On Thursday, the United States and Mexico took significant steps towards addressing the long-standing sewage crisis affecting San Diego County by signing a memorandum of understanding (MOU).
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin emphasized the urgency of the matter during an online briefing from Mexico City, where the agreement was signed.
Zeldin made it clear that the focus is on speed in implementing solutions, stating, “If any speed changes, that speed will have to be a speed to go faster.”
The Tijuana River has historically been a conduit for raw sewage to invade San Diego’s South Bay communities, causing environmental damage and public health concerns. For years, Tijuana’s aging infrastructure has allowed billions of gallons of untreated waste to pollute the area, affecting water, soil, and air quality.
Zeldin recalled his personal experience with the odor pervasive in Southern California communities during an inspection earlier this year, underscoring the urgency of action. During that visit, he demanded a commitment from Mexico to provide a roadmap for solutions, which was finalized with the signing of the MOU.
Key points included in the agreement state that Mexico must allocate $93 million to fulfill previous commitments, expedite project completion, and enhance its infrastructure to prevent future incidents. Zeldin pointed out the need to plan for population growth and other challenges in the years ahead, asking, “Where do we need to be in 2030 and 2035 and beyond?”
As negotiations were concluding, new San Diego County Supervisor Paloma Aguirre emphasized the necessity for immediate action.
“We need immediate and tangible action,” she proclaimed, affirming her intent to improve conditions for those impacted by the sewage crisis.
Aguirre announced that the county would initiate actions within the next 30 days and mentioned plans to track illnesses associated with the pollution more closely, improve visual warnings regarding contaminated waters, and monitor for hazardous pollutants.
Beach closures in Imperial Beach have persisted for over 1,300 days, prompting a demand for decisive action.
Zeldin reiterated that while these expedited plans would take years to come to fruition, the United States would ensure that Mexico remains accountable throughout the process.
Local leaders praised the agreement as a crucial milestone for coastal communities.
County Supervisor Jim Desmond highlighted the importance of the moment, stating, “Today’s announcement on the Tijuana Sewage Crisis is a major step forward for San Diego and our coastal communities. I commend the federal government and EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin for making this a top priority and for holding Mexico accountable after decades of inaction.”
San Diego’s mayor also expressed support on social media, describing the signing of the MOU as a significant advancement for San Diego and coastal communities.
As both nations work collaboratively to mitigate this public health crisis, the focus remains on timely and effective solutions to safeguard the health of residents and the environment.
image source from：nbcsandiego
