Federal officials on Tuesday said the expansion of an overwhelmed South Bay sewage treatment plant will be accelerated and could be completed in just 100 days.
According to the announcement, by the United States International Boundary and Water Commission and the Environmental Protection Agency. the project, to increase the South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant’s capacity from 25 to 35 million gallons per day, has been fast-tracked. It had originally been set to take two years.
Officials credited “this critical expansion” to the “aggressive leadership of the Trump Administration.”
Last month, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin visited with San Diego leaders and discussed the ongoing issues in the Tijuana River Valley due to cross-border pollution.
In a joint statement from the IBWC and EPA, officials called the expansion “a major milestone.”
“This strategy will deliver immediate benefits by reducing polluted river flows and addressing odors that have been a longstanding concern for U.S. residents,” they said. “The USIBWC and EPA remain fully committed to accelerating infrastructure improvements and cross-border environmental solutions.”
Paloma Aguirre, the mayor of Imperial Beach, where beaches consistently have warnings posted due to polluted waters, praised the agencies’ pledge as “welcome relief for South County.”
“This is the most substantive promise for action we’ve seen to date from the federal government, but we’ve still got a long way to go,” said Aguirre, who is one of two candidates running for the South Bay’s vacant county supervisor’s seat. “Still, today is a good day – and proof that when South County speaks up and pushes hard, we get things done.”
Aguirre last week joined South County community members to call for increased county action and funding for the Tijuana River sewage crisis.
Rep. Scott Peters, flanked by Rep. Juan Vargas, left, and Sen. Alex Padilla, last year discussed proposed legislation governing Tijuana River sewage. Photo credit: @RepScottPeters via XShe laid out an action plan and urged county leaders to adopt “immediate, targeted action” to protect South Bay residents’ health.
Since October 2018, the IBWC has recorded more than 200 billion gallons of waste coming into the U.S. through the Tijuana River Valley.
County, state and federal officials on both sides of the border have long struggled with how to solve the ongoing issue of untreated flows, which ultimately impact South Bay beaches, where beach-goers often are warned to avoid contact with the water.
The problem took on more urgency last year as residents complained not only of a stark increase in odors, but worse, health problems. Doctors said they see patients of all ages, from kids who are wheezing, to others with migraine headaches and seniors with chronic lung conditions.
Previous actions have included more than $400 million in federal funding secured by San Diego’s congressional delegation to repair and expand the plant, amid declarations of states of emergency from local municipal agencies – including the San Diego City Council, Imperial Beach and San Diego County.
The Centers for Disease Control also launched studies in the South Bay to determine the health impacts of residents’ exposure to the fumes.
In addition, last month the river placed second on America’s Top 10 Most Endangered Rivers of 2025 list.
A week ago, sewage flow across the U.S.-Mexico border temporarily increased in the Tijuana River Valley as part of a sewer line-repair project in Mexico.
The county Air Pollution Control District said that effort could increase pollution at South County beaches, as untreated wastewater is diverted south of the border.
The existing line moves untreated wastewater to the South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant in the United States and the San Antonio de los Buenos Plant in Mexico, according to the APCD.
City News Service contributed to this report.
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