Texas Governor Greg Abbott and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) have called on Mexico to address its failure to meet water delivery obligations under the 1944 Water Treaty. The treaty requires Mexico to deliver a minimum of 350,000 acre-feet of water each year to the Rio Grande River, averaged over five-year cycles.
“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 added, “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 latest cycle under the treaty ended on October 24, 2025, with Mexico failing to deliver a total obligation of 1.75 million acre-feet. Preliminary data suggests that there is still a deficit exceeding 800,000 acre-feet—equivalent to about two and a half years’ worth of required deliveries—pending final accounting by the International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC). In contrast, U.S. obligations on the Colorado River have been consistently met.
A study by Texas A&M University found that economic losses in the Rio Grande Valley reached $994 million in 2023 due to these shortages.
In response to record-low levels at Falcon and Amistad reservoirs last year, Texas was forced to accept water from non-designated sources downstream, preventing storage for future use.
Senators John Cornyn and Ted Cruz recently introduced legislation aimed at ensuring Mexico fulfills its treaty commitments. The Ensuring Predictable and Reliable Water Deliveries Act of 2025 would limit engagement with Mexico until it meets its water delivery obligations.
Texas officials plan continued cooperation with federal agencies such as the IBWC and U.S. Department of Agriculture to address regional water needs.
