Significant Environmental Infrastructure Work Done by BECC in Nogales

The officer of this bi-national organization highlighted BECC’s role in the certification of the “Los Alisos” Wastewater Treatment and Conduction Project, worth $19.3 million dollars.  The project involves the construction of a wastewater treatment plant with a capacity of 220 liters per second and includes construction of a conduction project to carry wastewater to the plant.

BECC, he assured, has participated in the certification of twenty seven environmental infrastructure projects in Sonora, benefitting among other cities, the cities of Agua Prieta, Nogales, San Luis Rio Colorado, Puerto Peñasco, Sonoyta, Cananea, Naco, Sásabe-Caborca, Santa Ana and Santa Cruz.

“More than $565 million dollars have been invested in the certified environmental infrastructure projects, however Nogales has been one of the cities that has benefitted the most, and in which undoubtedly, we will continue to work”, said the BECC representative.

The Mayor of Nogales, Jose Angel Hernandez Barajas, stated that the focus of the workshop was to balance and exchange information related to water management in the region occupied by both Nogales.  He recognized the work of the BECC and the North American Development Bank (NADBank) in the development of projects in this city

“During the last five years, maintenance to large scale water and sewage projects in Nogales has been able to be conducted, projects which undoubtedly have an enormous strategic value”, he added.

“Los Alisos” Solar Energy Project

Francisco Gastelum Ceballos, Director of the Nogales Municipal Potable Water, Sewage & Drainage Operating System (Oomapas), indicated that the “Los Alisos” Wastewater Treatment Plant and Conduction Project, contemplates the construction of a solar energy project to supply electrical energy.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), National Water Commission (Conagua), Sonora Water Commission (CEA) and Oomapas will finance the solar energy phase of the project.

In his remarks, the BECC Deputy General Manager stated that it will be the first project of this type to be carried out in the country and will supply practically all of the electric energy needs required by the plant

Bi-National Workshop

The workshop was conducted in Nogales and its objective was to encourage the exchange of information and experiences aimed at water conservation, utilization and treatment in the trans border region of both Nogales, in order to strengthen cooperation between the two countries.

The workshop, organized by the Colegio de la Frontera (Colef), was attended by water officials from both Nogales, as well as from the University of Sonora, the University of Arizona and local officials.