EPA chief Lee Zeldin demands urgent action from Mexico to solve Tijuana River sewage crisis

This week, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin visited San Diego to address the ongoing Tijuana River sewage crisis, emphasizing the need for immediate and comprehensive action from both the United States and Mexico.​

For decades, untreated sewage and contaminated stormwater from Tijuana have flowed into Southern California, leading to significant public health, environmental, and national security concerns. The pollution has resulted in frequent beach closures and health issues among residents and military personnel, including Navy SEALs training in the affected waters.​

Administrator Zeldin's visit included a tour of the South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant, a roundtable discussion with local, state, and federal officials, and a press conference at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot. During the press conference, Zeldin provided updates on his meeting with Mexico's Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources, Alicia Bárcena, stating, “This visit for EPA is very important to us to make sure that we aren’t just seeing and hearing firsthand on the ground in Southern California, but ensuring that the path forward is one of max collaboration and extreme urgency to end a crisis that should have ended a long time ago.”

Zeldin emphasized the necessity of a "100% solution" to halt the flow of raw sewage into the Tijuana River, highlighting that partial measures would not suffice. He noted that Mexico still needs to fulfill its financial commitments, including the allocation of $88 million pledged in a 2022 agreement, to fund essential infrastructure projects aimed at mitigating the crisis. ​

The EPA Administrator also announced plans to collaborate with Mexican officials to develop a comprehensive list of action items required to resolve the crisis permanently. This list will serve as a framework for both nations to coordinate efforts and ensure accountability in addressing the environmental disaster.  

The EPA's renewed focus on the Tijuana River sewage crisis underscores the urgency of addressing cross-border environmental challenges through bilateral cooperation and sustained commitment to public health and ecological preservation.