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Turn on the Faucet: Mexico has been slow to pay Rio Grande debt

10:02 PM CDT on Thursday, August 11, 2005


Heartfelt applause greeted Mexican officials' decision in March after tense negotiations to meet their water obligation to the Rio Grande.

President Vicente Fox's government turned on the spigot right away and repaid a big chunk of his country's water debt, which dates to 1992. Unfortunately, the repayments slowed to a trickle through most of the summer, until a limited transfer in late July and another one this week.

The result is that Mexico still owes the Rio Grande about 125,000 acre-feet of water (an acre-foot is the amount needed to submerge one acre in a foot of water). That's down considerably from a year ago, but the backlog remains substantial, especially when you consider that Mexico must contribute an additional 200,000 acre-feet to the river under the terms of a 1944 treaty.

All told, Mexico needs to put more than 300,000 acre-feet into the Rio Grande, and the clock is ticking. Its deadline is Sept. 30. Produce growers on both sides of the river depend on Mr. Fox delivering on his promise.

Fortunately, Mexico has plenty of water in storage at the Amistad and Falcon reservoirs along the Rio Grande. If the Fox government so chose, it could transfer the reserves tomorrow and resolve the situation. Why it does not is a matter of speculation, from waiting for a natural solution (i.e., a big rain) to perhaps a reluctance to wrangle with some governors del norte.

This issue is more than a deal between international neighbors.

Farmers in South Texas and Northern Mexico need Rio Grande water to grow grapefruits, melons and other crops. When they have to cut back because of water shortages, their livelihoods are bruised. What's more, their delicious crops cost consumers more in places like North Texas, which is how this affects you.

Everyone clapped when Mexico agreed to make good on its water debt. Now, Mr. Fox needs to take the next step. As a good politician, we're sure he knows everyone will cheer again when he does.