ICYMI: Trump Administration Announces Another Historic Milestone Toward Implementing 100% Solution to the Tijuana River Sewage Crisis
WASHINGTON – On Monday, December 15, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the signing a historic new agreement between the United States and Mexico, called Minute 333, marking additional significant progress to permanently and urgently end the decades-long Tijuana River sewage crisis. Minute 333 outlines many new Mexico-side infrastructure projects, research, enhanced monitoring, and planning for operation and maintenance of critical sites that will account for future population growth in Tijuana. This agreement does not obligate any new U.S. taxpayer funding. The Trump Administration will continue working with our Mexican counterparts to ensure agreed-upon items are implemented as quickly as humanly possible. Every project completed in this Minute over the course of 2026 and 2027 (as well as one project scheduled for 2028 completion) will bring us closer to ending this human health crisis for good.
Here’s the latest:
Administrator Zeldin on X: “To permanently and urgently end the decades old Tijuana River Sewage Crisis, yesterday’s signed agreement between the United States and Mexico, Minute 333, details several necessary Mexico side actions to be completed in 2026 and 2027 (with one project slated for 2028). No additional U.S. tax dollars have been obligated as part of this new agreement. While this cross-border health crisis doesn’t simply end with a stroke of a pen, the urgent completion of these agreed upon actions will finally result in an end to this human health catastrophe for good. Since my visit to this border region in April 2025, my team has been working VERY closely with Mexico on all measures necessary to end this crisis, and that level of engagement will be sure to continue to ensure ALL actions outlined in yesterday’s agreement, and our July Memorandum of Understanding, are implemented as quickly as humanly possible to deliver the long sought after 100% solution. Here is some coverage of yesterday’s announcement on CBS 8.”
Administrator Zeldin on X: “The U.S. and Mexico have reached an agreement, signed TODAY, marking additional significant progress towards urgently and permanently ending the Tijuana River Sewage Crisis. This agreement, called Minute 333, outlines many new Mexico-side infrastructure projects, research, enhanced monitoring, and planning for operation and maintenance of critical sites that will account for future population growth in Tijuana. We will now work with our Mexican counterparts to ensure agreed-upon items are implemented as quickly as humanly possible, building on the good, cooperative work these past few months that has been taking place through high-level dialogue and coordination to get us to this point. Minute 333 does NOT obligate ANY new U.S. taxpayer funding. Every project we complete in this Minute over the course of 2026 and 2027 (as well as one project scheduled for 2028 completion), along with other items previously agreed upon in the July Memorandum of Understanding I signed in Mexico City, will end this human health crisis for good. The Trump Administration is working diligently to end the foul odors, reopen the beaches, and reverse the degradation of the Tijuana River Valley that many have unfortunately grown accustomed to over decades.”
Secretary Rubio on X: “Minute 333 is a necessary step in ending the Tijuana River Sewage Crisis, which has plagued our region for decades. President Trump is working alongside our Mexican counterparts and partners in the EPA and IBWC to fix this human health crisis once and for all.”
EPA on X: “Headlines throughout San Diego and across the country are highlighting the new US-Mexico agreement to urgently and permanently end the decades old Tijuana River sewage crisis. The agreement, known as Minute 333, builds off the July MOU between the two countries and outlines new Mexico-side infrastructure projects, research, enhanced monitoring, and planning for the operation and maintenance of critical sites to account for future population growth in Tijuana—without obligating any new U.S. taxpayer funding. As projects get completed over the course of 2026 and 2027 (with one project set to be completed in 2028), the 100% solution will be achieved for San Diego area residents who have been rightfully demanding this effort for decades.”
Deputy Administrator Fotouhi on X: "Yesterday, EPA announced another historic milestone toward ending the Tijuana River sewage crisis. The United States and Mexican sections of the International Boundary and Water Commission have signed Minute 333, a new agreement that advances infrastructure, enhanced monitoring, and long-term operations and maintenance planning to account for future population growth in Tijuana. This agreement was negotiated and signed in less than five months, a process that historically took years, and it does not obligate any additional U.S. taxpayer funding.”
