Congressman Jesús Daniel Razo Córdova has introduced legislation that would add the concept of water security to Baja California’s Law for the Promotion of Water Conservation Culture, arguing that the state needs a stronger legal framework to protect one of its most critical natural resources.
According to Razo Córdova, the proposal would promote policies aimed at ensuring the long-term availability, quality and sustainable use of water while helping communities adapt to the effects of climate change.
Why the reform is being proposed
Razo Córdova said the initiative responds to the growing pressure on Baja California’s water supply.
More than 90% of the state’s territory is classified as arid, while much of its water supply depends on the Colorado River. He also cited overdrawn and contaminated aquifers, aging infrastructure and unequal access to water as challenges the proposal seeks to address.
The congressman argued that water shortages disproportionately affect vulnerable communities.
“When water runs short, the first to suffer are the poorest families, women and children, who spend hours carrying buckets instead of studying or working,” he said. “This reform is also an act of social justice.”
Building a culture of water conservation
Beyond infrastructure, the proposal seeks to promote a broader culture of water conservation by encouraging residents to better understand where their water comes from and why it should be protected.
“We want to build a water-conscious culture where no one takes this resource for granted and every Baja Californian understands why it is too valuable to waste,” Razo Córdova said.
To achieve that goal, the initiative promotes measures such as rainwater harvesting, treated wastewater reuse, leak reduction and stronger community resilience.
Aligning with international goals
The proposal also incorporates the concept of water security, defined as a society’s ability to guarantee sufficient quantities of safe, high-quality water for both everyday life and economic activity.
According to the congressman, the legislation is consistent with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 6, which calls for universal access to clean water and sanitation.
