During an Earth Day visit to San Diego, the head of the Environmental Protection Agency, Lee Zeldin, made a pressing demand for Mexico to mitigate the ongoing flow of billions of gallons of sewage and chemicals from Tijuana into the U.S. environment.
Zeldin toured the South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant and flew over the Tijuana River watershed, highlighting the urgent need to tackle this environmental challenge that has persisted for decades.
He also had a scheduled meeting with Navy SEALs who have reported illness due to contaminated waters near the Naval Amphibious Base in Coronado.
In his remarks, Zeldin indicated that his agency intends to provide Mexico with a list of critical projects aimed at alleviating the environmental crisis, but he refrained from detailing how the Trump administration would hold Mexico accountable if it fails to respond.
The pollution from Tijuana has been a significant concern, affecting beaches off Imperial Beach and Coronado, leading to frequent closures.
Zeldin described the issue as “top of mind” for President Donald Trump, adding that the administration has not yet considered the imposition of tariffs to encourage action from Mexico.
“We’re going to know whether or not Mexico is going to do its part to resolve it, and then we’ll go from there, as far as strategy and tactics,” he said.
The Tijuana River, which spans 120 miles and flows past numerous South Bay communities before reaching the Pacific Ocean, serves as a major conduit for pollution resulting from outdated wastewater treatment plants in Tijuana and a rising population that contributes to industrial waste.
Since 2018, over 100 billion gallons of raw sewage, infused with industrial chemicals and debris, have contaminated the Tijuana River, leading to acute health concerns for anyone engaging with the water, including swimmers, lifeguards, and even individuals who are merely in the vicinity.
Studies indicate that the sewage aerosolizes and becomes part of the air inhaled by residents, posing broader public health risks.
Amid these conditions, the Navy is considering relocating its SEAL training site after recording 1,168 cases of acute gastrointestinal illnesses among recruits from 2019 to 2023.
Zeldin mentioned that while over $653 million has been allocated since 2020 to tackle the problem, progress has been hindered largely by delays from the Mexican government.
However, he expressed optimism that the situation may improve under President Claudia Sheinbaum, who took office in October.
Zeldin met with Alicia Bárcena, the secretary of the Environment and Natural Resources of Mexico, during his trip, and he noted that she expressed a strong desire to collaborate on resolving these pressing issues.
“What’s being communicated by the new Mexican president is an intense desire to fully resolve this situation,” Zeldin remarked, emphasizing the need for Mexico to take effective action.
He conveyed that Californians cannot be expected to endure the continuous environmental crisis, stating, “There’s no way that we are going to stand before the people of California and ask them to have more patience and just bear with all of us as we go through the next 10 or 20 or 30 years of being stuck in 12 feet of raw sewage.”
In response to Zeldin’s commitment and visit, the Transboundary Pollution Coalition for Advocacy and Healing issued a statement highlighting the severity of the pollution crisis.
“Working families on both sides of the border have a right to be together outdoors around a healthy river and coastline,” they declared. “The Tijuana River pollution crisis is complex and binational, and our community-based coalition is deeply committed to respecting human rights and working collaboratively in both the U.S. and Mexico.”
Local officials, including Representatives Darrell Issa, Mike Levin, and Juan Vargas, as well as county Supervisors Joel Anderson and Jim Desmond, joined Zeldin in meetings, reflecting a bipartisan commitment to addressing the sewage crisis.
Zeldin pointed out that Mexico is engaged in several wastewater treatment projects aimed at reducing contaminants and making essential upgrades to existing facilities.
He urged that complete installation of various projects is critical, including the proposed installation of floodgates to collect trash in Tijuana and systems designed to divert significant volumes of sewage from coastal waters.
Amid the discussions, members of the groups San Diego 350 and the Coastal Environmental Rights Foundation were present to voice their concerns about the Trump administration’s environmental policies.
These groups emphasized the necessity of protecting community health and criticized funding cuts to environmental health programs and threats aimed at organizations focused on preserving these essential protections.
As the situation develops and Mexico considers the proposed projects, the ongoing dialogue reflects a shared commitment to improving environmental conditions for both countries’ residents and safeguarding health and safety.
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