**Tijuana’s Aging Water Infrastructure Requires Urgent Replacement**
In Tijuana, approximately 70 kilometers of outdated concrete pipelines need to be replaced, as highlighted by Víctor Amador Barragán, who heads the Secretariat for Water Management, Sanitation, and Protection (Seproa) in Baja California. The aging infrastructure affects areas such as Playas de Tijuana, Otay, and Las Huertas, among others.
These neighborhoods represent some of the oldest areas of Tijuana, developed before the 1990s when pipelines were subsequently upgraded to PVC or other plastic materials in newer districts. The extensive replacement work is critical to ensure adequate water supply and sanitation services.
This issue was discussed during a recent presentation of activities to the Commission of Energy and Hydraulic Resources of the local Congress, where Deputy Adriana Padilla raised concerns. In response, Jesús García Castro, the head of the Tijuana and Rosarito Public Services Commission (CESPT), has successfully secured funding of 12 billion pesos to tackle the backlog of necessary upgrades to the potable water pipelines and extend services to unserved communities.
Amador Barragán further explained that part of the Act 328 of the International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC) includes a program focused on managing leaks in 147 sluices along the Tijuana River. These projects are crucial as they prevent sanitary sewer spills—which can overflow into storm drains due to aging infrastructure—from affecting the area.
**Secondary Article: CSRE Project Developments and Water Management Challenges**
Recently, the city of Tijuana has been making strides in its water management efforts with projects like the San Antonio de los Buenos plant, which is reported to be 80% complete. However, despite this progress, environmental groups like Costa Salvaje argue that the facility will not fully resolve the issue of water discharges into the ocean.
In a related legal development, CESPT is embroiled in a court battle over more than 430 million pesos due to audits conducted by Fisamex. The ongoing dispute highlights the financial complexities involved in managing Tijuana’s water infrastructure needs.
Furthermore, recent findings by the Municipal Sports Institute (Imdet) revealed concerning issues, with reports of a prostitution network being discovered in some athletic complexes. Compounding these social challenges are infrastructural ones, as some sport facilities are struggling with basic amenities like the availability of potable water.
As Tijuana prepares for the upcoming rainy season, city officials have engaged in proactive discussions to develop preventive measures in high-risk areas to mitigate potential hydrometeorological hazards in all nine city delegations.