Authorities seek to strengthen coordination to implement stormwater drainage in Torreón.

In a private meeting held at the National Water Commission (Conagua) facilities, authorities from all three levels of government met with the director of the Northern Central Basins Agency, Juan Gabriel Riestra Beltrán, to follow up on the ambitious project to build a Comprehensive Storm Drainage System for the city of Torreón. This project aims to mitigate the flooding problem that affects the population every rainy season.

During the meeting, Local deputy Felipe González Miranda confirmed that the federal folio of the project remains valid. and is eligible to receive federal funds earmarked through Branch 16, earmarked for the operation and maintenance of water infrastructure. The project, which has even been presented internationally, includes funding of 1.859 billion pesos.

He emphasized the firm commitment of Governor Manolo Jiménez and Mayor Román Alberto Cepeda to carry out this project of great social impact. In this regard, it was agreed that starting next week, the City Council, the State Government, and the Local Congress, along with Federal Representative Verónica Martínez, will work to meet three key requirements: advancing the legal process for the land through which the pipeline will pass; submitting the environmental impact study to Semarnat; and updating the executive project, which will require specialized support.

In addition to the drainage project, the progress of the Agua Saludable project for La Laguna, considered one of the most important water projects in the region, was reviewed. According to data provided by Riestra Beltrán, Progress is reported to be close to 90 percent, and work is expected to be completed in December of this year.

The meeting was attended by key officials, including Roberto Escalante, director of Simas Torreón; Juan Adolfo von Bertrab, director of Public Works for Torreón; a representative from Simas Rural; as well as the aforementioned representatives and other institutional representatives.

González Miranda considered this initiative a firm step toward protecting Torreón families from weather events, and that inter-institutional collaboration will be vital to making stormwater drainage a reality as soon as possible.