Overview
- The two-part package before Congress pairs recognition of the human right to water with sweeping reforms to the Ley de Aguas Nacionales that centralize regulation under a new National Water Registry and a federally managed Fondo del Agua.
- Under the draft, concession holders could no longer transfer titles directly, with reassignment decided by the federal water authority, which could also reduce or cancel volumes to safeguard water security.
- PRI deputy Abigail Arredondo argues the proposal lacks dedicated financing, creates new offences and steep fines, displaces basin councils, and risks revoking rights for actions such as lending water or changing use.
- Concessionaires, farmers and industry leaders report legal uncertainty over continuity and transferability of rights in a context where an estimated 70% of major sources are overexploited.
- Morena and PT senators say the initiative will pass this session to curb water commercialization, while PAN figures urge producers to resist a bill they claim criminalizes the countryside.