U.S., Mexico & Texas Back Major Investments for Water Conservation

SAN ANTONIO, Texas - Officials representing the United States, Mexico and the State of Texas today highlighted major progress under the North American Development Bank's (NADBank) Water Resiliency Fund (WRF), including plans for nearly $164 million in water conservation investments in Texas' Lower Rio Grande Valley (LRGV), and continued advancement of water reliability projects across northern Mexico.

Officials participating in the event included Mexican Ambassador to the United States Roberto Lazzeri Montaño, NADBank Managing Director John Beckham and Texas Water Development Board Chairwoman L'Oreal Stepney.

Speaking at the NADBank Summit 2026, Ambassador Lazzeri Montaño underscored the importance of binational cooperation to address worsening drought conditions and strengthen long-term water security along the shared border.

NADBank Managing Director John Beckham announced the Bank's intention, subject to Board approval, to provide $76 million in WRF financing for 12 irrigation districts in the Lower Rio Grande Valley. The projects are expected to conserve nearly 44,000 acre-feet of water annually through infrastructure improvements such as canal lining, canal-to-pipeline conversions and system efficiency upgrades.

"One year after launching the Water Resiliency Fund, we are pleased to announce our intent to fund $76 million in investments for South Texas submitted during the first call for projects. By partnering with and leveraging resources from the Texas Water Development Board, Bureau of Reclamation, and the irrigation districts, we will maximize the impact of every dollar invested to conserve precious water resources and provide a reliable water supply for Rio Grande Valley communities," said John Beckham, NADBank Managing Director. "The progress we have made is due to strong teamwork. I would like to thank our Board of Directors, Bank staff, and our partners at TWDB for their dedication and collaboration in advancing this important priority so expeditiously." 

Under the Water Resiliency Fund, NADBank funding may cover up to 50 percent of total project costs, unlocking significant local, state and federal co-investment. The approximately $164 million investment will be contributed by the following partners:

• NADBank providing up to$76 million in grant and loan investment;
• Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) providing nearly $70 million commitment in grant funds, subject to approval at TWDB's Board meeting in September and
• U.S. Bureau of Reclamation and participating irrigation districts: Combined contribution of almost $18 million to support project implementation.

Ambassador Lazzeri acknowledged progress in implementing the WRF in Mexico, where the Program's call for projects generated 112 expressions of interest from communities across the country's six northern border states. In the case of Mexico, the Program will prioritize investments in municipal utilities that conserve water or diversify water resources. This will allow communities to make better use of scarce resources, be more resilient to droughts, and improve their finances. Sixty percent of the projects submitted came from the Mexican states found along the Rio Grande/Rio Bravo.

"Water security has become one of the most critical challenges facing the future of the U.S.-Mexico border region," said Ambassador Lazerri. "As drought conditions become increasingly severe and prolonged, the Water Resiliency Fund demonstrates the value of binational cooperation and strategic investment in strengthening the future of our shared border. I look forward to announcing water infrastructure funding for Mexican border communities in the near future."

NADBank will continue working with federal, state and local partners in Mexico to evaluate, structure and finance eligible projects. Future program priorities include advancing project development, expanding coordination among government agencies and measuring water savings generated by funded investments.

Launched in 2025, the Water Resilience Fund is among the largest binational efforts focused on improving water reliability along the U.S.-Mexico border and is designed to catalyze and accelerate investments that increase water conservation, efficiency and supply diversification for communities facing growing water stress.

NADBank is a financial institution established and capitalized in equal parts by the United States and Mexico for the purpose of financing environmental infrastructure projects along their common border. As a pioneer institution in its field, the Bank is working to develop environmentally and financially sustainable projects with broad community support in a framework of close cooperation and coordination between Mexico and the United States. For more information about NADBank, visit www.nadb.org.