For the benefit of 250,000 inhabitants
La Paz is experiencing rapid population growth, increasing the water demand. As the aquifer is depleted, saltwater from the nearby ocean is intruding into the aquifer, contaminating the freshwater supply.
To deal with this problem, the Municipal Government announced that the process to select the most suitable supplier for “El Novillo” dam, will be through competitive bidding held in July.
The goal is to start the construction in August 2025 with an initial investment of $15 million US.
The project is part of the 2024-2030 National Water Plan, which includes rainwater harvesting in the Sierra de El Novillo, on the La Palma stream. The planned dam will have a storage capacity of 22 million cubic meters (roughly 6 million gallons). A projected flow rate of 53 liters (14 gal) persecond is expected and a water treatment plant and pipeline constructed, said Mayor Milena Quiroga.
This new dam project is part of a comprehensive vision within the ‘Water for La Paz’ plan. With actions like this, the municipality is moving forward toward building a better quality of life for the people of La Paz. The total investment will be $71 million US.