**Baja California’s State Water Program Progress Update**
The State Water Program of Baja California, overseen by the Secretariat for Water Management, Sanitation, and Protection (Seproa), has achieved a 53% overall progress, according to its leader, Víctor Amador Barragán. The initiative consists of 58 hydraulic infrastructure projects, with 48 currently under development, four in the planning phase, and six already completed.
The program is categorized into various types of projects: 24 concerning water sources and purification, 30 on sanitation, three on water reuse, and one involving storm drainage. These details were shared by Amador Barragán during the state government’s third report presentation to the local Congress.
Among the key advancements, the modernization and reinforcement of the Colorado River Aqueduct is 89% complete. The Mesa Arenosa project, involving the rehabilitation of ten wells and the replacement of five others, has reached completion. In Mexicali, the Voluntad collector is 58% finished, and the rehabilitation of the Las Arenitas wastewater treatment plant is currently underway.
To date, the concluded treatment plants are Gallo, El Sauzal, and Cañón de Doña Petra. The overall program is valued at approximately 24 billion pesos, with 1.539 billion pesos already spent across 54 works and seven strategic projects.
Amador Barragán emphasized that the current administration has not incurred public debt for these water network improvements, relying solely on Sustainable Bonds for funding. The only public-private partnership in operation is the Ensenada desalination plant, which continues to supply water to Ensenada.
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**Upgrades Needed in Baja California’s Water Infrastructure**
Experts have highlighted the necessity to increase the water supply allocation to Baja California’s coastal areas in response to rising demand. Additionally, it has been identified that approximately 70 kilometers of the Cespt’s pipelines are outdated and require replacement, as expressed by Seproa.
A significant financial burden also exists due to outstanding debts, with 48 delinquent accounts owing over 6 billion pesos to community services. Meanwhile, local initiatives, such as public forums for the Tijuana municipal development plan, aim to incorporate community proposals.
The region’s health sector has successfully administered 350,000 flu vaccines within a month to manage the upcoming winter season. Despite these healthcare efforts, financial limitations affect the municipality’s capacity to adequately support migrant services, underscoring the need for a more coordinated policy approach.
Concerns have also been raised regarding potential landslides on the Paseo Costero in Playas de Tijuana, proximal to the lifeguard station, necessitating immediate attention. Weather forecasts predict a chilly Sunday with overcast skies, reaching a high of 19° Celsius. On a safety note, two homicides were recently reported, but no details about the suspects have emerged.
Looking ahead, the local business community urges quick action on priority issues following the dissolution of certain autonomous bodies, trusting the government’s inherent expertise to address these challenges.