30 Colonias Affected by Ruptures of Major Water Line

by Maureen Dietrich

12 Mar 15 

mazmessenger.com

 

 

 

 

 

Two ruptures within 24 hours in one of the main lines distributing water to Mazatlán has disrupted

water supply in northern Mazatlán and El Centro today.

The first break in the 65-year-old conduit pipe occurred Tuesday afternoon a few meters from the

prison in the heavily populated Los Gavilanes area.

Early yesterday morning the pipe ruptured in a second location approximately 500 meters down the

line from the first break in the north-south lane of highway Mexico 15.

Water from the rupture inundated hectares of fields in the vicinity, including a nearby family home.

Blas Reyes Zazueta, assistant manager of production for Mazatlán´s Junta Municipal de Agua

Potable y Alcantarillado (Jumapam), stated because of the ruptures the water department had to

reduce both production and distribution lowering the pressure from 1,900 liters per second to 1,300

resulting in an inevitable shortage of water beginning today.

They need to locate the break and repair it, said the assistant manager. The 30 inch pipe made of

asbestos and cement is obsolete and will be reinforced with a steel sleeve to solve the problem and

avoid a more severe shortage.

Reyes Zazueta commented that Jumapam is aware more breaks could occur due to the poor

condition of the conduit pipe.

He pointed out that buildings have been constructed on top of the subterraneous water lines, as is the

 case with the second break, making it more complicated to reach the pipe. Jumapam has to request

permission from the owner of the land to bring in heavy machinery to remove some structures built

over the pipe since the land is privately held.

As well as outer colonias, areas in Mazatlán that will feel the effects of low water pressure and/or

absence of water are:

El Castillo, La Sierna, Urías, Quinta Chapalita, Casa Redonda, Centro, Lázaro Cárdenas, Playa Sur,

Balcones de Loma Linda, Cerritos Resort, La Riviera, Lomas del Mar, Lomas del Valle, Real de Valle,

Terranova Plus, Infonavit Jabalíes, Infonavit Playas, Valles del Ejido,Venustiano Carranza and 20 de

Noviembre.

(from Noroeste)

Fenosa Wins Natural Gas Distribution Bid for Sinaloa

by Maureen Dietrich
24 Feb 15
mazmessenger.com

The most important savings will be for industries and agriculture.

The Spanish company Fenosa has won the bid to expand distribution of natural gas in central and south Sinaloa to 1.5 million inhabitants.

On Friday, the Energy Regulatory Commission gave the go-ahead to the company to distribute natural gas in Culiacán, Elota, Mazatlán and Navolato.

In October last year Fenosa also won the bid to for distribution in southern Sonora and northern Sinaloa towns of Ahome, Choix, El Fuerte, Guasave and Salvador Alvarado.

Coordinator for Sinaloa Strategic Projects, Francisco Labastida Gómez de la Torre, estimated the project would require 300 million pesos.

Speaking to media, he said Sinaloans will now use natural gas in place of LP gas and instead of paying 480 pesos to fill a 30 liter tank, he estimates the price will decrease by 30 or 40 percent.

This represents an important savings for the general population, he continued, but the most important is the savings for industries and the potential for attracting more agricultural industries.

He stated in theory Fenosa will begin investing this year so that at the end of the year, or early next year, distribution will begin. Obviously, said Gómez de la Torre, the first city to receive natural gas will be Los Mochis and eventually it will be piped to other large cities in Sinaloa.

(from Noroeste)

Jumapam Requests Rate Rise Between 20 to 83 Percent

by Maureen Dietrich
20 Feb 15
mazmessenger.com
 

Rigoberto Félix Díaz says new tariffs are fairer.

With the proposal sent by Mazatlán’s water department (Jumapam) to the State Legislature last week to increase water rates from between 20 and 83 percent, the department would garner an additional 100 million pesos annually above the 300 million it presently collects.

If approved, the proposal which has gone through its first reading in congress would allow for repairs and renovation of the municipality’s drainage system said Jumapam Manager Rigoberto Eélix Díaz.

