For the second time in a month, a pipeline carrying raw sewage from Tijuana has ruptured, unleashing raw sewage. But, this time, the sewage was captured by a dam on the U.S. side and failed to reach the Tijuana River channel, according to U.S. officials.
The earlier pipeline collapse sent millions of gallons into the river and out to sea, compounding a crisis that has closed South Bay beaches and created health problems for years.
The two incidents reflect Mexico’s struggle not just to treat the sewage of a burgeoning population, but to maintain outdated infrastructure in one of that country’s biggest cities.
The U.S. Section of the International Boundary and Water Commission (USIBWC) said the latest pipeline rupture, on Feb. 10, released thousands of gallons of raw sewage that was blocked at a dam north of Stewart’s Drain.
The agency stressed that no wastewater reached the Tijuana River channel and there were no impacts to the international treatment plant. The pipeline was repaired and cleanup performed within hours by contractors Veolia and INBODE, it added.
The commission explained the pipeline is a bypass used to send sewage to the South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant while work is underway at a junction box.
According to the agency, backup pumps inside Stewart’s Drain intended to capture potential flows were overwhelmed by approximately 36,000 gallons of raw sewage.
“USIBWC quickly turned on additional portable pumps at Stewart’s Drain and deployed vacuum trucks to capture the flow,” said the USIBWC. “The total amount recovered is being calculated.”
This pipeline rupture comes after the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin visited Coronado on Feb. 5 to discuss the ongoing sewage crisis with elected officials.
During a press conference, Zeldin said he believes Mexico will continue to meet construction targets they committed to in Minute 333.
“And if they don’t, I think Mexico has realized that there’s all sorts of other negotiations that are going on, where there will be consequences,” said Zeldin.
For now, the entire Coronado shoreline remains closed due to bacteria levels exceeding health standards since December of last year.
