Background

Due to a fast track development of irrigation schemes, Mexico has now critical and urgent water related problems including the overexploitation of surface water and groundwater resources in regions, where most of the population and most of the GDP is generated. The present situation is clearly not sustainable in the medium and long term. If not addressed soon, this situation will become an obstacle to continued economic development and will have serious social impacts including the possible abandonment of important parts of the country by significant parts of the population.

The National Water Law, amended in April 2004 mandates the development and implementation of Integrated Water Resources Management Programs (IWRMPs) in overexploited basins and aquifers, with the objective of achieving sustainable water resources management and use in these areas. The World Bank assists the Water Sector in Mexico with their formidable challenges to create sustainable conditions and keeping pace with rural economic development through various projects:

Modern analytical tools such Remote Sensing, GIS and simulation models can help to swiftly obtain data to support the water management decision making process. A diagnosis of the Rio Bravo and Northern Central Aquifers has been made to demonstrate management options as well as how to obtain the minimally required data sets to base sound policy decision making upon.



Worldbank
WaterWatch
Comision Nacional del Aqua FutureWater
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