In the news:
Breitbart: EPA Moving at 'Trump Speed' to Solve Tijuana River Sewage Crisis, More Progress Made
“The decades-long Tijuana River sewage crisis is closer to being solved with a historic new agreement between the United States and Mexico, with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) officials saying the Trump Administration ‘has not been shy about holding Mexico accountable.”
CBS8 San Diego: Trump administration signs updated agreement with Mexico over Tijuana sewage
“. . . Minute 333, as the agreement is called, leans more heavily on Mexico than previous partnerships and factors in growth in Tijuana in its infrastructure plans.”
NBC 7 San Diego: US and Mexico sign ‘Minute 333’ to push long-term fix for border sewage crisis
“. . . To ensure accountability, money designated for Mexico’s repairs and upgrades will be held in an account and released only for those specific uses. Fotouhi said Mexico will also develop the Tijuana Water Infrastructure Master Plan to guide long-term planning.”
Reuters: US, Mexico sign new agreement on Tijuana River sewage crisis, EPA says
“The United States and Mexico signed a new agreement aimed at addressing the ongoing Tijuana River sewage crisis, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said Monday in a statement. The decades-long issue of Mexican sewage flowing into the Tijuana River and across the U.S. border before emptying into the Pacific Ocean near San Diego has been a point of contention between the U.S. and Mexico.”
Coronado Times: US and Mexico reach new agreement in addressing Tijuana sewage crisis
“. . . Minute 333 is an effort to coordinate infrastructure projects, improve monitoring, and address long-standing gaps in planning and maintenance on both sides of the border, said David Fotouhi, deputy administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), during a press briefing.”
Daily Caller: Trump Admin Holding Mexico’s Feet To Fire In New Migrating Sewage Deal
“. . . California politicians across the political aisle threw their support behind the Monday agreement, with the EPA displaying statements from Republican California Rep. Darrell Issa and Democratic Reps. Scott Peters and Mike Levin.”
The Latin Times: U.S. And Mexico Sign Deal To Address Tijuana River Sewage Crisis After Trump Calls It a 'Threat'
“. . . The EPA noted that the agreement was negotiated and signed in record time, ‘beating the December 31st deadline set in the July Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed by EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin and Secretary of the Environment and National Resources of Mexico Alicia Bárcena Ibarra in Mexico City.”
EconoTimes: U.S. and Mexico Reach New Agreement to Tackle Tijuana River Sewage Crisis
“. . . The EPA emphasized that the agreement is designed to deliver sustainable, long-term solutions rather than temporary fixes. By improving sewage treatment facilities and strengthening binational collaboration, both governments hope to significantly reduce the flow of contaminated water into the river and coastal areas.”
Mexico News Daily: Mexico, US sign accord to solve toxic sewage crisis at border
“. . . Minute 333 builds on the July 24, 2025, Memorandum of Understanding Addressing the Sanitation and Environmental Crisis in the Tijuana-San Diego Region (MOU) signed in Mexico City by Zeldin and Mexican Environment Minister Alicia Bárcena. In the MOU, Mexico agreed to begin work soon on US $93 million worth of improvements to the Tijuana sewage system, while also committing to enhanced maintenance projects.”
California Globe: EPA Announces New Agreement Between US and Mexico To End The Tijuana River Sewage Crisis
“The U.S. and Mexican Sections of the International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC) agreed to a list of new actions, including infrastructure projects, research, enhanced monitoring, and planning for operation and maintenance of critical sites and systems that will account for future population growth in Tijuana, a key component that was missing from previous agreements made prior to the Trump Administration.”
Mexico Business News: US, Mexico Sign Minute 333 to Tackle Tijuana River Pollution
“The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the signing of Minute 333, a new bilateral agreement between the United States and Mexico designed to address the sewage contamination affecting the Tijuana River. The agreement, reached by the US and Mexican Sections of the International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC), introduces additional actions intended to support a permanent resolution to the issue.”