Summary of S. 3120 - Ensuring Predictable and Reliable Water Deliveries Act of 2025

Bill Overview

Bill Number: S. 3120

Introduced: November 6, 2025

Status: Introduced in Senate

Primary Sponsor: Senator Ted Cruz

Cosponsor: Senator John Cornyn

The Ensuring Predictable and Reliable Water Deliveries Act of 2025 aims to address water delivery obligations between the United States and Mexico under the 1944 Treaty concerning the utilization of waters from the Colorado and Tijuana Rivers and the Rio Grande. The bill seeks to ensure that Mexico meets its water delivery commitments to the U.S. and establishes limitations on U.S. engagement with Mexico if these obligations are not fulfilled.

Key Provisions

1. Reporting Requirements

• The Secretary of State is mandated to submit a report to Congress within 180 days of the bill's enactment and annually thereafter. This report must include:
  • A determination of whether Mexico has delivered a minimum of 350,000 acre-feet of water in the preceding calendar year.
  • An assessment of Mexico’s capability to deliver 1,750,000 acre-feet of water by the end of the five-year cycle outlined in the Treaty.
  • Identification of significant economic sectors in Mexico that depend on irrigation districts benefiting from U.S. water deliveries or the tributaries of the Rio Grande.

2. Limitations on Engagement

• If the Secretary of State determines that Mexico has not met its water delivery obligations:
  • The President must deny all non-Treaty requests from Mexico.
  • The President may limit or terminate engagement with Mexico concerning identified sectors, except for efforts to combat the flow of synthetic drugs into the U.S.

3. Exceptions

• Non-Treaty requests may be considered if:
  • The Secretary certifies that the water will be used exclusively for addressing ecological, environmental, or humanitarian emergencies and not for municipal, industrial, or normal supply needs.
  • Fulfilling the request is deemed vital to U.S. national interests.

Impact

This legislation primarily affects:
- U.S.-Mexico relations, particularly in the context of water resource management.
- Water delivery systems and agricultural sectors reliant on the Colorado River and Rio Grande.
- Environmental and humanitarian efforts in Mexico, as limitations on engagement could impact emergency water deliveries.

Procedural Aspects

• The bill was introduced and read twice in the Senate on November 6, 2025, and has been referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations for further consideration.

Conclusion

The Ensuring Predictable and Reliable Water Deliveries Act of 2025 seeks to hold Mexico accountable for its water delivery obligations under international treaties, while also establishing a framework for U.S. engagement based on compliance with these obligations. The bill reflects ongoing concerns about water scarcity and resource management in the context of U.S.-Mexico relations.