Half a million people lack access to safe drinking water in Tamaulipas
Half a million people lack access to safe drinking water in Tamaulipas Texas Public Radio
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More than Half a Million People in Tamaulipas Lack Access to Clean Drinking Water
According to a recent report from the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), over half a million people in the Mexican state of Tamaulipas do not have access to clean drinking water.
Persistent Water Supply and Drainage Issues in Tamaulipas
Despite efforts since 2012 to achieve universal access to water, including initiatives like cloud seeding for rainfall stimulation, the distribution of water storage tanks, and government incentives for conservation, serious water supply and drainage issues continue to persist in the region.
Water Supply Reduction in Reynosa
Carlos Peña Ortiz, the mayor of the border city of Reynosa, announced that starting on December 15, the National Water Commission (CONAGUA) will reduce the water supply to the city, resulting in only about 60% of the normal supply capacity.
Ortiz explained that this cut is due to the absence of the usual water transfer from the El Cuchillo Dam in Nuevo León to Tamaulipas this year, given the state’s current emergency water scarcity.
Possible Solution: Activation of Groundwater Wells
As an emergency measure, the activation of groundwater wells in various sectors of Reynosa is being considered. Mayor Ortiz stated that the purpose of opening these wells is to direct the water towards the city’s intakes and store it in regulating reservoirs to sustain the water supply for a few months.
Impact on International Water Obligations
The ongoing drought in northern Mexico has affected the tributaries that feed water reservoirs, raising doubts about Mexico’s ability to fulfill its water payments to the U.S. and farmers in South Texas as part of an international treaty.
Mexico, currently four years behind in expected water supply, does not have enough water to meet its obligations for water payments to the U.S. in 2024.
Efforts to Address Water Debt
U.S. IBWC Commissioner Maria-Elena Giner has been meeting with growers and farmers in the region to address Mexico’s water debt. She stated at a recent public meeting in Mercedes, Texas that she is working with her Mexican counterparts to update the treaty with Mexico.
Impact on Agriculture in South Texas
Low water levels have prevented farmers in South Texas from cultivating crops such as watermelon, onions, and citrus in the Rio Grande Valley.
In November, Texas voters approved Proposition 6, which created the Texas Water Fund and allocated $1 billion for new water projects in the state. These projects may include infrastructure to help farmers in the region become less dependent on the Rio Grande watershed.
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