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Water is the other US-Mexico border crisis, and the supply crunch is getting worse
The U.S.-Mexico border is facing a severe water crisis exacerbated by climate change, increased demand, and pollution. Collaborative governance is essential to address these growing challenges effectively.
Gabriel Eckstein, Texas A&M University and Rosario Sanchez, Texas A&M University
Immigration and border security will be the likely focus of U.S.-Mexico relations under the new Trump administration. But there also is a growing water crisis along the U.S.–Mexico border that affects tens of millions of people on both sides, and it can only be managed if the two governments work together.
Climate change is shrinking surface and groundwater supplies in the southwestern U.S. Higher air temperatures are increasing evaporation rates from rivers and streams and intensifying drought. Mexico is also experiencing multiyear droughts and heat waves.
Growing water use is already overtaxing limited supplies from nearly all of the region’s cross-border rivers, streams and aquifers. Many of these sources are contaminated with agricultural pollutants, untreated waste and other substances, further reducing the usability of available water.
As Texas-based scholars who study the legal and scientific aspects of water policy, we know that communities, farms and businesses in both countries rely on these scarce water supplies. In our view, water conditions on the border have changed so much that the current legal framework for managing them is inadequate.
Unless both nations recognize this fact, we believe that water problems in the region are likely to worsen, and supplies may never recover to levels seen as recently as the 1950s. Although the U.S. and Mexico have moved to address these concerns by updating the 1944 water treaty, these steps are not long-term solutions.
Growing demand, shrinking supply
The U.S.-Mexico border region is mostly arid, with water coming from a few rivers and an unknown amount of groundwater. The main rivers that cross the border are the Colorado and the Rio Grande – two of the most water-stressed systems in the world.
The Colorado River provides water to more than 44 million people, including seven U.S. and two Mexican states, 29 Indian tribes and 5.5 million acres of farmland. Only about 10% of its total flow reaches Mexico. The river once emptied into the Gulf of California, but now so much water is withdrawn along its course that since the 1960s it typically peters out in the desert.
The Rio Grande supplies water to roughly 15 million people, including 22 Indian tribes, three U.S. and four Mexican states and 2.8 million irrigated acres. It forms the 1,250-mile (2,000-kilometer) Texas-Mexico border, winding from El Paso in the west to the Gulf of Mexico in the east.
Other rivers that cross the border include the Tijuana, San Pedro, Santa Cruz, New and Gila. These are all significantly smaller and have less economic impact than the Colorado and the Rio Grande.
At least 28 aquifers – underground rock formations that contain water – also traverse the border. With a few exceptions, very little information on these shared resources exists. One thing that is known is that many of them are severely overtapped and contaminated.
Nonetheless, reliance on aquifers is growing as surface water supplies dwindle. Some 80% of groundwater used in the border region goes to agriculture. The rest is used by farmers and industries, such as automotive and appliance manufacturers.
Over 10 million people in 30 cities and communities throughout the border region rely on groundwater for domestic use. Many communities, including Ciudad Juarez; the sister cities of Nogales in both Arizona and Sonora; and the sister cities of Columbus in New Mexico and Puerto Palomas in Chihuahua, get all or most of their fresh water from these aquifers.
A booming region
About 30 million people live within 100 miles (160 kilometers) of the border on both sides. Over the next 30 years, that figure is expected to double.
Municipal and industrial water use throughout the region is also expected to increase. In Texas’ lower Rio Grande Valley, municipal use alone could more than double by 2040.
At the same time, as climate change continues to worsen, scientists project that snowmelt will decrease and evaporation rates will increase. The Colorado River’s baseflow – the portion of its volume that comes from groundwater, rather than from rain and snow – may decline by nearly 30% in the next 30 years.
Precipitation patterns across the region are projected to be uncertain and erratic for the foreseeable future. This trend will fuel more extreme weather events, such as droughts and floods, which could cause widespread harm to crops, industrial activity, human health and the environment.
Further stress comes from growth and development. Both the Colorado River and Rio Grande are tainted by pollutants from agricultural, municipal and industrial sources. Cities on both sides of the border, especially on the Mexican side, have a long history of dumping untreated sewage into the Rio Grande. Of the 55 water treatment plants located along the border, 80% reported ongoing maintenance, capacity and operating problems as of 2019.
Drought across the border region is already stoking domestic and bilateral tensions. Competing water users are struggling to meet their needs, and the U.S. and Mexico are straining to comply with treaty obligations for sharing water.
