Water Shortages in Parts of Downtown

(Acapulco, NA 13 November) Businesses in the downtown area of Acapulco strongly protested against CAPAMA, Acapulco’s water authority, for a lack of running water that has been going on for nearly a week. CAPAMA had announced a cut-off of water for 24 hours while pipelines were replaced in the area of Las Cruces on the east side of the tunnel. But the suspension of service has continued for several days beyond that. Hotels and restaurants in the traditional zone of Acapulco have been especially affected by CAPAMA’s decision. The short term solution has been to call in water trucks to fill cisterns, at a cost of $600 pesos per delivery. Complaints against the lack of professionalism and irresponsible behavior of CAPAMA are not new; nevertheless, CAPAMA has typically understood the need to provide water to tourist zones during long weekends like this one. This year, unfortunately, the parastatal company has been unable to support services for tourists in the downtown area. CAPAMA has assured local businesses that service will be restored by next Tuesday. Other areas of tourism, like the Golden Zone and Acapulco Diamante have not been affected.