### Binational Contamination to Persist until at Least 2028
The ongoing binational contamination caused by continuous wastewater spills in Tijuana is not expected to be resolved with the completion of the San Antonio de los Buenos plant alone, as 14 additional hydraulic projects are still pending. Rosario Norzagaray, the Marine Waste Manager for the Costa Salvaje association, has described the slow efforts to address these wastewater flows as “criminal.”
To tackle the constant flows into the Tijuana River and the Pacific Ocean, the governments of Mexico and the United States signed Act 328 of the International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC) to implement sanitation projects on both sides of the border. Signed in July 2022, the act outlines 17 works, with the U.S. government contributing $330.3 million, and Mexico adding another $143.7 million.
“This minute is listing the works that will allow those of us living in this basin to know that the wastewater we are generating is being treated and will not go on to pollute the ocean,” explained Norzagaray.
The act plans to complete projects including collectors, interceptors, emitters, pumping stations, and treatment plants by 2028. However, Mexican authorities have only completed two of the listed projects as of now. According to the IBWC portal, only the rehabilitation of PBCILA and the Oriente Collector have been finished.
On the Mexican side, the projects are being executed by the National Water Commission (Conagua), Tijuana State Public Services Commission (CESPT), and the Ministry of National Defense (Sedena). Most projects are still in the planning phase. Currently underway are the International Collector, the Laureles I and II System’s pumping plants, and the San Antonio de los Buenos (SAB) plant. Managed by Sedena, the SAB plant will have the capacity to treat 800 liters per second, aiming to prevent more than 1,200 liters per second of untreated water from spilling into the sea.
The SAB plant is expected to be operational by December, according to Arturo Espinoza Jaramillo, head of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Territorial Development (SIDURT). However, Norzagaray emphasized that unless all treatment plants operate properly, the issue will persist. “In Tijuana, it would mean that everyone would have to stop using water while the authority repairs, rehabilitates, or updates our wastewater infrastructure, and that hasn’t happened,” she noted.
Meanwhile, U.S. authorities have committed to expanding the South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant (SBIWTP), beginning with the groundbreaking ceremony on September 30. The plant treats up to 25 million gallons of water per day from the Tijuana River that flows into U.S. territory, and its rehabilitation will increase waste capture capacity.
Norzagaray pointed out that addressing the treatment plants on both sides will not entirely solve the problem due to significant infrastructure deficits. “Population growth is outpacing the extension of public services like drainage and potable water supply,” she added.
### Additional Information on Binational Water Contamination
**Contamination in Border Waters Continues Despite Efforts**
Despite ongoing efforts, the contamination of binational waters between Mexico and the U.S. remains a critical issue. Residents have long complained about the foul odor and health risks posed by untreated wastewater spilling into the Tijuana River and the Pacific Ocean.
The two countries’ governments have acknowledged the severity of the problem. In addition to the infrastructure projects outlined in Act 328, community leaders and environmental activists continue to push for more urgent actions. Various local organizations have been advocating for increased transparency and quicker execution of the proposed projects.
**Public Health Concerns Rise**
Public health officials in both countries have raised concerns about the long-term effects of the contamination on communities near the border. The untreated wastewater carries numerous pathogens and pollutants that pose serious health risks, including gastrointestinal illnesses and skin infections.
**Funding and Resource Challenges**
Both nations face significant challenges in securing adequate funding and resources for the pending projects. Despite the financial commitments detailed in Act 328, delays are inevitable due to bureaucratic hurdles and the scale of necessary infrastructure work.
**Community Involvement and Activism**
Local communities and organizations have been increasingly vocal about the need for immediate action. Initiatives aimed at raising public awareness and pressuring governments to expedite projects are growing. Community clean-up events and educational campaigns are also common, aiming to mitigate pollution sources and engage the public in preservation efforts.
For more updates on the binational contamination issue, stay tuned to TJGringo.com.