Background

The existing water supply system varies widely in age and condition, and has various deficiencies, such as undersized and deteriorating distribution lines, intermittent service, low water pressures, and excessive leakage from distribution lines and storage facilities.

The current water distribution system concentrates flows at the City’s lowest ground levels and uses numerous pump stations to service the population located on higher ground, resulting in uneven water pressure zones and serious malfunctions in old, deteriorated lines, 75 percent of which were constructed more than 50 years ago using asbestos cement
pipes.

The Mexican national water commission, Comisión Nacional del Agua (CNA), has completed the construction of several Phase I components with an investment of more than US$9 million. The CNA-funded works included the construction of a 30-inch transmission line, pump station and storage main tanks I and II.

Description

OOMAPAS -Nogales is proposing a project to rehabilitate and expand
the existing water system. The major components of the project are:

• Partial construction of a 20-mile water distribution system known
  as “AQUAFÉRICO”, because it forms a ring around the city.
• Construction of two water distribution mains and six storage
  tanks that will transport potable water by gravity to the entire
  population of Nogales.
• Rehabilitation of pressure valves
• Installation of macro- and micrometering systems and a water
  source automation control system.

Benefits

This project will increase the capacity of the water distribution and storage system, while reducing the need for pump stations, which will allow the utility to provide water service with sufficient capacity to meet demand. Rehabilitation of the distribution lines will greatly reduce water losses from leaks, thereby conserving this natural resource.