Background on the Water Concession System in Mexico
The National Water Commission (CONAGUA) in Mexico is conducting an inspection of water concessions as part of the Water Management Plan 2024-2030. This initiative aims to review 535,800 concessions, with 58.8% inspected by the end of May 2025.
Key Findings and Concerns
Felipe Zataráin Mendoza, Subdirector General of Potable Water, Drainage, and Sanitation at CONAGUA, reported that the inspections have uncovered various issues. A significant concern is the misuse of agricultural concessions for purposes other than their intended use, such as filling water tankers. As of May 2025, nearly 2,300 such incidents have been identified, with none resolved.
In total, CONAGUA has detected 14,022 inconsistencies across all concessions, including misuse and missing documentation. Of these, 6,750 have been addressed.
Additionally, 1,818 inspection visits have led to 248 closures or suspensions, primarily due to unauthorized extraction of national subsurface waters.
Increasing Water Concessions and Legislative Changes
Zataráin highlighted the substantial growth in water concessions over the past few decades. In 1992, there were only 2,600 registered licenses. However, following the enactment of the National Water Law on December 1, 1992, this number surged to over 360,000 within a decade.
To emphasize the importance of water as a vital resource rather than a commodity, CONAGUA plans to implement five actions. Among them are promoting reforms to the National Water Law and drafting a General Water Law.
Water Concession Oversight and Agricultural Irrigation Technification
To regulate water concession usage, CONAGUA proposes reviewing titles “one by one,” establishing the National Water Register for Well-being, and issuing an administrative facilitation decree to regularize expired concessions.
Regarding the agricultural irrigation technification program, CONAGUA aims to modernize 200,000 hectares, benefiting more than 225,000 agricultural producers through 18 investment projects in 15 entities, including Baja California, Sonora, Chihuahua, Sinaloa, Guanajuato, Michoacán, and Tabasco.
As of now, this plan has 14 signed agreements and an investment of 6,136 million pesos for the current year. The goal is to achieve efficient water use, stimulate agricultural production, and allocate recovered water for human consumption.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the purpose of the water management plan? The plan aims to inspect 535,800 water concessions and ensure their proper use.
- What issues have been identified during the inspections? Misuse of agricultural concessions for unintended purposes, missing documentation, and unauthorized extraction of national subsurface waters.
- How many water concessions have been inspected so far? 58.8% of the concessions have been inspected by the end of May 2025.
- What legislative changes are being considered? CONAGUA plans to promote reforms to the National Water Law and draft a General Water Law.
- What is the goal of the agricultural irrigation technification program? To modernize 200,000 hectares of agricultural land and promote efficient water use.
