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.

Worsening drought conditions require long-term water security along the shared border, and NADBank, subject to Board approval, will provide $76 million in WRF financing for 12 irrigation districts in the Lower Rio Grande Valley.

Under the Water Resiliency Fund, NADBank funding may cover up to 50% of total project costs, unlocking significant local, state, and federal co-investment. The nearly $164 million investment will be contributed by 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 the US Bureau of Reclamation and participating irrigation districts with a combined contribution of almost $18 million to support project implementation.

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.

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, allowing communities to make better use of scarce resources, be more resilient to droughts, and improve their finances. Up to 60% of the projects submitted came from Mexican states along the Rio Grande/Rio Bravo.

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 US-Mexico border and is designed to catalyze and accelerate investments that increase water conservation, efficiency, and supply diversification for communities facing growing water stress.