Texas Governor Greg Abbott and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) have called on Mexico to address its failure to fulfill water delivery obligations under the 1944 Water Treaty between the United States and Mexico.
“Mexico must be held accountable for their continued breaches of our long-standing water agreement,” said Governor Abbott. “Because of their pattern of neglect, Texas farmers are enduring preventable hardship and an erosion of the agricultural viability of the Rio Grande Valley. The significant economic loss from Mexico’s failure to supply more than two years’ worth of water obligations—almost 2 million acre-feet—has had a severe negative impact on Texas’ agricultural industry. The breach of the 1944 Water Treaty violates foundational elements of international law and diplomacy and must be corrected immediately.”
TCEQ Commissioner Tonya Miller stated, “Economic losses from delayed water deliveries cannot be recovered. Texas communities across the lower Rio Grande Valley will continue to suffer unless Mexico starts meeting their treaty obligations.”
The most recent five-year cycle under the treaty ended on October 24, 2025, with Mexico missing its minimum delivery requirement by over 800,000 acre-feet, according to preliminary data pending final confirmation by the International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC). Under this agreement, Mexico is supposed to deliver at least 350,000 acre-feet annually into the Rio Grande River, averaged over each five-year period.
While U.S. commitments regarding Colorado River deliveries have been met consistently, officials note that Mexico has repeatedly failed to meet its own requirements for deliveries along the Rio Grande.
A study by Texas A&M University estimated that economic losses in the Rio Grande Valley reached $994 million in 2023 due to these shortfalls.
In response to record-low levels in Falcon and Amistad reservoirs last year, Texas accepted water delivered by Mexico from non-designated sources downstream from these reservoirs. This arrangement prevented storage of surplus water for future use.
Senators John Cornyn and Ted Cruz recently introduced legislation titled Ensuring Predictable and Reliable Water Deliveries Act of 2025. The proposed bill aims to hold Mexico accountable for failing to provide required water supplies under the treaty and would restrict certain engagements with Mexico until it fulfills its commitments.
Texas officials say they will work with federal agencies including IBWC and the U.S. Department of Agriculture as well as other partners to address ongoing regional water needs.