Cross-border water politics
Mexico and the United States manage water allocations in the border region mainly under two treaties: a 1906 agreement focused on the Upper Rio Grande Basin and a 1944 treaty covering the Colorado River and Lower Rio Grande.
Under the 1906 treaty, the U.S. is obligated to deliver 60,000 acre-feet of water to Mexico where the Rio Grande reaches the border. This target may be reduced during droughts, which have occurred frequently in recent decades. An acre-foot is enough water to flood an acre of land 1 foot deep – about 325,000 gallons (1.2 million liters).
Allocations under the 1944 treaty are more complicated. The U.S. is required to deliver 1.5 million acre-feet of Colorado River water to Mexico at the border – but as with the 1906 treaty, reductions are allowed in cases of extraordinary drought.
Until the mid-2010s, the U.S. met its full obligation each year. Since then, however, regional drought and climate change have severely reduced the Colorado River’s flow, requiring substantial allocation reductions for both the U.S. and Mexico.
In 2025, states in the U.S. section of the lower Colorado River basin will see a reduction of over 1 million acre-feet from prior years. Mexico’s allocation will decline by approximately 280,500 acre-feet under the 1944 treaty.
This agreement provides each nation with designated fractions of flows from the Lower Rio Grande and specific tributaries. Regardless of water availability or climatic conditions, Mexico also is required to deliver to the U.S. a minimum of 1,750,000 acre-feet of water from six named tributaries, averaged over five-year cycles. If Mexico falls short in one cycle, it can make up the deficit in the next five-year cycle, but cannot delay repayment further. https://www.youtube.com/embed/IgWSMgg9TmE?wmode=transparent&start=0 The U.S. and Mexico are struggling to share a shrinking water supply in the border region.
Since the 1990s, extraordinary droughts have caused Mexico to miss its delivery obligations three times. Although Mexico repaid its water debts in subsequent cycles, these shortfalls raised diplomatic tensions that led to last-minute negotiations and large-scale water transfers from Mexico to the U.S.
Mexican farmers in Lower Rio Grande irrigation districts who had to shoulder these cuts felt betrayed. In 2020, they protested, confronting federal soldiers and temporarily seizing control of a dam.
U.S. President Donald Trump and Mexican President Claudia Scheinbaum clearly appreciate the political and economic importance of the border region. But if water scarcity worsens, it could supplant other border priorities.
In our view, the best way to prevent this would be for the two countries to recognize that conditions are deteriorating and update the existing cross-border governance regime so that it reflects today’s new water realities.
Gabriel Eckstein, Professor of Law, Texas A&M University and Rosario Sanchez, Senior Research Scientist, Texas Water Resources Institute, Texas A&M University
This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
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In a significant recall notification, Coca-Cola has announced the withdrawal of over 10,000 cans of its popular beverage due to concerns over foreign object contamination. This announcement was initially made on March 6, and affected cans were sold in the states of Illinois and Wisconsin.
This week, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) classified the risk level of this recall as Class 2. This designation indicates that consuming the affected Coca-Cola “may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences,” although the chances of serious health consequences are deemed to be remote.
Which Coca-Cola Products Were Recalled?
The recall impacts a total of 864 packs of 12 cans of Coca-Cola, amounting to 10,368 cans in total. The specific details of the recalled products are as follows:
- Product Description: Coca-Cola Original Taste, 12 Fl Oz
- Can UPC: 0 49000-00634 6
- 12-Can Pack UPC: 0 49000-02890 4
- Date Code: SEP2925MDA
- Time Stamp: 1100-1253
Which States Are Affected?
The recall specifically concerns Coca-Cola cans distributed in the following states:
- Illinois
- Wisconsin
Why Were the Coca-Cola Cans Recalled?
The FDA has reported that these Coca-Cola cans were recalled due to contamination with a foreign object, in this case, plastic. Such contaminants can inadvertently enter food and beverage products at various stages during the production process, posing a safety risk if ingested. It is important to note that the FDA report did not indicate any associated injuries related to this specific recall
If you have purchased Coca-Cola cans with the above UPC codes in Illinois or Wisconsin, it is recommended that you refrain from consuming the affected products. Instead, please return them to the store where you purchased them for a full refund or exchange. Staying informed about product recalls is crucial to consumer safety, and it is always advisable to check for the latest updates from the FDA and Coca-Cola regarding product safety issues. For any additional questions, feel free to reach out to Coca-Cola directly or visit the FDA’s website. Stay safe!
