As another hot summer approaches, South Texas faces water shortages due to Mexico's failure to meet its obligations under an 80-year-old water treaty.
Martha Pskowski reports for Inside Climate News.
In short:
- Mexico has not met its water delivery obligations to the U.S. as required by a 1944 treaty.
- Farmers and municipalities in South Texas are preparing for significant water cutbacks.
- Political tensions in Mexico and the U.S. are complicating efforts to resolve the water delivery issue.
Key quote:
“We haven’t gotten any rains or significant inflows. It’s not looking good.”
— Maria-Elena Giner, commissioner of the International Boundary and Water Commission
Why this matters:
Water shortages could severely impact agricultural production and municipal water supplies in South Texas. Farmers are already preparing for the worst, anticipating crop losses that could impact the local economy and food supply. Cities are implementing stringent water conservation measures, urging residents to cut back on usage. Health officials warn that the scarcity could lead to increased health risks, particularly for vulnerable populations such as the elderly and young children, who are more susceptible to the effects of extreme heat.
