In a decisive move to address the water scarcity in the Rio Grande Valley, Texas Governor Greg Abbott has instructed the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) to take up Mexico's offer of San Juan River water. As reported by the Governor's office, Abbott emphasized the critical importance of water for the sustenance of local agriculture and businesses in South Texas, pointing to Mexico's failure to meet their water-sharing obligations as per the 1944 Water Treaty between the United States and Mexico.
The specifics of Mexico's proposition, offering 120,000 acre-feet of water, appears as an interim solution to the more prominent issue of Mexico's larger debt under the Treaty – totaling 1.75 million acre-feet every five years. Abbott argued that the communities along the Rio Grande Valley cannot afford to wait, and hence, Texas is ready to accept the offer, "pending TCEQ’s ultimate approval of the operational procedures." However, the acceptance is not without contention. There are differing interpretations about whether water from the San Juan River can be counted towards Mexico's obligations – a position that Texas disagrees with, according to the Office of the Texas Governor.
This gesture comes at a time when Texas grapples with a projected water deficit. By October 2025, the state anticipates a shortfall of 1.3 million acre-feet, stemming from Mexico's non-compliance with the treaty agreement. The 1944 Water Treaty, extensive in its reach, mandates an equitable distribution of resources from the Colorado and Rio Grande rivers between the neighboring countries. Mexico's current deficit is reported to be the largest on record since the Treaty's inception.
While the offer provides temporary relief, the ongoing dispute over Mexico's water obligations remains unresolved, with uncertainty about future deliveries. The International Boundary and Water Commission's view differs from Texas's position. Governor Abbott's proclamation states that the Treaty requires water from six specific tributaries, excluding the San Juan River.