Related links:
https://people.com/fda-announces-coca-cola-recall-for-plastic-contamination-11702963
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Community
Celebrating National Nutrition Month: A Heartfelt Tribute to Nourishing Seniors
On March 19, 2025, Tanner Terrace residents celebrated National Nutrition Month with a community event led by Diana Gregory Outreach Services, focusing on healthy eating and nutrition education for seniors.
March 19, 2025, marked a significant day for the residents of Tanner Terrace in Glendale, Arizona, as they came together to celebrate National Nutrition Month. The event, held from 2 PM to 3:30 PM, aimed to emphasize the importance of healthy eating among seniors and featured a special focus on enhancing their nutritional knowledge.
The gathering was organized by Diana Gregory Outreach Services, a non-profit dedicated to enriching lives through healthy eating. Over the years, this organization has worked tirelessly to provide access to fresh produce and nutritional education for low-income seniors, veterans, and vulnerable individuals in the community.
A Flavorful Presentation
The afternoon began with a lively presentation titled Food, Fun, and Fitness, led by certified nutritionist Debbie Polisky. The interactive session engaged residents in discussions about the benefits of balanced nutrition and simple ways to incorporate healthy foods into their diets. Attendees were eager to learn and ask questions, creating a vibrant atmosphere filled with enthusiasm for healthier living.
As a delightful conclusion to the presentation, each of the 100 seniors in attendance received a pre-packed bag of fresh produce from Fry’s Food Stores, complete with recipes and nutritional information. Watching the smiles on the seniors’ faces as they received these gifts was a heartwarming reminder of the impact of community support.
Generous Support from Fry’s Food Stores
At the outset of the event, Diana Gregory was presented with a generous check from Fry’s Food Stores. This contribution is vital for supporting Diana Gregory Outreach Services and its initiatives. Gregory proudly stated, “We have been serving the town for 16 years, and last year alone, we served over 30,000 seniors and veterans. This kind of support is critical to continue our mission.”
Pam Giannonatti, the Corporate Affairs Manager for Fry’s, emphasized their commitment to fighting food insecurity. With initiatives like “Zero Hunger, Zero Waste,” Fry’s aims to provide fresh food not only in their stores but also to those in need within the community. “Last year alone, we were able to provide over 16 million meals to hungry Arizonans,” Girardi remarked, highlighting the company’s dedication to wholesome nutrition and community welfare.
The Mission of Diana Gregory Outreach Services
Diana Gregory Outreach Services has a clear and impactful mission: to enrich lives through healthy eating. By addressing health disparities and championing holistic nutrition and fitness, the organization ensures that vulnerable populations have access to the resources they need to thrive. Their commitment is straightforward but profound: “We have a responsibility to ensure no veteran, senior, and their families in our community go to bed hungry.”
The culmination of the event was not just about handing out fresh produce; it symbolized a community rallying together to support its most vulnerable members. Flyers were distributed to the residents of Tanner Terrace, spreading awareness about future initiatives and encouraging participation in further programs designed to enhance healthy living.
A Community Commitment
As I observed this event, it became clear that initiatives like these serve a dual purpose: they enrich the lives of seniors by providing them with crucial resources and foster a sense of community among participants. For many seniors, events like these also offer an opportunity to socialize and engage with their neighbors, enhancing their overall well-being.
As National Nutrition Month concludes, the event at Tanner Terrace stands as a shining example of how community partnerships—between organizations, businesses, and residents—can work in harmony to create a healthier future for all. By continuing to support initiatives that prioritize nutrition, we can make a lasting impact on our community’s health and wellness.
In the spirit of National Nutrition Month, let us carry forward the lessons learned and the connections made, ensuring that every member of our community has access to the nourishment they need to lead fulfilling lives.
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The Bridge is a section of the STM Daily News Blog meant for diversity, offering real news stories about bona fide community efforts to perpetuate a greater good. The purpose of The Bridge is to connect the divides that separate us, fostering understanding and empathy among different groups. By highlighting positive initiatives and inspirational actions, The Bridge aims to create a sense of unity and shared purpose. This section brings to light stories of individuals and organizations working tirelessly to promote inclusivity, equality, and mutual respect. Through these narratives, readers are encouraged to appreciate the richness of diverse perspectives and to participate actively in building stronger, more cohesive communities.
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