The Trump administration is intensifying efforts to address a longstanding sewage crisis affecting the U.S.-Mexico border. Since 2018, over 100 billion gallons of raw sewage, trash, and stormwater have flowed from Tijuana into San Diego, causing significant environmental and public health concerns. The aging wastewater system in Tijuana has been overwhelmed by a growing population, leading to frequent beach closures and health issues for Navy SEALs training in nearby waters.
EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin has publicly urged Mexico to address the sewage issue and fulfill its commitments to control pollution impacting the United States. Zeldin plans to visit the affected region soon to assess the situation firsthand. According to Politico, the U.S. has historically funded projects to treat the pollution, including a $300 million upgrade to an international water treatment plant on the U.S. side of the border. However, Zeldin insists that Mexico should finance infrastructure improvements on its side.
California Democrats, including Reps. Scott Peters and Juan Vargas and Sens. Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff, have invited Zeldin to visit the South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant to witness the crisis’s impact on local communities. They emphasize the need for continued EPA involvement in resolving the issue, as reported by Yahoo News.
The sewage crisis has led to multiple lawsuits and new scientific studies to assess the health impacts on affected communities. According to inewsource, researchers from the Scripps Institution of Oceanography and other institutions are investigating the pollution’s effects, with preliminary results expected soon. Meanwhile, local officials continue to push for federal and state support to address the ongoing environmental and public health challenges.
Recent Comments