Previously, we have talked about the imminent “Day Zero” for Tijuana, this is if and when the situation arises in which Mexico can no longer supply its cities with the vital liquid for different reasons such as scarcity, waste, contamination, etc.; but, it seems that this may become a reality sooner than expected, specifically in Baja California.
Baja California will stop receiving water from the United States
The International Boundary and Water Commission between Mexico and the United States announced that Minutes 330 was signed, which deals with the “Extension of temporary measures on the Colorado River,” which consists of reducing the water supply that the North American country provides to Mexico.
It is important to mention that this treaty is being carried out in order to increase the water conservation measures of the Colorado River, carried out since 2023; but with the increase in the shortage of the vital liquid in the region, authorities on both sides of the border agreed to strengthen work to avoid a greater shortage.
Although this information was published in April of this year, with the arrival of summer and the need to consume a greater amount of water in various matters and activities, the information has been revived, causing a stir about what the future of this vital liquid in the state could be about.
It should be noted that these additional measures (which will be carried out from next October to December 2026 according Vanguardia Mx) are taken due to a low level of storage in the Colorado River basin, which threatens to reach critical levels if accurate actions are not taken.
Between 2023 and 2026, the United States is expected to take action to conserve approximately 3.7 billion cubic meters of water from the Colorado River, while on the Mexican side, it is estimated that 493.396 billion cubic meters will be saved for the system belonging to the Mexican Water Reserve.
In order to support Mexico’s efforts to conserve water, the United States will provide $65 million pesos through CILA to finance projects and actions focused on generating water for the Colorado River, which will be defined by the National Water Commission (CONAGUA).
READ MORE: Day Zero: Tijuana would be one of the first cities in Mexico to run out of water
Following the growing concern of ejidatarios and farmers in the Mexicali Valley (who will be terribly affected by the aforementioned measures), the national media highlights that the crops in the region will stop receiving water supplies for their vital functioning, for which reason they demand from Mexican authorities, specifically CILA, compensation of $1,258 dollars (24 thousand pesos) for each hectare that is put under “rest.”
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