EPA and Mexico Address Tijuana Sewage Crisis
On Thursday, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), under the Trump administration, revealed plans to expedite construction efforts aimed at tackling a long-standing sewage issue that has been affecting the San Diego area due to pollution from Tijuana, Mexico.
EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin stated, “The Trump Administration is focused on delivering an urgent and lasting solution to the Tijuana River wastewater crisis that residents of Southern California have been asking for, well, for decades.”
This problem has persisted for decades, with untreated sewage flowing into San Diego from Tijuana. Local officials and community members have labeled it a crisis, one that notably impacts tourism and the nearby Naval Amphibious Base Coronado, where Navy SEALs undergo training. Some of these SEALs, who spend extended periods at sea, have reported illnesses linked to contaminated water, including serious gastrointestinal issues.
The root of the sewage crisis can be traced back to Tijuana’s outdated sewage infrastructure, which is overwhelmed by a rapidly growing population—figures indicate a staggering 188% increase from 1990 to 2025.
Recently, the EPA completed a 100-day assessment of related projects and announced it had reduced the completion timeline for two significant initiatives by nine months. This reduction means the overall construction period is now projected to be 12 years shorter than originally anticipated.
In a message shared on social media, Zeldin highlighted the importance of these new developments, stating, “Today, EPA announced a total of nine months reduction in the schedule for two additional critical projects on the Mexican side of the border: the renovation of Pumping Station 1 and the reconstruction of the Tijuana River Gate.”
Finding a resolution for Tijuana’s wastewater issues has been a top priority for Zeldin since he took over the EPA, prompting a visit to San Diego and Tijuana in April to meet with local leaders. In July, he and Mexico’s Secretary of Environment, Alicia Bárcena Ibarra, signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) aimed at enhancing cooperation between the two countries to resolve the crisis.
This MOU endorsed the 328 Minutes Agreement, which is meant to tackle the wastewater problem through 17 sanitation infrastructure projects. However, officials in the Trump EPA deemed that this agreement wasn’t sufficient to resolve the issue completely, leading to a full review of the projects for a more streamlined approach.
The July agreement also established that Mexico would allocate unused funds from Minute 328 towards wastewater initiatives and set a faster timeline for the completion of associated projects. It outlines that all Minute 328 projects must be finalized by December 31, 2027.
On Thursday, Zeldin remarked that the faster timelines for these infrastructure projects represent significant progress. “This shows how closely the United States and Mexico are adhering to our commitments from the July MOU. By working together, we’ve been able to navigate through bureaucratic challenges. Although we have much work ahead, these developments are crucial in safeguarding American communities from cross-border pollution.”
