U.S. and Mexican officials are making progress on updating a 1944 water treaty that directly affects farmers and ranchers in Texas and the Southwest. Mexican leadership has taken early steps tied to the negotiations, including increasing water deliveries ahead of a final agreement. U.S. officials say those actions are encouraging and hope Mexico continues moving in that direction.
Luke Lindberg, U.S. Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs, is among those leading the negotiations. He notes that talks have already resulted in Mexico releasing 202,000 acre-feet of water to the United States, with deliveries beginning in mid-December. This initial release is seen as an important signal of Mexico’s willingness to address long-standing concerns tied to the treaty.
According to Lindberg, there are two main issues at stake. The first is securing a clear plan to ensure Mexico meets its future annual water obligations. Under the treaty, Mexico owes the U.S. about 350,000 acre-feet of water each year, deliveries that have fallen short in recent years. The recent water release is intended to serve as a starting point toward meeting those commitments, providing relief for farmers in Texas and the broader Southwest.
The second major focus is repayment of Mexico’s outstanding water debt. Water obligations are measured in five-year cycles, and the most recent cycle ended earlier this year. U.S. officials expect a final commitment from Mexico by January 31 outlining how it will fully repay the remaining water debt and bring the account back into balance.
