Sun, 13 Jul 2025

Sun, 13 Jul 2025 The deepening water shortage row between the US and Mexico

The US is accusing its southern neighbour of breaking a long-held water sharing agreement.

* The town has not seen rain in 30 months, prompting locals to plead for divine intervention.
* Lake Toronto's reservoir, La Boquilla, is at critically low levels, with water levels 26.52 meters below the high-water mark and less than 14% of its capacity.
* The drought has been ongoing since 2017, with no relief in sight. Cross-Border Water Dispute:
* Mexico owes the US approximately 1.5 billion cubic meters of water under a 1944 agreement.
* The US has threatened to withhold water from the Colorado River unless Mexico fulfills its obligations.
* Tensions have been rising, with clashes between farmers and authorities in La Boquilla's sluice gates in September 2020. Agricultural Efficiency:
* Mexican farmers argue that they are not obligated to send water north when their own needs are not met.
* The US complains about wasteful farming practices in Mexico, such as flooding fields with water from irrigation channels.
* Some Mexican farmers have adopted more efficient sprinkler systems, but costs and infrastructure limitations hinder widespread adoption. Impact on Local Communities:
* The drought has devastated the tourism industry in Chihuahua, which relies on a healthy marine ecosystem.
* Locals are praying for rain to alleviate the situation, with some fearing an existential threat to agriculture and drinking water supplies.
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