Water & Electric Service
Signing Up For Services
Jumapam is the water company for all of Mazatlán. The company’s main office is located at the intersection of Nájera and Solano.
CFE are the initials for the electric company that covers all of Mexico (think IBM). The company’s office is located on 21 de Marzo just a couple blocks from Jumapam.
Both offices are near the harbor. Any pulmonia driver can get you there.
To have the water or electric put in your name you will need the following:
Proof you own or rent the house or apartment.
A copy of your passport. If you have an FM3 with an address that matches the address for the services, that is also helpful.
It helps to have a copy of the last paid bill for both services. If you bought your house or condo, the last paid bills should be given to you at closing. Otherwise, you may need the full legal address and name of the prior payer.
There are very helpful people at both offices, but more people speak English at CFE. I know people that speak no Spanish and have managed the process. If you don't feel comfortable, take a Mexican friend with you and then pay for lunch.
Other Useful Information
You don't have to change the water or electric bill into your name, but many companies or officials will ask for a copy of your past electric bill to prove you live where you say (SAT - the Mexican IRS, TelMex, most banks, a notario may ask for proof of length of residence at closing if you sell your property as your principle residence, etc.). If you plan to live here most of the year, changing at least the electric bill is a good idea.
I heard the water company is now charging a deposit for a new account.
Your electric bill can be paid online if you have a bank debit card. Both bills can be paid at many local convenience stores (tiendas). We have a shop around the corner that takes both our utility bills and charges 5 pesos.
Bills are hand delivered (yes, not mailed) once a month. They are usually put on your front porch, but finding them sometimes isn't easy. If you have a dog, well our last water bill didn't make it to the company for payment, only the few scraps we found lying around. Apparently, that's not uncommon.
You can prepay both bills. CFE and Jumapam are happy to take your money, but Jumapan only lets you prepay a certain amount (not sure why).
Our average water bill is $4 a month (2 adults, 2 dogs).
Our average electric bill is $45. The bill doesn’t change much as during the summer the government subsidizes everyones electric bill (usually May through November). We run 1 large A/C unit all night in our bedroom and 1 in my office all day. Larger homes with central (split A/C units) will run more like $150 a month.
Please feel free to correct any inaccurate information as its been almost a year since I went to the offices. Or, email me and I will be happy to make the corrections (click on my name below).
Anyone that would like to add a Tel Mex section, go for it.
David Shafer May 5, 2005
