Northern Mexico is facing a severe drought, and the situation is being made worse by widespread water theft. The region’s water crisis is so dire that it’s been likened to the dystopian world of Mad Max. The National Water Commission (Conagua) has reported over 5,000 illegal water connections in the north, with Chihuahua alone accounting for more than 2,200.
The Real Crisis Behind the Drought
The drought is just one part of the problem. Corruption and mismanagement of water resources are making things much worse. In some areas, powerful interests are exploiting the situation for their own gain. For example, the Laguna de Santa María 0818 aquifer in Chihuahua has been over-allocated, with up to 60% of its water being illegally diverted to private interests. Local farmers claim that a “water cartel” is controlling the resource, leaving communities without access to this essential resource.
This isn’t just a local issue. States like Coahuila, Nuevo León, and Tamaulipas are also affected. In the Bravo River Basin, the number of illegal water connections doubled in just one year, reaching over 1,100. This is having a devastating impact on local farmers, who are struggling to maintain their livelihoods.
A Perfect Storm
The water crisis in northern Mexico is being exacerbated by international pressure. The 1944 Water Treaty with the United States requires Mexico to transfer a certain amount of water from the Bravo and Colorado rivers. However, with reservoirs in states like Chihuahua running at less than 15% capacity, meeting this obligation is becoming increasingly difficult. Failure to comply could lead to severe economic sanctions or even conflict with the US. The situation is dire, with eight out of 10 municipalities in Mexico experiencing some kind of water supply problem. The combination of water theft, corruption, and drought is creating a perfect storm that threatens the livelihoods of millions of people, particularly in rural areas. Without urgent action to address these issues, the crisis is likely to worsen, leaving many without access to this essential resource.