EPA Releases First Quarterly Public Update on Progress Toward Implementing a Permanent 100% Solution to Tijuana River Sewage Crisis
WASHINGTON – Today, in coordination with the U.S. International Boundary and Water Commission (USIBWC), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is releasing its first quarterly public update detailing progress made towards implementing a permanent, 100% solution to the Tijuana River sewage crisis afflicting millions of Americans in Southern California. Today’s public update marks another milestone in implementing the historic Memorandum of Understanding EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin and Secretary of the Environment and National Resources of Mexico Alicia Bárcena Ibarra signed in Mexico City in July 2025.
“The Trump Administration committed to delivering an urgent and permanent 100% solution to the millions of people afflicted by this crisis, and it is critical that we are transparent with the public about ongoing projects as well as the status of upcoming projects. Our mission will not be accomplished until we reach the 100% solution,” said Administrator Lee Zeldin. “So far, we have successfully implemented this MOU well ahead of the projected timeline. We are committed to maintaining full transparency regarding both our current initiatives and the progress of future projects, ensuring the public stays informed about our ongoing efforts and planned developments. Safeguarding public health and environmental integrity stands as EPA's foremost responsibility, and every American deserves confidence in the safety of the air they inhale and the recreational areas they enjoy.”
“President Trump, EPA Administrator Zeldin, and the USIBWC are making real progress on a 100% solution to permanently eliminate American exposure to Mexican sewage from the Tijuana River,” said USIBWC Commissioner Chad McIntosh. “As we accelerate our infrastructure improvements at our San Diego plant, we will continue to monitor Mexico's progress to make sure they also urgently complete the work they agreed to do. This information will be shared with our stakeholders who support our commitment to finally solve the Tijuana River sewage crisis.”
Section 1(b) of the MOU requires the United States and Mexico to issue clear, coordinated, and at least quarterly updates to the public. This quarterly public update details the historic progress both nations have made towards fully and faithfully executing the MOU, including:
- USIBWC completing a 10 million gallons per day (mgd) interim expansion of the South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant (SBIWTP);
- Mexico initiating the construction of the First Phase of the Tijuana River Gates, a collection pipes project, with Mexican state and federal funds;
- A U.S.-Mexico binational working group announcing timelines for key Minute 328 projects had been compressed by an additional 9 months;
- USIBWC completing a nanobubble ozonation pilot project for the Tijuana River and starting to plan for an accelerated 50 mgd expansion of SBIWTP;
- EPA and SEMARNAT developing strategies for operations and maintenance (O&M) costs and accounts; and
- U.S. and Mexican Sections of the IBWC entering final negotiations for a new treaty “Minute.”
The MOU established a framework for permanent resolution through three critical priorities crucial to achieving a 100% solution to the transboundary pollution crisis:
- Securing Mexico's Financial Commitments
- Accelerating Project Timelines
- Adding Other Necessary Projects that Factor in Future Population Growth in the Tijuana River Valley
Future projects and timelines include Mexico allocating the remaining Minute 328 funds as part of Mexico’s 2026-2027 budgets, including half (USD$46M) in 2026 and half (USD$47M) in 2027, to facilitate completion of the remaining Minute 328 projects by December 31, 2027, or sooner, in accordance with the following project priority schedule:
- Construction in Calendar Year 2026:
- Rehabilitation of the Insurgentes Collector;
- Rehabilitation of PB Matadero and Laureles Pump Station 2;
- Rehabilitation of Poniente Interceptor;
- Rehabilitation of the Oriente Interceptor;
- Rehabilitation of the Collector Carranza; and
- Backup power supply for PB1.
- Rehabilitation of the Insurgentes Collector;
- Construction in Calendar Year 2027:
- Upgrades to the Arturo Herrera and La Morita WWTPs;
- International Collector Phase II;
- Rehabilitation of the Antiguo Force Main
- Lift station and force main from Sainz Canyon to Arturo Herrera; and
- Enclose the open channel from PB1 to SAB WWTP.
- Upgrades to the Arturo Herrera and La Morita WWTPs;
December 31, 2027 is the deadline to complete all Minute 328 projects.
Administrator Zeldin made it clear when he signed this agreement that the only way to achieve this desired end goal is to have a plan that takes into account all three of these key pillars. Sacrificing one of them would mean the “100%” solution would not be reached.
Since signing this MOU in July, the Trump Administration has made historic progress on implementing the agreement. In August, EPA and IBWC announced the completion of a 10 mgd expansion of the SBIWTP, which will significantly reduce wastewater flowing into the Tijuana River and help eliminate foul smells that have long plagued San Diego area residents. This project was initially projected to take two years, but the Trump Administration completed it in 100 days. The U.S. Section of the International Boundary and Water Commission (USIBWC) is working closely with our local and Mexican partners as we enter the rainy season in the San Diego-Tijuana area. The South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant will continue to treat sewage from Tijuana at full capacity while we protect its infrastructure from excess sediment and trash that come with stormwater.
This public update provides further details on Mexico’s progress on meeting commitments the country agreed to in signing the MOU.
The next milestone will be the signing of a new “Minute” by the end of 2025. As the public update notes, the U.S. and Mexico sections of the IBWC are finalizing negotiations.