West RGV News

After Mexico didn't provide contracted water flow into the Rio Grande, a local supply company spent $1.06 million to deliver water to customers.

“Mexico is supposed to be delivering certain amounts of water into the Rio Grande and they have not been doing it,” Steven Sanchez, general manager of North Alamo Water Supply, told CBS 4. 

Mexico is supposed to release water into the Rio Grande as part of the 1944 Water Treaty, but North Alamo Water Supply said it has been years since Mexico has done so. With a drought approaching, North Alamo Water Supply said the water supply in the Rio Grande is running low and the company has had to supply the water, according to CBS 4. 

“If North Alamo was not moving the way we’re moving to get this done, customers would have no or very little water pressure, it would be a complete disaster,” Sanchez said. “Our concern is that if Mexico does not start releasing the water, the other districts are going to be hurt, the ones we’re using to run it through and then what are we going to do at that point?” 

Sanchez is asking local politicians for help getting Mexico to fill the Rio Grande. 

State. Rep. Eddie Lucio III (D-Brownsville) told CBS 4 that the State of Texas has never failed to meet its obligation, but Mexico has constantly seemed to fail on its part for the past 14 years. 

“Through the history of that treaty, we’ve never failed to meet our deliverables to Mexico of that river, yet Mexico consistently fails to deliver the water to the Rio Grande," Lucio said. "Our hope and dream and where I think we can make an impact is if we withhold deliveries of water from the Colorado River in proportion to the failed deliveries to the Rio Grande from Mexico.”