2024-11-09 22:16:00
MEXICO CITY (AP) — Mexico and the United States have announced a deal they hope will resolve Mexico’s default on water-sharing payments in the Rio Grande basin.
According to the International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC), the agreement announced on Saturday provides Mexico with the tools and flexibility to provide water at the beginning of the five-year cycle under the 1944 water treaty between the United States and Mexico.
Suggested tools include better coordination of water conservation, reuse, alternative water sources and other measures.
The treaty operates on a five-year cycle, allowing Mexico to owe water debts in the first four years if they can be offset in the fifth year. That has led to Mexico defaulting on payments, waiting for hurricanes or other heavy rains to bring water to border areas.
That’s frustrating Texas farmers who need reliable water supplies. When a hurricane or tropical storm hits the area, Mexico can catch up, but then the water is no longer needed, and that doesn’t always happen. Mexico has long adopted a wait-and-see approach, but this has led to problems locally and in the United States in the past.
Mexico needs to deliver 430 million cubic meters (350,000 acre-feet) of water per year, or approximately 2.15 billion cubic meters (1.75 million acre-feet) over 5 years. One cubic meter (acre-foot) of water is enough to flood a field with one foot of water. In return, the United States provides Mexico with more water from other sources further west.
But in the current cycle that began in 2020, Mexico has delivered only about 525 million cubic meters (425,000 acre-feet) in total so far, only about a quarter of the five-year period ending in October 2025.
Mexico must release water from dams on tributaries of the Rio Grande, but this has sparked opposition from some Mexican farmers who want to claim it as their own and call it “our water.” The treaty gave the United States rights to one-third of the flow of six Mexican tributaries.
A dispute over water payments to the U.S. escalated into violence in 2020, with angry farmers fighting off National Guard soldiers guarding dams that had to be quickly supplied to the U.S. after Mexico failed to pay its bills for the cycle.
In 2020, Mexico sent National Guard soldiers to protect the La Boquia Dam, but hundreds of farmers fought them off, forcing them to retreat hundreds of meters in an attempt to take control of the dam control room, but failed.
Before that, farmers took over another dam near the border town of Ojinaga. Both dams are located near the Texas border, west of the Big Bend region.
Mexican farmers also burned vehicles and blocked rail lines during conflicts in 2020. In the end, the United States allowed Mexico to transfer rights to water stored in internationally joint reservoirs, a settlement that saved the situation.
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This story was translated from English by AP editors with the help of generated artificial intelligence tools.
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**Interview with Dr. Javier Martinez, Water Resources Expert and Policy Analyst**
**Host:** Good evening, Dr. Martinez, and thank you for joining us today to discuss the recent agreement between Mexico and the United States regarding the Rio Grande water-sharing issue.
**Dr. Martinez:** Thank you for having me. It’s a crucial topic, and I’m glad to share some insights.
**Host:** Let’s start with the key point of the agreement. What are the main elements that both countries have agreed upon?
**Dr. Martinez:** The agreement aims to provide Mexico with more tools and flexibility to manage its water obligations under the 1944 water treaty. This includes better coordination for water conservation, recycling, and exploring alternative water sources. Essentially, the goal is to prevent defaults by ensuring that Mexico can meet its water delivery requirements, particularly at the start of the five-year cycle.
**Host:** The treaty itself operates on a five-year cycle. Can you explain how that affects Mexico’s ability to meet its obligations?
**Dr. Martinez:** Absolutely. Under the treaty, Mexico is allowed to accumulate water debts in the first four years, but it must make up for those in the fifth year. This system has prompted Mexico to adopt a reactive strategy—waiting for significant rainfall or hurricanes to replenish water supplies. The downside is that this wait-and-see approach can lead to frustrations, particularly for Texas farmers who depend on a steady and reliable water supply.
**Host:** It sounds like the increased flexibility could be beneficial. How will the suggested tools change the current situation for water management in the Rio Grande basin?
**Dr. Martinez:** The suggested tools are designed to enhance Mexico’s proactive management of its water resources. By improving conservation efforts and recycling wastewater, Mexico can augment its water supply beyond just natural rainfall. Coordination between the two countries on water management practices can lead to a more sustainable solution that benefits farmers and local communities on both sides of the border.
**Host:** What are the potential challenges that could arise from this agreement?
**Dr. Martinez:** One challenge is the implementation of these tools. Effective water management requires investment, technology, and training. Both countries will need effective communication and collaboration to ensure that the agreement translates into real improvements. Additionally, the underlying climate variability, such as droughts or unexpected weather patterns, could still pose a risk to fulfilling water obligations.
**Host:** It sounds like both nations are optimistic but also need to remain vigilant. In your opinion, how important is this agreement for future U.S.-Mexico relations?
**Dr. Martinez:** This agreement is significant. Water is a vital resource, and disputes can escalate tensions between the two nations. By successfully navigating these challenges together, the two countries not only ensure water security for their citizens but also foster a stronger partnership that could extend to other areas of cooperation. Addressing mutual challenges like water management is a step towards building trust and collaboration.
**Host:** Thank you, Dr. Martinez, for your valuable insights into this pressing issue. It’s clear that effective water management is essential for both nations.
**Dr. Martinez:** Thank you for having me. I hope this agreement serves as a foundation for future cooperation and sustainability in the Rio Grande basin.
