Overview
- The federal executive sent to Congress a two-part package that pairs a human-right-to-water instrument with broad changes to the Ley de Aguas Nacionales, strengthening Conagua and creating a federally run National Water Registry.
- The draft would prohibit concessionaires from directly selling or inheriting water rights, requiring their return to an executive Water Fund for possible reassignment by Conagua.
- Reassignments would follow expedited procedures led by the Water Authority under article 22 and rely on reserve volumes set in article 37 BIS, with the power to reduce or cancel concessions for security of supply.
- PRI deputy Abigail Arredondo and stakeholder groups warn of legal uncertainty, a reduced role for basin councils, and newly defined offenses with fines reportedly between 20,000 and 50,000 UMAs.
- Activists and academics press for a rights-based framework that prevents water from being treated as a commodity, while critics argue the proposal adds duties to Conagua without dedicated financing as Congress takes up the measure.