MERCEDES, Texas (Border Report) — Maria-Elena Giner wishes she were a “water fairy” with more good news about water deliveries from Mexico to South Texas.
The head of the U.S. International Water and Boundary Commission also joked during a meeting of the Lower Rio Grande Citizens Forum that she had “failed” the region in her capacity as a diplomat between the United States and Mexico and convincing Mexican authorities to release more water.
“I have not given up,” Giner said Tuesday. “I continue to press them.”
But she says Mexico isn’t the only one to blame.
The IBWC presented a hydrology report showing that the United States has had a 33% decrease in water contributions to the Rio Grande in the past decade. Mexico has had a 52% decrease, she said.
Part of that is attributed to decreasing streams and wild swings in water flows from the Pecos and Devils rivers in Texas. She attributes that to population growth, drought, a lack of storage infrastructure, and evaporation.
The report found that there were 4.6 million fewer acre-feet in total U.S. inflows in the last decade compared to the 1980s.
One acre-foot of water is equal to 325,851 gallons of water, or enough water to fill two Olympic-sized swimming pools.
“This basin is wild,” IBWC hydrologist Delbert Humberson said. “Some days are good and some days are bad.”
Humberson says the decline in water to the international river has been steadily increasing year after year since the 1980s.
Nevertheless, the United States always pays the water it owes, under the 1944 international treaty.
But for several five-year cycles, Mexico has not.
Mexico owes the United States 1.75 million acre-feet of water over a five-year cycle, according to the treaty.
The current cycle ends in October 2025, but Mexico has only paid, so far, just under 400,000 acre-feet of water — that’s about one year’s worth of water.
Giner warns that the rainy season ends in October and even drier days are coming.
She and other experts doubt Mexico will be able to make up the deficit before the deadline. And they’re preparing for alternative solutions and coping with less water.
“I wish I could be the water fairy,” Giner said.
The two South Texas border reservoirs have been at historic lows this summer.
Amistad Reservoir, near Del Rio, is currently at 19% capacity. Falcon Dam, in Starr County, is at 12% capacity, according to the latest data from IBWC.
The agency’s website shows in real-time requests for water from the United States to Mexico and how Mexico continually releases much less water than is asked.
“We can’t expect Mexico to deliver all this water. Even if they did, we’d still be in arrears. So we are in a bit of a pickle in this region,” Giner said.
When asked when Mexico might agree to change an international treaty between the countries that could allow Mexico to pay the United States quicker, she said she couldn’t even guess a date.
Giner and other officials have been trying since last year to get Mexican officials to change the 1944 treaty. Changes are made in the form of a “minute.” If approved, the new minute would allow Mexico City to send water directly to South Texas without having to deliver water to the Mexican state of Tamaulipas first.
“Water is vital to both countries. We are in a long-term relationship with Mexico, and we really have to think about growing the pie for the region — both on the U.S. and Mexico. And working collectively, I think we could come to a solution. It’s hard, and it will be hard, and it will be a lot of emotion behind it, right? But I’m really laser-focused on ensuring that this region — the South Texas region –not only gets its fair share but also that they have the information that they need to advocate for themselves and their needs,” Giner told Border Report.
Mexican President-Elect Claudia Sheinbaum this summer met with several members of Congress, and told South Texas Rep. Vicente Gonzalez that Mexico will pay the water it owes the United States.
“We’re not just about signing the minute. We think that will make it easier for Mexico to deliver the water. But actually delivering the water is critical,” Giner said.
On Wednesday, U.S. Rep. Monica De La Cruz, R-Texas, announced the formation of the South Texas Water Working Group, and she has invited several leaders from the region to take on the water issue and look to long-term solutions.
“Water is a critical resource for our agricultural sector, businesses, and families. The South Texas Water Working Group will bring together diverse stakeholders to address our water challenges head-on and find sustainable solutions,” De La Cruz said. “As we continue to press Mexico to adhere to the 1944 Water Treaty obligations, it’s essential that we also look inward and develop strategies that will serve our communities for generations to come.”
The group is expected to start meeting at the end of the month. Members include state Sen. Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa, state Rep. Terry Canales, D-Edinburg, and representatives from the Texas Farm Bureau and other agriculture agencies.
Former McAllen Mayor Jim Darling has also been appointed to the group. He also chairs the Region M Water Planning Group, which is under the Texas Water Development Board.
Darling told Border Report that lamenting a lack of water payments from Mexico won’t keep the faucets running and the fields watered.
“We’re making demands – ‘You pay up that debt right now.’ Well, they couldn’t do that under the treaty. There’s not enough water in it (the river). So maybe sitting down and getting realistic for that is the solution,” Darling said.
“Concentrating on long-term solutions, that’s what we need to do,” Darling said.
Sandra Sanchez can be reached at SSanchez@BorderReport.com.