The proposal divides water taxes into three different categories and would be a “fairer” distribution of payment for water users who all presently pay the same rate throughout the municipality. The idea, said Félix Díaz, is for people who live in residential zones, which represent 14 percent of users, pay the maximum 83 percent increase or 35 pesos more.

It is unfair, he stated, that a home in El Cid pays the same minimum rate as one in Colonia Villa Tutuli.

The proposed rate hike for domestic users which represents 40 percent of the tax base is 20 percent or eight pesos.

The intermediate tariff which will be applied to homes valued between 500,000 and one million pesos will increase 35 percent or 14 pesos.

Commercial establishments and industries will see their tariffs increase from 119 to 143 pesos monthly.

Proposed rates are for the minimum of 13 cubic meters of water supply and do not include the 45 percent charge for drainage and sewage treatment.

(from Noroeste)

Jumapam Backtracks on Customers Paying for New Meters

by Maureen Dietrich 

11 Nov 14 

mazmessenger.com

 

The cost of 15,000 water meters expected to be replaced in the municipality will be absorbed by Jumapam.

The decision followed a meeting of board members last week after users complained of the plan to include the cost of a new meter in the amount of 405 pesos on monthly bills.

Mazatlán Mayor Carlos Felton advised that only replacement of meters that were stolen or damaged by the user will be charged to the client´s monthly water bill. Jumapam will replace outdated meters free of charge.

The water board also approved reducing the cost of changing the name on a water contract with Jumapam from 800 pesos to 200 pesos. 

(from Noroeste)

Jumapam Proposes 30% Increase in Water Rates

by Murry Page

8 Nov 14 

mazmessenger.com

 

Mazatlán mayor, Carlos Felton, told reporters following a closed door meeting with the Board of Directors of the Municipal Water and Sewer Board (Jumapam), that he will propose to the state’s Congress that the water rates be increased.

Guillermo Romero Rodriguez, one of the directors of Jumapam, said, “An increase of 30 percent in our revenues would provide the additional 100 million pesos that are needed next year for infrastructure projects for drainage issues. That would provide us virtually new facilities in El Centro, where we have more problems and the area that needs to be repaired, it is a five-year project, of 400 million pesos per year.”

The mayor noted that Mazatlán has very low water rates when compared to other municipalities in the state and throughout México.

It has been two years since Jumapam increased its rates.

(from Noroeste)

Jumapam Begins Census of Water Users

by Maureen Dietrich

5 Nov 14 

mazmessenger.com

 

In two weeks, Mazatlán’s wáter department, la Junta Municipal de Agua Potable y Alcantarillado (Jumapam) will begin its first water census.

Rocío Barragán Chacón, head of Jumapam’s communications department, the object of the census is to visit the homes of its 143,000 users to ascertain exactly how many people use Jumapam’s services and to evaluate its (efficiency).

The results will allow Jumapam to plan new projects to provide better service. She expects the results of the census to be made public in February, 2015.

Jumapam inspectors will wear sky blue jackets and matching hats and will not ask anything other than questions relating to water service. As well, she added, the inspectors will check water meters and advise owners if they need a new one the cost of which will be added to their water bill.

 (from Noroeste)

Jumapam to Replace 15,000 Water Meters

by Murry Page

27 Oct 14 

mazmessenger.com

 

Rigoberto Felix Diaz, General Manager of the Municipal Board of Water and Sewer Mazatlán (Jumapam), told reporters that within the next two weeks Jumapam would replace 15,000 old bronze water meters that have exceeded their useful lives of between five and seven years.

Felix Diaz said the cost of the new meters was 9 million pesos ($690,000), although when asked he did not know the name of company from which they were purchased.

The General Manager pointed out that the meters would be installed at no cost to the Jumapam customer.

If a customer does not want a new meter installed, the customer can keep the older one, as long as it is in good working condition.

