Global freshwater reserves face decade-long depletion

Global freshwater reserves are declining as the planet’s natural water buffers face a decade of depletion. According to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), 2025 was one of the driest years for rivers in the last 35 years, with 36% of basins recording flows below normal levels. WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo warned that these reserves, which act as a planetary “savings account” to mitigate droughts, have been steadily reducing since the mid-2010s.

In Mexico, managing these critical resources requires precise technical analysis of aquifer balances. Following the NOM-011-CONAGUA-2015 standard, CONAGUA evaluates groundwater availability by calculating the average annual recharge and subtracting natural discharge—which sustains rivers and ecosystems—and existing water concessions. Experts emphasize that an aquifer's balance is a technical snapshot rather than a guarantee of supply, and that local hydrogeological differences can significantly impact water security for urban growth and infrastructure.