Following a recent agreement between U.S. and Mexican authorities, Mexico is required to make water deliveries to the Rio Grande Valley, Texas. This development comes after Gov. Greg Abbott directed the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) to accept an offer of water from the San Juan River by Mexico, amidst concerns over Mexico's compliance with the 1944 Water Treaty obligations. Abbott emphasized the importance of water for agriculture and local economies in the Rio Grande Valley, criticizing Mexico's failure to meet treaty obligations.
The agreement, ensuring regular water deliveries to Texas, was signed after U.S. and Mexican authorities came to terms on Nov. 7. This followed legislative actions by the U.S. Congress and the election of President-elect Donald Trump, aimed at ensuring Texas receives the water it is owed under the 1944 treaty. Despite Mexico's offer of 120,000 acre-feet of water, Abbott highlighted it as insufficient compared to the 1.75 million acre-feet required over a five-year cycle but accepted the offer pending TCEQ's approval.
Abbott also pointed out that the treaty specifies water sharing from six named tributaries, which does not include the San Juan River, challenging the agreement's adherence to the treaty. He stressed the growing water deficit under the treaty, projecting a significant shortfall by October 2025 if Mexico does not take action.
The urgency of this agreement is underscored by the impact on Texas agriculture, particularly after the closure of the state's last sugar operation in the Rio Grande Valley, attributed to water shortages due to treaty non-compliance. The treaty, established to manage water usage and conservation, has been criticized for not prioritizing American agricultural interests in South Texas, leading to calls for action from both Democratic and Republican lawmakers
As the current water cycle progresses, with Mexico having delivered 425,405 acre-feet of water since October 2020, the focus remains on fulfilling the treaty's requirement of 1.75 million acre-feet by October 2025, amidst record low water storage levels in international reservoirs.
Source: The Gazette