(from El Sol de Mazatlán)

Zona Dorada Roads Re-open

by Maureen Dietrich

15 Oct 14  

mazmessenger.com

 

After 14 days of intense work replacing drain pipes in the Zona Dorada, Jumapam has re-opened Av. Playa Gaviotas in the Zona Dorada. Approximately 105 meters of concrete tubing was replaced with PVC.

During the two weeks of work, Av. Playa Gaviotas to Bugambilias St. were closed to traffic causing chaos as drivers looked for ways to access the Zona Dorada. 

(from Noroeste)

Jumapam to Replace City’s Drainage Network

by Murry Page

15 Oct 14 

mazmessenger.com

 

Rigoberto Felix Diaz, General Manager of the Mazatlán Municipal Board for Water and Sewer (Jumapam), said that Jumapam intends to spend 400 million pesos ($30.8 million) in each of the next four years (2015-2018) to replace the entire drainage network in the city.

He noted that to accomplish this Jumapam would need to add an additional 100 million pesos ($7.7 million) a year to its annual budget.

Felix Diaz said Jumapam was receiving 100 reports a day on various problems dealing with the city’s drinking water or sewer system.

He said the first priority is to fix the city sewer and drainage system, as more than 20 percent of the system needs emergency repairs.

The General Manager said what Jumapam is proposing spending 400 million pesos ($30.8 million) a year from a variety of resources to generate the 2.6 billion pesos ($200 million) required to replace the entire old pipe throughout the city.

(from Noroeste)

Jumapam Rallies to Urgent Water and Sewage Pipe Repairs

by Maureen Dietrich

3 Oct 14 in Home 

mazmessenger.com

 

In Fracc. Jacarandas, residents complained of sewage and worms flooding the street.

Jumapam is spending 446,000 pesos in the Golden Zone.

Business owners in the Zona Dorada, who have complained for years to Jumapam about fetid odours and spewing sewage from manhole covers in the streets outside their shops and restaurants, arrived at work Wednesday to find their streets blocked and Jumapam employees hard at work.

Jumapam assistant manager of distribution, Henry Cruz Hernández, stated repairs in the Zona Dorada presented complications in that there are many restaurants and hotels in the zone with grease traps that overflow into a drainage system that is more than 25 years old.

Nonetheless, Jumapam is investing 61,600 pesos in repairing drainage and sewage ducts on Calle Garza and 385,000 pesos for Av. Playa Gaviotas in the Golden Zone. Cruz Hernández did not specify when the work will be completed.

In other areas of the city, Jumapam is working in Parque Bonfil and Calle Cedros in Colonia Jacarandas to repair urgent leaks.

In Parque Bonfil, 50 meters of 12 inch concrete pipes will be replaced. The ancient pipes are a conduit for industrial discharges from freezer plants, said the assistant manager, and the water is very hot. He expects the repairs to be completed by this weekend at a cost of 350,000 pesos.

Residents of Fracccionamiento Jacarandas had complained earlier this week to Jumapam that sewage water full of worms was flooding their streets requiring urgent attention and that Jumapam was not responding to their complaints. Workers are now on site, said Cruz Hernández and the 297,000 peso repairs are slated to be completed by Monday.

Two other major repairs will begin soon, he added: one in Lomas de Mazatlán and a second in Av. Gabriel Leyva between Josefa Ortiz de Domínguez and San Luis de Potosí streets.

In less than a month the Mazatlán water department has received more than 400 reports of running sewage in city streets a result, said the Jumapam assistant manager, of rain from hurricanes Norbert and Odile and aging infrastructure. 

(from Noroeste)

No Cars in Centro Historico?

by Maureen Dietrich

30 Sep 14 

mazmessenger.com

 

Mazatlán’s municipal government recently signed a collaboration agreement with the Instituto Nacional de Antropología e Historia (INAH) to continue updating and revamping the Centro Historico.

Among projects presented to businessmen and public officials were prohibiting cars in the historic section, widening sidewalks, increasing green areas, continuing repaving streets with interlocking blocks and installing underground cables.

Israel Victoria Lona, director of the municipal institute of planning, put forward the plan to eradicate vehicles from Centro Historico streets. This would, he said, allow for the widening of sidewalks and liberate streets to become pedestrian walkways.

