In an effort to address the ongoing water crisis in the Rio Grande Valley, Governor Greg Abbott has authorized the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) to accept a modest water allotment from Mexico. The agreement will allow 120,000 acre-feet of water to flow from the San Juan River into the Rio Grande, providing some relief to the region’s struggling farmers, businesses, and communities.
The move comes as the Rio Grande Valley grapples with a severe water shortage exacerbated by a prolonged drought, a growing population, and strained water supply systems. Abbott’s directive follows an offer from Mexico to release water from its Marte Gomez reservoir, which currently exceeds 100% capacity after seasonal rains. In contrast, the reservoirs that supply the Rio Grande Valley remain critically low, prompting widespread concern among agricultural operations and local industries dependent on the river for irrigation and water access.
"Water is essential for Texans along the Rio Grande Valley to grow crops and support local communities and businesses," Abbott said in a statement. "Mexico’s blatant abuse and disregard of water obligations under the 1944 Water Treaty must not be allowed to continue. Today, I directed the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to accept a San Juan River water offer from Mexico that will supply our farmers and businesses in the Rio Grande Valley with much-needed water."
The 1944 Water Treaty, which governs the allocation of water between the United States and Mexico, requires Mexico to deliver 1.75 million acre-feet of water every five years to the U.S., with an annual allotment of 350,000 acre-feet. However, Mexico is currently on track to fall 1.3 million acre-feet short of this commitment during the current five-year period, from 2020 to 2025. The deficit has led to increasing tensions between Texas officials and the Mexican government, particularly in light of the ongoing water crisis in the Rio Grande Valley.
In April, South Texas legislators sent a letter to the Biden administration urging the White House to intervene and pressure Mexico to fulfill its obligations under the treaty. To date, the administration has not responded to the request.
The water shortage has had devastating effects on businesses in the region. One sugar mill in the Valley was forced to shut down entirely due to a lack of water, highlighting the critical importance of access to reliable water supplies for both agricultural and industrial operations.
While the 120,000 acre-feet of water offered by Mexico provides some relief, it is far from the amount that Texas officials had hoped for. The deal comes with a significant caveat: the water allocation will count against Mexico’s treaty obligations for the next year. This means that the amount of water Mexico will be required to provide in 2025 will be reduced by the 120,000 acre-feet accepted by Texas.
The dispute over how to account for the water allocation has sparked further controversy. The International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC) has suggested that the water from the San Juan River can be credited toward Mexico’s overall five-year treaty commitments. However, Texas officials, including Governor Abbott, maintain that under the treaty’s terms, Mexico’s commitments can only be satisfied with water from the six specific tributaries named in the agreement.
"While the IBWC apparently takes the position that water from the San Juan River may be credited against Mexico’s five-year Treaty commitments, Texas stands firm in its position — consistent with the text of the Treaty — that those commitments may be satisfied only with water from the six named tributaries," Abbott’s office said in a press release.
This latest dispute adds to a long history of water conflicts between U.S. states and Mexico. A similar situation involving Texas and New Mexico has been ongoing for decades, with the U.S. Supreme Court ultimately halting a settlement and affirming that the federal government holds the right to intervene in these disputes.
The water crisis is expected to remain a top priority for the Texas Legislature in the upcoming session, as droughts across the state, coupled with a rapidly growing population, place increasing pressure on the state’s water resources. While some areas of Texas are not experiencing drought conditions, those that are face mounting challenges in managing water allocations for both current and future needs.
As the situation continues to evolve, many Texans remain hopeful that further action will be taken to secure the water supply necessary for the survival and prosperity of the Rio Grande Valley and the state as a whole. However, with ongoing disputes over the 1944 Water Treaty and no clear resolution in sight, the future of water access in Texas remains uncertain.
