The International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC) has awarded a contract worth over $400 million to expand the South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant, located in San Diego, California. This project will utilize federal funding secured by the Congressional delegation to enhance and repair the plant.
"Today's announcement for the South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant is a step in the right direction in beginning to seriously address toxic waste and raw sewage flowing from the Tijuana River," stated Sen. Alex Padilla, D-California. He emphasized the ongoing health and environmental hazards caused by pollution that has impacted Southern California's air and water for too long. He expressed his commitment to securing additional federal resources to tackle the crisis with the necessary urgency.
In March, the San Diego Congressional delegation obtained over $156 million for crucial repairs to the plant. Additionally, in 2019, the delegation secured $300 million to expand the plant's capacity from 25 million gallons per day to 50 million gallons per day. By 2022, legislation was passed to allow the IBWC to use these funds to address harmful pollutants in the Tijuana River Valley.
"Our communities can't wait. I'm glad to see the IBWC take this important step, which will allow them to put the more than $400 million my colleagues and I secured for the South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant to work for repairs and upgrades," said Rep. Juan Vargas, D-San Diego. He highlighted that this project will help double the plant's capacity, prevent up to 90% of untreated wastewater from reaching the coast, and provide cleaner and safer water.
In May 2024, the officials urged the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to investigate the contaminants in the water, soil, and air stemming from the sewage, and their connection to reported increases in illnesses and other symptoms. The CDC has agreed to launch an investigation into the public health impacts of the pollution from the Tijuana River.
"This announcement has been a long time coming -- and I'm so excited to see the $400 million that our congressional delegation secured result in big, meaningful progress to end the Tijuana River Valley crisis," said Rep. Sara Jacobs, D-San Diego. She reaffirmed that while significant progress has been made, continued efforts will be necessary to monitor the IBWC's construction, collaborate with Mexican counterparts, and ensure that communities on both sides of the border can live safely.