Sinaloa INAH representative, Francisco Ríos Avendaño, announced it has been arranged that property taxes for owners in Centro Historico would be deductible from taxes if they use those funds to improve their area. 

(from Noroeste)

Pichachos Dam Five Years Later

by Maureen Dietrich

29 Sep 14  

mazmessenger.com

 

To date only 15 percent of the dam’s water is being used, totaling 580 million cubic meters

Five years after beginning operation, the much anticipated Pichachos Dam has failed to provide its two main objectives: a constant water supply for Mazatlán and irrigation for local agriculture.

According to the Conaqua regional director, Saúl Sánchez Félix, to date only 15 percent of the dam´s water is being used, totaling 580 million cubic meters. The rest ends up in the ocean.

Tops of trees from flooded land stand out in the waters of the dam where residents have stocked lobina and tilapia.

To fully take advantage of the dam and meet its original objectives, construction of the Miravalles Aqueduct is paramount. The aqueduct, with a proposed budget of 500 million pesos, would direct water 42 kilometers from the dam to Mazatlán and irrigate 22,500 hectares of cultivated agricultural land.

A group of experts and Conaqua personnel are in discussion with the State to resolve this problem once and for all, said Sánchez Félix. However, to date the only initiative that has been taken is an executive study of the project and a preliminary cost figure to be presented for the 2015 Federal budget.

Sánchez Félix advised Conaqua is working diligently with respect to the irrigation system and the Mazatlán municipal council is working to push forward the Miravalles Aqueduct project. The estimated cost of the aqueduct is 500 million pesos, and 2,158 million to complete the irrigation system.

Six cooperatives offer sports fishing, ecotourism and overnight accommodation.

In the meantime, residents of the small towns surrounding the dam have begun sports fishing and ecotourism businesses, forming cooperatives and seeding the dam with lobina and tilapia.

Atilano Román Aguayo, who lost his home and town when dam waters flooded several small pueblos, said the people have formed six commercial fishing cooperatives and built 28 cabanas for tourists. They are also now affiliated with North American companies to promote the area and send groups of sports fishermen to enjoy the well-stocked dam.

 (from Noroeste)

Jumapam and Telefónica Movistar Offer Promotion

by Maureen Dietrich

11 Sep 14 

mazmessenger.com

 

In a campaign to reward clients who pay their water bill regularly, Mazatlán’s water department (Jumapam) and Telefónica Movistar have joined forces to offer a free cell phone to the 70,000 reliable payers (of 143,000 registered users).

Beginning September 15 through October 15, regular water bill payers can bring their bills to one of the Jumapam modules where they will receive a coupon they can exchange for a Movistar cell phone.

The only catch is you must pay 200 pesos which entitles you to three free numbers, two free movie theater tickets valid until November 8, 100 minutes of calls, 200 text messages, 200 megabytes of internet time and other unspecified benefits.

 (from Noroeste)

Users Pay for New Water Meters, says Jumapam

by Maureen Dietrich

11 Sep 14

mazmessenger.com

 

Mazatlán’s water department, Jumapam, is in the process of issuing notices to clients advising their water meter is considered old and outdated and will be replaced with a new one, at a cost of 405 pesos to the client.

The plan is to notify 15,000 clients this month, said Jumapam general manager Rigoberto Félix Díaz. The meters which are guaranteed by the manufacturer for five years are broken, partially broken or the counters are illegible, he explained.

There is no charge for removing the old and substituting the new meter, the cost of which will appear on the client’s water bill and he or she has the option to pay off the cost over six payments. 

(from Noroeste)

Pemex and CFE Removed from list of Parastatals

by Murry Page

19 Aug 14 

mazmessenger.com

 

Petróleos Mexicanos (Pemex) and the Federal Electricity Commission (CFE) are no longer officially Parastatals. The Ministry of Finance and Public Credit (SHCP) excluded the two institutions within the list of the 189 parastatals published last week in the Official Gazette.

