This Monday, November 25, 2024, the Mexican National Agreement for the Human Right to Water and Sustainability (Acuerdo Nacional por el Derecho Humano al Agua y la Sustentabilidad) was announced, in the context of the formulation of the Mexican National Water Program (PNH in Spanish) 2024-2030, through an event led by the President of Mexico, Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo, and representatives of the various social sectors.
Although the PNH has not yet been published in the Official Gazette of the Mexican Federation, among its main priorities, reiterated in the National Agreement, are to organize the concessions, make efficient use of water in the productive processes of industrial, agricultural and livestock activities, and achieve the technical development of 200,000 hectares of agricultural irrigation, considering that this sector is the main consumer of available water, with 75% of the total.
The Agreement formalizes the commitment of the industrial sector to contribute up to 2.5 billion cubic meters of water from its concessions, and together with the Mexican federal government, invest more than $20 thousand million pesos in water infrastructure during the current six-year term for the President of Mexico.
Likewise, the creation of the Mexican National Registry of Water for Welfare (RENAB, in Spanish) was announced, as well as a program of inspections of industrial, commercial and agricultural establishments, promotion of citizen complaints and the issuance of the General Water Law, pending promulgation since 2012.
The possibility of issuing a “facilities decree” was also pointed out, which would allow the regularization of expired water concessions, a new digital platform (called “Water for Welfare”), a “One-stop shop for procedures” and a Digital File, together with the simplification of procedures before the Mexican National Water Commission (CONAGUA).
The main challenge for private sector organizations (industrial, agricultural and service establishments) will be to verify the current status of their water concessions, as well as the accompanying documentation. Although an immediate inspection or verification program by CONAGUA is not expected, it is recommended that each establishment review the paperwork it has, especially if they are national water concession titles, since a program to regularize concession titles may be announced at any time, which we will report on in due course.
It is also important to review, through accredited laboratories, the current status of wastewater discharges, in order to ensure that they cover the maximum permissible levels established by the Mexican Official Standards (NOMs), and avoid any fine from the authority.
At EC Rubio law firm, we are ready to provide specialized support for your company in water and environmental matters, in order to guarantee effective compliance with the legal, regulatory and normative framework in force in Mexico.
Sources:
Presentation of the Mexican National Water Program. November 22, 2024.
https://www.gob.mx/conagua/articulos/presenta-conagua-plan-nacional-hidrico-384239?idiom=es
Presentation of the Mexican National Agreement for the Human Right to Water and Sustainability: https://www.gob.mx/presidencia/prensa/presidenta-claudia-sheinbaum-firma-acuerdo-por-el-derecho-humano-al-agua-y-la-sustentabilidad-se-invertiran-9-mil-mdp-en-tecnificacion-de-riego
Environmental Law
Carlos Ávila / carlos.avila@ecrubio.com
Juan S. Vázquez / juan.vazquez@ecrubio.com
Fernando Holguín / fernando.holguin@ecrubio.com
Marcela Villatoro / marcela.villatoro@ecrubio.com
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