In 2012, Article 4 of the Constitution was amended, establishing that Congress had to enact a new General Water Law before February 2013. Since then, numerous initiatives had been presented but failed to advance, resulting in twelve years of regulatory stagnation. It wasn't until December 11, 2025, that the Decree enacting the General Water Law (the “New Water Law”) and amending various provisions of the National Water Law (the “LAN”) was published in the Official Gazette of the Federation, reconfiguring the water framework with a decisive emphasis on the human right to water and sanitation.
The New Water Law regulates Article 4 of the Constitution and articulates the concurrence between the Federation, federative entities and municipalities, incorporating human rights principles.
The publication of said Decree stipulates that the reforms to the LAN and the New Water Law will come into force the following day, that is, December 12, 2025, and sets specific deadlines for harmonizing local laws and issuing secondary legislation.
Given this scenario, and considering that the industrial and agricultural sectors depend on having stable, legal and quality water sources, Santamarina and Steta present this guide to explain the changes that the Reform generates in the water supply for these sectors and the recommended actions to protect their rights.
