A longstanding sewage issue affecting the Tijuana River is approaching a solution due to a significant agreement between the U.S. and Mexico. Officials from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) noted that the Trump administration has been firm in holding Mexico accountable.
For years, untreated sewage has seeped into Southern California from Mexico, leading to pollution in the Tijuana River. Experts indicate that this sewage crisis has been developing since at least the 1930s, with significant issues surfacing in the early 2000s.
“The key issue is that Tijuana’s wastewater treatment plants can’t handle the volume of wastewater resulting from the city’s swift population growth,” explained environmental attorney Philip Mousegars. He authored a report for San Diego Coastal Managers. “Many of the sewer systems and treatment facilities are outdated and not equipped for such high demand, causing frequent breakdowns and flooding.”
Since 2018, about 100 billion gallons of untreated sewage mixed with industrial waste have flowed into the Tijuana River and nearby areas in San Diego, according to reports.
Issues stemming from the sewage crisis have led to beach closures in San Diego, halted training for U.S. Navy SEALs, and caused various health problems among residents due to waste management failures.
As the Trump administration took office in July, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin met with Alicia Bárcena, his Mexican counterpart, to finalize an agreement aimed at resolving the matter. They signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the two nations.
This memorandum builds on a 2022 treaty, Minute 328, where Mexico agreed to contribute $144 million while the U.S. committed $350 million for wastewater management projects. Zeldin commented that Mexico has yet to secure its portion of these funds, but progress is being made.
The timeline for the Minute 328 projects has been expedited, and additional projects in Mexico have been included to address population growth and maintenance needs in Tijuana.
Recent updates indicated that the review by the EPA and Mexico’s Secretariat of Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT) was completed ahead of schedule, cutting down the entire project’s construction time by roughly 12 years.
Zeldin shared in an interview that they managed to navigate bureaucratic challenges effectively. “As we move forward with construction, this marks a vital step in protecting American communities from cross-border contamination,” he added.
Beyond the construction aspect, key next steps in implementing the MOU involve finalizing a new agreement named “Minutes,” expected by the end of the year, according to EPA reports.
This new agreement, referred to as Minutes 333, aims to be carried out swiftly, as indicated by government officials.
Officials explained that all solutions outlined in Article 4 of the MOU for the wastewater crisis have now been integrated into the new minutes, specifically considering future population increases in Tijuana.
The new minutes require Mexico to create a comprehensive water infrastructure master plan for Tijuana in six months and construct the Tecolote La Gloria wastewater treatment plant, designed to handle 3 million gallons per day (MGD) by December 2028.
Notably, Protocol 333 does not impose any additional funding requirements on U.S. taxpayers for wastewater projects on either side of the border.
EPA officials reiterated that the Trump Administration is committed to holding Mexico responsible and collaborating closely to ensure compliance with the agreed actions outlined in this year’s agreement. They highlighted the importance of addressing the ongoing crisis.
Zeldin expressed optimism about the progress made towards resolving the Tijuana River wastewater issue, cautioning that without considering future population growth, efforts could be undermined. That’s precisely what Minutes 333 is designed to achieve.
“We’re laying out a clear framework for action, and I’m eager to see the agreements put into motion quickly,” the administrator remarked. “During my visit in April, I witnessed the concerns of San Diego residents. I assured them we would find a full solution, and the EPA is committed to that promise.”
The new minutes received positive feedback from the U.S. State Department, U.S. Ambassador to Mexico Ron Johnson, the U.S. Division of the International Boundary and Water Commission (USIBWC), and various elected officials from California, reflecting broad support for the efforts underway.
