To address the ongoing pollution of San Diego County beaches, the U.S. Section of the International Boundary and Water Commission (USIBWC) plans to spend $27 million over the next two years to make repairs to the South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant.
USIBWC Commissioner Dr. Maria-Elena Giner met with U.S. Senator Laphonza Butler and Governor Gavin Newsom to outline steps the agency was taking.
The USIBWC says the transboundary pollution that has closed beaches in San Diego County has gone on for long enough and they want to do something about it. The goal is to rehabilitate and expand the plant with the goal of reducing cross-border flows by 90% in combination with Mexico’s projects.
Mexico has committed $144 million for 17 infrastructure projects aimed at addressing the pollution, with approximately 30% of the funding secured. The USIBWC is closely working with the Mexican government to ensure their compliance with Minute 328, a U.S.-Mexico agreement on wastewater treatment.
The opening of the beaches and addressing the public health threat are a priority for the USIBWC. The agency is committed to ensuring that the U.S. and Mexican wastewater treatment plants are functioning properly and that the two countries can move forward with a comprehensive plan to reduce transboundary flows and protect the health of coastal communities.
