The Chamber of Deputies approved the General Water Law on Thursday after over 24 hours of discussion, with 324 votes in favor, 118 against, and two abstentions. President Claudia Sheinbaum's initiative aims to regulate water use in production processes and ensure its availability for the population. It now heads to the Senate, where fast-track approval is promised despite protests from farmers.
The bill reforming, repealing, and adding provisions to the National Waters Law was approved in general and particular by the Chamber of Deputies. This law defines rules for water use in production processes, organizes concessions, and ensures its availability for the entire population.
Morena Senator Adán Augusto López stated he will request the waiver of all procedures so the project goes directly to the Senate plenary without committees. “We will request the waiver of procedures; two-thirds is necessary, we hope to gather them. It was worked on very well in the Chamber of Deputies,” López said. He explained that adjustments were incorporated from forums, addressing concerns like succession and water rights.
López justified the fast-track approval by saying producers' demands have been met and protests hide political interests, such as those from water sellers. “From what we've seen so far, behind the discontent there are many political interests; water sellers are behind this,” he noted. He proposed Senate sessions on Tuesday, Wednesday, and possibly Thursday next week to discuss it.
Key changes include prohibiting the exchange of concessions between individuals; only the National Water Commission (Conagua) can redistribute them. The regime for transferring water rights between private parties is eliminated, and unused concessions must return to Conagua for better distribution. It also creates a catalog of water responsibility and a National Water Registry for greater control and transparency. The Mexican State will be the sole entity responsible for regulating water use across the three levels of government.