The SGCP announcement said the CFE and Pemex, under that pursuant to Decree Law of Petróleos Mexicanos and the Law of the Federal Electricity Commission, will be transformed into Productive State Enterprises and leave being subject to the Federal Law on Public Entities.

(from El Sol de Mazatlán)

Burdened By Your Rent? Try These Six Savings Tips

Paula Pant

May 1st, 2014

trulia.com

Feeling overwhelmed by your rent payment? With Trulia’s rent  prices for major metros like San Francisco, Miami, and New York, averaging almost 40% of the median income, it’s becoming a very hot topic for renters.

Don’t sweat. There are plenty of ways you can make your dollars go further, despite the premium prices on your apartment. A little creativity, imagination and negotiation goes a long way.

If you’re feeling rent-poor, try these six tactics:

#1: Ask for an Upfront Payment Discount

Ask your landlord or property manager if they’d be willing to give you a 5 percent discount in exchange for paying a few months of rent upfront.

Emphasize two points: First, they could probably earn more than 5 percent if they invest that money (or used it to pay off their investor loans). Therefore, they’ll financially benefit from having the money upfront.

Second, emphasize that this reduces their workload. They don’t need to hunt you down, ask for the check, and track whether or not the payment cleared. Your upfront payment will reduce their management headaches.

#2: Negotiate a Discount for a Longer Lease Term

Did the landlord or property manager say “no” to Request #1? Don’t get discouraged. Instead, try another tactic: Ask for a discount in exchange for a longer lease term, such as a two-year or three-year lease.

Why would they be motivated to grant this? A few reasons:

• Vacancy is expensive. Every month your unit sits empty is a month that they’re forgoing rental income. By signing a longer lease, you’re protecting your landlord from that vacancy.
• Turnover is a hassle. Your landlord needs to conduct a move-out inspection, post advertisements, answer calls and emails, host showings, meet the new tenant for a lease signing and move-in walk-through … these tasks demand their precious time. And time is money. By signing a longer lease, you’re reducing their workload.

Emphasize those advantages when you lobby for a lower rent rate.

#3: Get a Roommate

You might not be jazzed at the idea of sharing your refrigerator with a total stranger, but a roommate will (effectively) chop your current rent in half.

(And if you can find a roomie who’s a frequent business traveler, you’ve really scored: you’ll get the price-reduction benefits without the lack-of-privacy drawbacks.)

What if you live in a one-bedroom or studio apartment? When your lease term expires, look at moving into a two-bedroom that you share with a roommate. Your personal portion of the rent will likely be lower.

Paying for half of a two-bedroom unit is usually cheaper than paying for a single one-bedroom, because the “overhead” (the kitchen, the living room) is consolidated.

#4: Go Green

If you can’t lower your rent, focus on reducing your utility bills (while also protecting the planet):

• Remove your incandescent lightbulbs. Replace these with compact-fluorescent bulbs (CFLs) or LEDs.
• Unplug appliances when they’re not in use.
• Wash your clothes in cold water.
• Take shorter showers.
• Add weather-stripping around your doors and windows. (This only costs a couple dollars at the hardware store, and it can make a massive difference in your utility bill.)
• Buy a “window insulation kit” (sometimes called “insulation film” or “window shrink wrap.”) This adds another layer of insulation to the windows throughout the winter months, lowering your heating bills.
• Hang heavy drapes or curtains by the windows, to further reduce drafty cold air from seeping in. (Leave the curtains open during the daytime so that sunlight can warm your room).
• Keep your thermostat at reasonable temperatures. Wear a light jacket and hat indoors during the winter, rather than running the heater at full blast. Likewise, wear sleeveless shirts and drink plenty of water in the summers, rather than over-relying on the air-conditioner.

#5: Live in a Pedestrian-Friendly Zone

Choose an apartment that’s located in a pedestrian-friendly or bike-friendly area. Save on the cost of gasoline by walking or biking to work, to the grocery store, to the local farmer’s market, or to your neighborhood restaurants and bars.

