Texas Governor Demands Mexico Fulfill Water Treaty Obligations Amidst Mounting Economic Losses

Governor Abbott Calls for Immediate Action

Austin, Texas – Governor Greg Abbott of Texas, alongside the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), has formally demanded that Mexico immediately fulfill its water delivery obligations under the 1944 Water Treaty. The governor's call for action comes as the latest five-year water cycle concluded on October 24, 2025, with Mexico reportedly failing to meet its minimum delivery requirements to the United States.

Governor Abbott stated, 'Mexico must be held accountable for their continued breaches of our long-standing water agreement.' He emphasized that Mexico's 'pattern of neglect' has led to 'preventable hardship' and an 'erosion of the agricultural viability of the Rio Grande Valley' for Texas farmers.

The 1944 Water Treaty and Mexico's Deficit

The 1944 Water Treaty, officially known as the Treaty on Utilization of Waters of the Colorado and Tijuana Rivers and of the Rio Grande, is a cooperative agreement between the United States and Mexico. It defines the allocation of water from the Rio Grande to the U.S. and the Colorado River to Mexico. Under the treaty, Mexico is obligated to deliver a minimum of 350,000 acre-feet of water annually to the Rio Grande, averaged over five-year cycles, totaling 1.75 million acre-feet per cycle. In return, the U.S. consistently delivers 1.5 million acre-feet from the Colorado River to Mexico each year.

However, Mexico has consistently struggled to meet its Rio Grande delivery obligations since the 1990s. Preliminary data for the cycle ending October 24, 2025, indicates a remaining delivery deficit of over 800,000 acre-feet of water, which is equivalent to approximately two and a half years of required deliveries. Some reports suggest a projected deficit of 1.3 million acre-feet by October 2025 if no further action is taken.

Devastating Impact on Texas Agriculture

The ongoing water deficit has had severe economic repercussions for Texas, particularly for farmers in the Rio Grande Valley who rely heavily on these water allocations for irrigation. A study by Texas A&M University estimated nearly $1 billion in losses from crop production alone in 2023 due to Mexico's violations.

The lack of water has led to a range of negative consequences:

• Reduced crop yields and financial losses for farmers.
• Increased food prices due to agricultural shortages.
• Job losses in farming communities and related industries.
• The closure of the last sugar mill in South Texas, which operated for over 50 years, was directly attributed to the water shortage.

TCEQ Commissioner Tonya Miller highlighted the severity, stating, 'Economic losses from delayed water deliveries cannot be recovered. Texas communities across the lower Rio Grande Valley will continue to suffer unless Mexico starts meeting their treaty obligations.'

Mexico's Response and Legislative Efforts

In April 2025, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum announced that Mexico would begin releasing water to Texas farmers, responding to threats of tariffs and economic sanctions from the U.S. Mexico offered 120,000 acre-feet from the San Juan River, which Texas accepted. However, Governor Abbott criticized crediting this water against treaty obligations, asserting that the treaty specifies water must come from six named tributaries, not the San Juan River. Mexico has cited drought conditions as a factor straining its water resources.

In response to the persistent shortfalls, U.S. Senators John Cornyn and Ted Cruz proposed the 'Ensuring Predictable and Reliable Water Deliveries Act of 2025.' This legislation aims to hold Mexico accountable and would limit U.S. engagement with Mexico until treaty obligations are met. The senators also suggested integrating the water treaty into future trade discussions under the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement.