Background on the 1944 Water Treaty
The International Water Treaty between Mexico and the United States, signed on February 3, 1944, outlines that Mexico allocates water from the Rio Grande to the U.S., while the U.S. provides water from the Colorado River to Mexico. The treaty specifies that water delivery accounting occurs over five-year cycles, with any shortfalls during extraordinary droughts being carried forward to the next cycle.
Mexico’s Water Debt to the U.S.
On April 10, President Donald Trump warned that Mexico had a significant water delivery debt to the U.S., providing him with another reason to threaten tariffs if Mexico fails to address the situation.
“Mexico owes the U.S. 1.3 million acres-feet of water under the 1944 Water Treaty, but unfortunately, Mexico is violating its obligation under the treaty,” Trump posted on his social media platform, Truth Social.
Details of the Water Debt
According to the 1944 treaty, Mexico is required to deliver an average of 432 million cubic meters of water from the Rio Grande over five-year cycles. In case of shortfalls, the treaty allows for compensation in the following cycle, from 2025 to 2030.
As of March last year, Mexico owed 1.555.9 billion cubic meters of water, which should have been delivered before the current cycle’s close in October. However, during this quinquennial period, Mexico has sent less than 30% of the necessary water, according to data from the International Boundary and Water Commission (CILA).
Government Responses and Commitments
The Mexican section of CILA will monitor the execution of these actions and the evolution of conditions within the basin, in collaboration with Mexico’s National Water Commission (Conagua). The goal is to create a plan for the next cycle of the 1944 treaty, ensuring Mexico’s compliance with its commitments from this and the following cycle, including a high-level annual consultation mechanism.
Both Mexico and the U.S. governments agreed that the 1944 treaty benefits both countries, so renegotiation is not deemed necessary.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reported that the Mexican government committed to transferring water from international reservoirs and increasing U.S. participation in the flow of six tributaries of the Rio Grande until the end of the current five-year hydrological cycle.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the 1944 Water Treaty between Mexico and the U.S.? It is an agreement that outlines the sharing of water from the Rio Grande and Colorado River between the two countries.
- What is Mexico’s water delivery debt to the U.S.? As of March 2022, Mexico owed approximately 1.555.9 billion cubic meters of water, which should have been delivered before the current cycle’s close in October 2023. However, during this quinquennial period, Mexico has sent less than 30% of the necessary water.
- What actions have been taken to address the debt? The Mexican and U.S. governments have agreed to transfer more water from international reservoirs and increase U.S. participation in the flow of six tributaries of the Rio Grande until the end of the current hydrological cycle.
- Is the 1944 treaty being renegotiated? No, both governments agree that the treaty benefits both countries and does not require renegotiation.
