Cross Border Water Pollution

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Cross Border Water Pollution in South Bay

The City of Tijuana's regional wastewater infrastructure is decades old, has inadequate capacity to treat and convey wastewater and suffers from repeated breaks and system failures. These failures lead to spillage and wastewater discharge into the Tijuana River, its tributaries and outfall into the Pacific Ocean, polluting the ocean waters off Imperial Beach, Coronado, and beyond.

On September 3, 2024, the Coronado City Council adopted a Resolution Asserting the Necessity and Urgency to Resolve Cross Border Water Pollution and Restore Environmental Quality and Access to Coastal Water.


Coronado's Plan for Addressing Cross Border Water Pollution

The City of Coronado has been tirelessly advocating for wastewater treatment solutions since 2016, along with other regional partners.

  • In 2022 the federal government allocated $330 million to mitigate the problem, with the Mexican government contributing another $144 million.
  • In early 2024, the federal government allocated an additional $200 million to augment the International Boundary & Water Commission (IBWC) budget, which is responsible for treating cross border flows at their International treatment plant located in San Diego.


Cross Border Water Quality Quarterly Reports


Reporting Air Quality Complaints (San Diego County Air Pollution Control District)

If someone is experiencing air quality complaints, they believe may be linked to sewage impacts from the Tijuana River Valley, contact the San Diego County Air Pollution Control District at 858-586-2650 or email apcdcomp@sdapcd.org or use their website.


Planned Projects in San Diego & Tijuana
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the IBWC have planned several projects in San Diego and Tijuana to address cross border water pollution. The projects will help improve water quality for local communities; however, will take time to design and construct.

  1. Expand capacity of the existing sewage treatment plant on the U.S. side of the border. (Press Release 10.29.24)
    • The U.S. section of the International Boundary and Water Commission (USIBWC) celebrated the launch of the rehabilitation and expansion of the South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant (SBIWTP), a project that will double the facility's capacity. The work at the San Diego, Calif., plant is being funded jointly between the USIBWC and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency with the aim of drastically reducing transboundary sewage flows from Baja California, Mexico. The project’s early work to start this year includes setting up a bypass system for the primary facilities and performing in-depth structural assessments of the concrete structures. This will be followed with concrete repairs early in the new year. Learn more on the IBWC website.
  2. Replace San Antonio de las Buenas treatment plant that discharges untreated sewage at Punta Bandera in Mexico.
  3. Build an additional treatment plant on the US side of the border to treat river flows.
  4. Install a trash boom in the river on the US side of the border.
  5. Additional repairs to the sewage collection system in Mexico.


Timeline for Current Improvements

With this funding, projects are expected to be completed and operational by the end of 2027 that would result in a 50% reduction in the number of days of transboundary wastewater flow in the Tijuana River and an 90% reduction in the volume of untreated wastewater discharged to the Pacific Ocean.

  • Summer 2024: IBWC plant designs complete, construction contract for infrastructure improvements to be released.
  • September 2024: Mexico stated they will complete repairs on their Punta de Bandera treatment plant.
  • For a map of the related infrastructure improvements, please visit the EPA website.


Why are the Ocean Waters in South Bay Intermittently Closed

Many parts of Tijuana’s wastewater infrastructure are decades old, have inadequate capacity to treat and convey wastewater and suffer from repeated breaks and system failures. During and after significant rain events and wastewater system breaks in Mexico, untreated water can flow northward carrying contaminants into U.S. waters off San Diego.

During winter and spring months, unusually heavy and frequent rain events create significant flows down the Tijuana River that propel much higher-than-normal volumes of contaminants into the ocean environment. This results in a greater number of ocean closures, warnings and advisories from Imperial Beach to Coronado than is typically experienced at other times of the year.

In May of 2022, San Diego County also introduced a first-in-the-nation ocean water quality testing protocol which has yielded more closures than under prior testing protocols. On Coronado, water samples are taken daily. When samples approach or exceed the test’s threshold, an ocean advisory, warning or closure is designated, and signs are posted on the beach.


Next Steps to Ensure Local Waters are Open for Recreation

The City of Coronado continues collaboration at the local, state and federal levels to protect our water resources. While much has been done to dedicate necessary resources, ongoing attention and advocacy is needed to ensure these projects advance and complete as quickly as possible. It is estimated that an additional $300 million beyond the currently allocated $470 million is needed to fund all of the infrastructure improvements on both sides of the border.

On April 3, 2023, the Coronado City Council voted to create dedicated Council Subcommittee on Cross Border Water Pollution to continue to the City’s focus on legislative advocacy and aggressively pursuing solutions with regional partners. The City encourages the community to stay informed and sign up here for e-updates as more information becomes available on funding and the status of projects.


