Puerto Vallarta Mayor Luis Ernesto Munguía González recently visited Santa Barbara, California, to study the city’s seawater desalination system—a potential solution to Vallarta’s growing water shortages. As the city’s population and tourism industry expand, securing a sustainable water supply has become an urgent priority.
Santa Barbara, a sister city to Puerto Vallarta, operates a desalination plant that converts seawater into potable water. Mayor Munguía González described the visit as both insightful and promising.
“We toured the facility and met with the team overseeing its operation,” he said. “They explained the process in detail—how they produce millions of liters of fresh water from the ocean and the steps they take to maintain quality and efficiency.”
Puerto Vallarta’s water supply is currently under immense strain. Carlos Ruiz, director of SEAPAL Vallarta, the local water and sewer authority, recently stated that production stands at approximately 1,200 liters per second—an amount consumed almost immediately. Without new water sources, meeting peak demand and future needs remains a significant challenge.
Mayor Munguía González believes desalination could play a crucial role in securing the city’s water future. Local officials are now set to explore the technical and financial feasibility of adopting a similar model to Santa Barbara’s, with the goal of increasing Vallarta’s potable water supply for residents and businesses.
While still in the early stages, these discussions mark an important step toward a long-term solution to one of Puerto Vallarta’s most pressing challenges: ensuring a reliable and sustainable water supply for generations to come.