Mexico implements plan to ease drought in Nuevo León state

Mexico’s federal government issued a decree to guarantee water supply for the metropolitan area of Nuevo León state, which is suffering from record drought with a deficit of 3,000l/s.

President Andrés Manuel López Obrador said during his morning press conference that the decree enables national water commission Conagua to support and oversee the efforts of the local water operator and the municipalities in the area. 

“The actions that we are proposing and will carry out with support from the local and municipal governments will allow us to guarantee water during the next 8 to 10 years,” he said. 

Conagua director Germán Martínez said measures involve advancing projects like the El Cuchillo II aqueduct, the Libertad dam, the Chapotal canal, and support for the general population by transporting water in containers to remote locations. 

El Cuchillo II, which will provide 5m3/s, will receive 7.8bn pesos (US$385mn) from development bank Banobras, 4.7bn pesos from Nuevo León state, and 3.1bn pesos from municipal funds.

Governor Samuel García confirmed the construction of El Cuchillo II and vowed to complete the works next year.

Martínez also confirmed that Libertad dam, which will receive 585mn pesos this year and 1.1bn pesos in 2023, will be ready by next year.