Yucatan Basin Council Advances Water Governance, Aquifer Care

The Yucatan Peninsula Basin Council (CCPY) marked its 26th anniversary by reviewing progress in water governance and announcing new agreements aimed at strengthening the sustainable management of the region’s aquifer, according to officials participating in its 30th Extraordinary Working Session. The hybrid-format session brought together representatives from 34 social and government institutions. Established in 1999, the CCPY reported advances in conservation, governance, and public participation across Campeche, Quintana Roo, and Yucatán.

During the meeting, the council presented findings from its 2025 report, which showed that 56 working sessions and 30 training workshops were held during the period, benefiting 1,506 participants. Officials also announced a restructuring of auxiliary bodies to expand social participation across the peninsula, including the integration of new basin commissions in the three states.

The National Water Commission (Conagua) outlined progress under the Agreement for the Human Right to Water and Sustainability in the Yucatán Peninsula, highlighting actions focused on sanitation, the reorganization of water concessions, integrated water planning, and flood prevention.

Council members also reported advances in promoting water culture and governance, including strengthened communication strategies and the rollout of a diploma program on water culture aimed at educators. Regional and international initiatives were highlighted, such as state-level forums on environmental education and water culture, as well as the first Regional Forum on Sanitation for Water Sustainability, which included participation from Germany and the Netherlands.

In addition, the CCPY promoted regulatory dialogue through forums addressing Mexico’s General Water Law and the National Water Law, aimed at improving understanding of the legal framework governing water resources.

A key outcome of the session was the signing of a collaboration agreement between the CCPY, Conagua, and the Mexican Employers Association (Coparmex). The agreement seeks to advance environmental education, water culture, and sustainability initiatives within the business sector, with participation from Coparmex business centers in Campeche, Quintana Roo, and Yucatán.

Responding to requests from agricultural users, Conagua also reported progress on concession-related procedures linked to the Special Energy Program for Agriculture, which provides electricity subsidies of up to 95% for producers using power for irrigation. The program is operated by the Ministry of Agriculture.

Officials added that registration for the subsidy program was extended following a decree issued by President Claudia Sheinbaum granting administrative facilities to regularize water concession titles. The decree establishes a six-month window for compliance and extends the re-enrollment deadline for beneficiaries of the program’s 2026 cycle to April 28, 2026.