After a session of more than 15 hours of individual debate, the plenary session of the Chamber of Deputies approved 18 reservations to the opinion of the General Water Law and various reforms to the National Water Law, according to a report from the agency Quadratin México.
The reservations were presented by the coordinator of Morena, Ricardo Monreal, with the support of the parliamentary leaders of the Labor Party, Reginaldo Sandoval, and the Green Ecologist Party, Carlos Puente.
The vote ended with 324 votes in favor, 118 against and 2 abstentions.
Among the approved modifications, the incorporation of community water and sanitation systems for areas outside the municipal, intermunicipal or metropolitan area of operation stands out, through adjustments to article 40 of the new legislation.
More context: Chamber of Deputies generally approves the Water Law
The operation of water services managed by indigenous and Afro-Mexican communities for productive activities is also recognized, through changes to article 43.
Regarding the National Water Law, the concept of water responsibility is redefined, incorporating the modernization of irrigation without exceeding the concessioned volumes, in addition to establishing guidelines for technical studies in areas at risk of shortage.
There are specific sanctions for the illegal transfer or extraction of water, with penalties ranging from five to eight months depending on the volume stolen. For officials who grant permits in exchange for bribes, penalties could reach up to 14 years in prison.
The reserves package forces Conagua to issue rules to avoid hoarding of the resource and to develop criteria that promote responsible water management.
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