the final stages of development. We will publish the bidding process in April and begin work in May," he added.

– Hermosillo dam system (Sonora)

Total investment: 7.5bn pesos

2025 investment: 500mn pesos

"Finally... we're currently working on developing projects and studies for a dam system that will provide water to Hermosillo city. It's an important project that will benefit nearly 900,000 people," Morales said. "The bidding process is scheduled for June, and we'll begin work in July."