Mexico pours millions into desalination plants

Construction of five desalination plants are planned for Mexico's coastal region, an area characterized by low water availability and high development potential, according to national water authority Conagua.

Major projects are planned for the states of Baja California, Sonora and Quintana Roo.

Projects scheduled to begin building this year include desalination plants in Baja California Sur state capital La Paz and in Los Cabos.

The La Paz plant will have 200l/s capacity during its initial stage, according to Conagua. Investment is estimated at 545mn pesos (US$37.4mn): 60% will come from the private sector and 40% from the national infrastructure fund Fonadin.

Degrémont México, subsidiary of French company Degrémont, has already expressed interest in participating in the public tender to build the La Paz plant.

Investment for the 400l/s Los Cabos desalination plant, meanwhile, has yet to be disclosed.

Conagua's strategic project portfolio also includes desalination plants in Tijuana in Baja California state and San Carlos in Sonora state.

Other projects include a desalination plant for Quintana Roo beach resort Cozumel.

For its part, the North American Development Bank (NADB) is providing 320mn pesos to build a desalination plant in Baja California state. In a press release, NADB said the total cost of the project in Ensenada city reaches 637mn pesos.

The initiatives are part of Mexico's national infrastructure program.