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Texas: Governor Abbott Demands Action On Mexico's Water Treaty Violation

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~ In a recent statement, Governor Greg Abbott and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) have demanded that Mexico take immediate action to address their failure to meet the minimum delivery obligations to the United States under the 1944 Water Treaty.

According to Governor Abbott, Mexico must be held accountable for their repeated breaches of the long-standing water agreement. He expressed concern over the impact of Mexico's neglect on Texas farmers, who are facing preventable hardships and a decline in agricultural viability in the Rio Grande Valley. The economic losses resulting from Mexico's failure to supply over two years' worth of water obligations, which amounts to almost 2 million acre-feet, have had a severe negative impact on Texas' agricultural industry. Governor Abbott emphasized that this breach of the 1944 Water Treaty goes against fundamental principles of international law and diplomacy and must be corrected immediately.

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Echoing these sentiments, TCEQ Commissioner Tonya Miller stated that economic losses from delayed water deliveries cannot be recovered. She also highlighted that unless Mexico starts meeting their treaty obligations, communities across the lower Rio Grande Valley will continue to suffer.

The latest five-year cycle under the 1944 Water Treaty between the United States and Mexico ended on October 24, 2025. However, Mexico failed to meet its minimum delivery obligations of 1.75 million acre-feet. As per the treaty, Mexico is required to deliver a minimum of 350,000 acre-feet of water annually to the Rio Grande River over five-year cycles. Preliminary data suggests that Mexico has a remaining delivery deficit of over 800,000 acre-feet – equivalent to approximately two and a half years' worth of required deliveries. These figures are subject to change pending final accounting by the International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC).

It is worth noting that while the United States has consistently met its delivery obligations on the Colorado River under this treaty, Mexico has significantly breached its commitments on the Rio Grande River. A study conducted by Texas A&M University estimated economic losses in the Rio Grande Valley at $994 million in 2023 alone.

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Last year, due to record-low levels in the Falcon and Amistad reservoirs, Texas was forced to accept water from Mexico through non-designated sources. These deliveries were downstream of the reservoirs, preventing Texas from capturing water that was not immediately needed.

In response to these ongoing issues, Senators John Cornyn and Ted Cruz have proposed the Ensuring Predictable and Reliable Water Deliveries Act of 2025. This legislation aims to hold Mexico accountable for failing to provide water to South Texas as per the 1944 Water Treaty. It also includes measures to limit engagement with the Government of Mexico until they fulfill their obligations to deliver water to the United States.

Moving forward, Texas will be working closely with the International Boundary and Water Commission, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and other federal partners to ensure that water needs in the region are met. The state remains committed to upholding its end of the treaty and expects Mexico to do the same.

Filed Under: Government, State
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