Conagua to Start Tendering Process for Mexican Reservoir

Mexican state water utility Conagua is to start the tendering process for the construction of the El Purgatorio reservoir in Jalisco, Mexico, by the end of 2011.

The reservoir will have a 35 million cubic metres capacity and the project will include the construction of a 6km pipeline, which will provide potable water to 1.65 million people.

Conagua director of central and regional projects and studies Antonio Esparza told bnamericas.com that the publication of the tender depends on the completion of technical studies by Jalisco water authority CEA.

The El Purgatorio reservoir will receive 1,400l of water per second from the Verde River, 800l per second from the nearby El Salto dam and another 3,000l per second from the El Zapotillo dam, which is currently under construction.

The total cost of the El Purgatorio project is MXN5.79bn ($487m), with MXN3.93bn allocated for the construction of the dam and pipeline and MXN1.86bn for a water treatment plant and distribution network.