At the U.S.-Mexico border, water tensions are on the rise. A decades-old cross-border treaty guarantees Texas a share of flows from vital rivers and reservoirs. But after years of drought worsened by climate change, Mexico has drained its own reservoirs to fulfill treaty-stipulated deliveries.
With reserves at critically low levels, communities on the Mexican side face uncertainty, from farmers struggling to irrigate fields to urban areas rationing supplies. The squeeze highlights a difficult question: who gets their fair share when every drop counts?
On the U.S. side, Texas officials are monitoring river gauges as levels dip, fearing impacts on agriculture and municipal supply. Back in Mexico, civil society leaders and industry groups are urging authorities to rethink allocation strategies and invest in more resilient infrastructure.
Experts say the dispute underscores the need for innovative, sustainable solutions: smarter water management, cross-border data sharing and investments in efficiency. As climate patterns shift, border communities will have to work together to redesign water diplomacy for the 21st century.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