What if these aren’t located in the same area? Which of these is most important?

First and foremost, live close to work. You (presumably) go to work more often than you hit the bars or head to the grocery store.

Once you’ve mastered that, look for a location that’s close to other spots you frequent, such as your gym, grocery store, or dry-cleaners.

Speaking of which …

#6: Look for Public Spaces

If possible, look for an apartment that’s close to public spaces like city parks or beaches. This offers two benefits: First, you can drop your gym membership and start working out in the park instead. Second, you can skip the overpriced happy hours and hang out in the park with your friends instead.

In other words, public spaces provide free entertainment, which allows you to save money. And if you live close enough to walk there, you’re enjoying added savings.

What other resources have you employed to help save on rent?

What's Up With Mexico Utilities - Water, Toilets and Phone?

gomexico.about.com

By Kathleen Crislip

Question: What's Up With Mexico Utilities - Water, Toilets and Phone?

Answer: Yes, you can drink the water in Mexico. Carefully.

About Drinking the Water in Mexico

Drinking the water from the tap in Mexico is asking for digestive trouble unless you're going to be there for more than six months and your innards can get used to the local bugs. Even then, you may be ingesting parasites and raw sewage that can cause the mega travelers' trots.

• Hotel room tap water
  • Sink water - even the cheapest Mexico hotel will supply bottled water in your room if the tap water is not potable (shouldn't be drunk). If you don't see bottled water in your Mexico hotel room, look for aplaque or sign proclaiming potable tap water; even with that disclaimer, you may prefer bottled water but you can be assured brushing your teeth is safe.
  • Shower water - if you can't drink the sink water (see above paragaph), don't let the shower water into your mouth. A partial mouthful of water in Mexico is enough to make you sick. Nothing in the water is going to hurt your external body during a shower.

Tip: remember to buy extra bottled water for your hotel room at night if you're drinking booze -- don't be double sick the next day from dehydration *and* guzzling the tap water.

About the Toilet in Mexico

If there is a wastepaper basket next to a toilet in Mexico, it means you are to deposit your used toilet paper in the wastepaper basket. The wastebasket's placement may mean that a septic system is in use which can't handle loads of toilet paper without expensive maintenance. It's tough not to automatically put toilet paper in the toilet in Mexico -- remembering that you could accidentally wreak havoc helps.

How to Make a Phone Call in Mexico

The long distance code in Mexico is 01. If calling the United States, first dial 001. To make other international calls, dial 00, and then the country and state and / or city (area) codes.

You can buy phone cards good for making calls in Mexico for 30, 50 and 100 pesos (about $3-5-10 USD).

Emergency Mexico phone numbers
• Police - 060
• Fire department and ambulance - 080
• Highway emergencies - 078
• Tourist security - (55) 5250-0123 (it's meant to be used)

Call (55) 5658-1111 in Mexico for Mexico information (like 411). Use country code 52 if calling Mexico from another country.

Women's Bathroom Tips in Mexico

• Don't flush tampons; put them in the same wastebasket used for toilet paper.
• Don't count on finding machines dispensing tampons or pads in public bathrooms, including those in hotels or restaurants.

Jumapan Hopes to Generate 35 Million Pesos in “Forgiveness Period”

by Murry Page on 10 Jul 14 in Latest News, Local News | 0 Comment |  Print |

Rigoberto Félix Díaz, Chief Executive Officer for Jumapan, said that hopefully its program of waiving 100 percent of all penalties and fines that have been imposed upon delinquent customers during the period July 5 through August 6 and 50 percent of those penalties and fines for the remainder of August will have a positive impact of the agency’s delinquent accounts.

The CEO said that currently there is a total of 115 million pesos ($8.85 million) in uncollected past due accounts and they hope to collect 30 percent, or almost 35 million pesos ($2.7 million), of that delinquency through the state approved forgiveness program.

Rigoberto Félix added that Jumapan has over 143,000 customers, but about half of them are delinquent in the payments for services provided by Jumapan.

(from El Debate)