Officials from the United States, Mexico and Texas gathered in San Antonio to unveil a proposed $164 million water‑conservation package for the Lower Rio Grande Valley. The funding would target 12 irrigation districts across South Texas, upgrading canals, lining open waterways and converting them to enclosed pipelines. The goal is to conserve roughly 44,000 acre‑feet of water annually – the equivalent of 14.3 billion gallons.
Funding sources and approval process
The North American Development Bank (NADBank) plans to contribute up to $76 million through its Water Resiliency Fund, while the Texas Water Development Board could add nearly $70 million in grant money. The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation and the participating irrigation districts together would provide about $18 million. All contributions remain subject to board approvals – NADBank’s board of directors and the Texas Water Development Board’s September meeting.
How the projects will work
Each project could receive up to 50 % of its cost from NADBank, with state, federal and local sources covering the remainder. Upgrades include lining canals to stop seepage, converting open channels into pipelines, and modernizing distribution systems. These improvements are intended to reduce water loss as it moves from reservoirs to farms and communities.
Why the region needs it
The Lower Rio Grande Valley relies heavily on water stored in the Amistad and Falcon reservoirs, which are allocated by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) through the Rio Grande Watermaster Program. Prolonged drought, reduced deliveries from Mexico and aging infrastructure have strained supplies. Under the 1944 Water Treaty, Mexico must deliver 1.75 million acre‑feet of water to the United States every five years; recent shortfalls have forced TCEQ to adjust allocations, affecting agricultural, municipal and industrial users.
Binational cooperation
Mexican Ambassador Roberto Lazzeri Montaño highlighted the cross‑border nature of the challenge, noting that water security is a critical issue for the border region. NADBank, a binational institution created by the United States and Mexico, received 112 expressions of interest from communities in Mexico’s six northern border states, with 60 % of the proposed projects originating from Mexican municipalities along the Rio Grande.
Local impact
For Texas growers and residents, the proposed upgrades promise more reliable water deliveries and the ability to maintain current crop production without resorting to costly alternatives. The plan also aligns with a recent U.S.–Mexico agreement that secures a minimum annual delivery of 350,000 acre‑feet from Mexico for the 2026‑2030 treaty cycle and outlines a repayment plan for prior water debt.
Next steps
All parties await final board approvals before funds can be allocated. If approved, the projects could begin construction later this year, offering a tangible step toward long‑term water resiliency for the Rio Grande Valley’s farms, towns and families.
Original reporting: The Dallas Express — read the source article.
