Progress is being made in addressing the sewage crisis affecting the Tijuana River, with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) indicating that it will finish its review ahead of schedule. This comes alongside a faster timeline for a project aimed at reducing the flow of untreated sewage from Mexico into the United States.
EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin, formerly a Republican congressman from New York, met with his counterpart from Mexico in July to sign an agreement. This Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) aims to resolve a long-standing issue that has posed health risks to Americans.
As noted earlier, there was an agreement between the United States and Mexico to tackle a crisis that arose during the Biden administration. However, it seems that Mexico struggled to access a significant portion of the designated funds.
An agreement was reached between the two nations, known as “328 Minutes,” to counteract the 2022 crisis. Under this plan, Mexico pledged $144 million while the U.S. committed $350 million for wastewater management projects.
On Thursday, Zeldin mentioned that Mexico had yet to allocate its share of $93 million but that the new MOU would ensure these funds are used. The EPA confirmed that “Mexico will allocate the remaining $93 million in Proceedings 328 funds that it has not yet committed,” according to a press release.
The deadline for the Minute 328 project has been moved earlier, with additional side projects included to accommodate future population growth and maintenance costs in Tijuana. The aim is to complete the project by December 31, 2027, and in some cases, even earlier.
A source from the San Diego Coastal Manager mentioned that the crisis stems from a mix of aging infrastructure, poor maintenance, and natural factors.
According to environmental lawyer Philip Mousegars, “The core issue is that the wastewater treatment plants can’t handle the wastewater volume from Tijuana’s rapid growth and urban spread.” He pointed out that many sewer pipes and treatment facilities are outdated and not capable of managing heavy loads, leading to frequent floods and system breakdowns.
Regardless of the reasons behind these sewage issues, untreated waste—totally around 100 billion gallons—has been entering the Tijuana River and subsequently San Diego County since 2018.
In an update from the EPA, Zeldin revealed that a 100-day review of Minute 328 infrastructure projects, originally set for completion on November 1, finished two days early with positive findings.
Since the signing of the MOU, the Trump administration along with Mexican officials at the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT) reported saving “approximately 12 years of construction time on all projects.” The recent review added another nine months of time saved.
“This review not only confirmed the nine-month reduction, but also established that all projects are on track to meet revised deadlines set in the MOU,” the statement read.
Zeldin asserted that the Trump administration is dedicated to delivering a lasting and urgent resolution to the Tijuana River wastewater crisis that has been a longstanding concern for Southern Californians.
He remarked, “The expedited timelines for projects indicate substantial progress and reflect the close cooperation between the U.S. and Mexico in fulfilling their commitments from the July MOU.” He emphasized that through focused teamwork, they managed to navigate bureaucratic challenges. While there’s still significant construction ahead, this marks an essential advancement in efforts to protect American communities from cross-border pollution.
Looking ahead, the EPA plans to issue a joint public update and sign a new agreement “minutes” by year’s end as part of implementing the MOU.
In a recent interview with Breitbart News at the EPA’s headquarters in Washington, D.C., Zeldin affirmed the agency’s strong commitment to addressing the wastewater crisis, despite the ongoing government shutdown. President Trump, he noted, has identified the crisis as a “very important priority.”
