US, Mexico Sign US$93 Million Deal to Fix Tijuana River Sewage

The United States and Mexico have signed a US$93 million agreement to address the decades‑old sewage overflow in the Tijuana River, which has long polluted California beaches and posed serious public health risks. Finalized on July 24 by EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin and Mexico’s Environment Minister Alicia Bárcena, the accord outlines a joint implementation plan through 2027 to modernize wastewater infrastructure on both sides of the border.

As part of the agreement, Mexico will accelerate an ongoing US$93 million infrastructure upgrade, completing several key projects four years ahead of schedule. At the same time, the U.S. will expand its South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant, increasing treatment capacity from 25 to 35 million gallons per day to manage the cross-border sewage flow. Under the terms, Mexico will begin diverting 10 million gallons of treated sewage per day away from the shoreline this year, while the US expansion is expected to be completed by the end of August.

The Tijuana River—spanning approximately 120 miles—has carried up to 50 million gallons of sewage-contaminated water daily into Imperial Beach and the Pacific Ocean, including raw sewage, industrial waste, and debris.

Zeldin called the agreement “a huge win for millions of Americans and Mexicans who have been calling on us to end this decades-old crisis.” Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum committed to expanding the San Antonio de los Buenos treatment plant, which previously discharged around 23 million gallons of untreated sewage per day, and reaffirmed Mexico’s pledge to achieve full sanitation coverage in Tijuana.

Environmental advocates also welcomed the agreement. Kristan Culbert, associate director, American Rivers, stated, “Communities along the Tijuana River have suffered this public health crisis for far too long.”

Since 2020, both countries have committed over US$653 million to tackle the issue. However, US authorities note that delays in implementation have continued to hinder progress.