Governor Gavin Newsom announced that President Biden has signed a federal funding bill allocating $250 million to repair and expand the South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant near the U.S.-Mexico border in San Diego. This investment, secured with California’s congressional delegation and the Biden-Harris Administration, aims to reduce untreated sewage flows into California’s coastal waters, improving public health and environmental conditions.
The sewage crisis has led to beach closures for 1,000 consecutive days, affecting public health, local economies, ecosystems, and even impacting border agents and U.S. Navy Seal special operation forces training in those waters. Governor Newsom emphasized the significance of this funding by stating: “For far too long, communities in the Tijuana River Valley have borne the brunt of this cross-border pollution crisis. Today’s funding marks a long-term turning point — we are delivering the resources needed to protect public health, restore our beaches, and give residents the clean air and water they deserve.”
Governor Newsom has worked alongside federal, state, and local partners over years to secure critical funding for addressing cross-border pollution from the Tijuana River. He has helped secure $703 million in federal funding for upgrades to the South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant.
In October, plans were announced to purchase $2.7 million worth of air purifiers for local residents with reimbursement from the state. Since 2019, California allocated $35 million in state funding for pollution cleanup efforts in the Tijuana River Valley.
Federal authorities committed to expediting construction timelines for infrastructure repairs. Public health officials are working closely with local authorities on air quality monitoring and public health efforts. The state facilitated CDC resource deployment on-site to assess conditions.
State authorities are using enforcement tools for infrastructure improvements at the federal wastewater treatment plant. The San Diego Water Board is holding the facility accountable for several repair actions.
Governor Newsom urged continued partnerships with federal and Mexican partners to address this crisis during discussions with Mexican authorities including Baja Governor Marina del Pilar Ávila Olmeda.
