Conchas Chinas Sump Pump Challenges

Ever since real estate development first began in the hills of Conchas Chinas and Las Amapas there have been challenges with water management - how to get water up the mountain and how to provide proper drainage for sewage, grey waters and rainwater runoff.

These mountainous areas require additional pumping systems to bring water to higher areas and maintaining a constant and sufficient pressure can be complicated.  As well, during the rainy season the slope of the terrain increases runoff, which can affect groundwater quality and require additional infrastructure to prevent contamination. And in high touristic areas such as Conchas Chinas, there’s a higher demand for water during peak seasons, which puts additional pressure on available water resources.

The Conchas Sump Pump is a hydraulic infrastructure which plays a crucial role in the management of drinking water and drainage for this area. Sumps are facilities designed to pump or move large volumes of water, whether for distribution, treatment or drainage.

The Conchas Sump could be part of the system that pumps drinking water from treatment plants to homes and businesses in Puerto Vallarta. It could also play a role in wastewater management, pumping it to treatment plants before its final disposal.

In early January SEAPAL Puerto Vallarta (Water Department) met with the residents of these areas to discuss how to best handle these challenges. Recommendations were for more infrastructures similar to the Conchas Chins Sump, especially to handle extra-high demand. Potentially high-altitude reservoirs to maintain adequate pressure were discussed. Also using advanced technology to properly monitor the systems for flow and detecting leaks. And how the implementation of rainwater harvesting to supplement supply during the dry season could be used.