Mexico is preparing to break ground on one of the most ambitious water infrastructure projects in its history, with construction of the Playas de Rosarito desalination plant scheduled to begin at the end of March. The initiative forms a central pillar of Baja California’s strategy to secure new and reliable sources of drinking water for its rapidly growing population, according to a report by BNAmericas.
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The project represents a combined investment of more than 14.6 billion pesos (approximately US$840 million) from federal and state governments. Efraín Morales, general director of the National Water Commission (Conagua), confirmed that the federal agency will supervise construction while the Baja California government will be responsible for distribution networks once the facility becomes operational.
Designed to be the largest and most technologically advanced desalination plant in Latin America, the facility will produce 2,200 liters of potable water per second. Authorities estimate this will increase the available supply for the metropolitan areas of Tijuana and Playas de Rosarito by as much as 45%, helping to ease chronic shortages that have affected households and industry for years.
Local officials have emphasized that the new plant is not only a response to current scarcity but also a long-term investment aimed at sustaining economic development along the U.S.–Mexico border. Baja California has faced mounting pressure on its aquifers due to population growth, industrial expansion, and recurring droughts, making alternative sources such as desalination increasingly essential.
Morales highlighted the progress already achieved in preparatory work and set out a clear timeline for delivery. “This work is going to start at the end of March, beginning of April, already with construction. We have already carried out very important work for the projects. And it will be completed in 2029,” he said.
Alongside the desalination initiative, the federal government is pushing forward with the modernisation of Irrigation District 014 Río Colorado. A separate investment of 5 billion pesos will upgrade more than 10,000 hectares of farmland, introducing more efficient irrigation technology. Officials expect the improvements to recover up to 30% of water currently used for agriculture, part of which will be redirected for human consumption. The modernization program is slated for completion in 2028.
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Beyond large-scale engineering works, the administration is also directing funds toward neighborhood-level improvements. Through the Social Infrastructure Fund (FAIS), 340 million pesos have been allocated in 2025 to finance 122 projects involving drinking water, sewage systems, and sanitation services across Baja California’s seven municipalities. Authorities confirmed that the program will continue throughout 2026 with a focus on underserved communities where access remains limited.
Morales noted that when all initiatives are combined, overall federal and state investment in hydraulic infrastructure for Baja California surpasses 16.7 billion pesos, underscoring the strategic priority being given to water security.
The Rosarito project has experienced a complex political journey. Originally cancelled in 2020 during the administration of former governor Jaime Bonilla, it was revived by current state leader Marina del Pilar following the resolution of an arbitration dispute initiated by Consolidated Water in 2024. The turning point came in November 2024, when President Claudia Sheinbaum publicly confirmed federal backing for the initiative, clearing the way for construction to proceed.
Officials believe the plant will become a model for future desalination efforts across Mexico, combining modern technology with public investment to confront the region’s increasingly severe water challenges.
Originally reported by Smart Water Magazine.
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