Related Documents

How to Support Collaborative Efforts to Improve Water Quality in South Bay

If you would like to get involved, reach out to the EPA Region 9 Office and your local U.S. Senator and Congressmember to voice your concerns. Encourage your representatives to continue to support additional funding for wastewater treatment facilities along the U.S./Mexico border and to support efforts to expedite the IBWC group of improvement projects that have already been funded and are underway. Together, we can ensure clean water for all who use South County’s bays and beaches.


Cross Border Water Pollution in South Bay

The City of Tijuana's regional wastewater infrastructure is decades old, has inadequate capacity to treat and convey wastewater and suffers from repeated breaks and system failures. These failures lead to spillage and wastewater discharge into the Tijuana River, its tributaries and outfall into the Pacific Ocean, polluting the ocean waters off Imperial Beach, Coronado, and beyond.

On September 3, 2024, the Coronado City Council adopted a Resolution Asserting the Necessity and Urgency to Resolve Cross Border Water Pollution and Restore Environmental Quality and Access to Coastal Water.


Coronado's Plan for Addressing Cross Border Water Pollution

The City of Coronado has been tirelessly advocating for wastewater treatment solutions since 2016, along with other regional partners.

  • In 2022 the federal government allocated $330 million to mitigate the problem, with the Mexican government contributing another $144 million.
  • In early 2024, the federal government allocated an additional $200 million to augment the International Boundary & Water Commission (IBWC) budget, which is responsible for treating cross border flows at their International treatment plant located in San Diego.


Cross Border Water Quality Quarterly Reports


Reporting Air Quality Complaints (San Diego County Air Pollution Control District)

If someone is experiencing air quality complaints, they believe may be linked to sewage impacts from the Tijuana River Valley, contact the San Diego County Air Pollution Control District at 858-586-2650 or email apcdcomp@sdapcd.org or use their website.


Planned Projects in San Diego & Tijuana
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the IBWC have planned several projects in San Diego and Tijuana to address cross border water pollution. The projects will help improve water quality for local communities; however, will take time to design and construct.

  1. Expand capacity of the existing sewage treatment plant on the U.S. side of the border. (Press Release 10.29.24)
    • The U.S. section of the International Boundary and Water Commission (USIBWC) celebrated the launch of the rehabilitation and expansion of the South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant (SBIWTP), a project that will double the facility's capacity. The work at the San Diego, Calif., plant is being funded jointly between the USIBWC and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency with the aim of drastically reducing transboundary sewage flows from Baja California, Mexico. The project’s early work to start this year includes setting up a bypass system for the primary facilities and performing in-depth structural assessments of the concrete structures. This will be followed with concrete repairs early in the new year. Learn more on the IBWC website.
  2. Replace San Antonio de las Buenas treatment plant that discharges untreated sewage at Punta Bandera in Mexico.
  3. Build an additional treatment plant on the US side of the border to treat river flows.
  4. Install a trash boom in the river on the US side of the border.
  5. Additional repairs to the sewage collection system in Mexico.


Timeline for Current Improvements

With this funding, projects are expected to be completed and operational by the end of 2027 that would result in a 50% reduction in the number of days of transboundary wastewater flow in the Tijuana River and an 90% reduction in the volume of untreated wastewater discharged to the Pacific Ocean.

  • Summer 2024: IBWC plant designs complete, construction contract for infrastructure improvements to be released.
  • September 2024: Mexico stated they will complete repairs on their Punta de Bandera treatment plant.
  • For a map of the related infrastructure improvements, please visit the EPA website.


Why are the Ocean Waters in South Bay Intermittently Closed

Many parts of Tijuana’s wastewater infrastructure are decades old, have inadequate capacity to treat and convey wastewater and suffer from repeated breaks and system failures. During and after significant rain events and wastewater system breaks in Mexico, untreated water can flow northward carrying contaminants into U.S. waters off San Diego.

During winter and spring months, unusually heavy and frequent rain events create significant flows down the Tijuana River that propel much higher-than-normal volumes of contaminants into the ocean environment. This results in a greater number of ocean closures, warnings and advisories from Imperial Beach to Coronado than is typically experienced at other times of the year.

In May of 2022, San Diego County also introduced a first-in-the-nation ocean water quality testing protocol which has yielded more closures than under prior testing protocols. On Coronado, water samples are taken daily. When samples approach or exceed the test’s threshold, an ocean advisory, warning or closure is designated, and signs are posted on the beach.


Next Steps to Ensure Local Waters are Open for Recreation

The City of Coronado continues collaboration at the local, state and federal levels to protect our water resources. While much has been done to dedicate necessary resources, ongoing attention and advocacy is needed to ensure these projects advance and complete as quickly as possible. It is estimated that an additional $300 million beyond the currently allocated $470 million is needed to fund all of the infrastructure improvements on both sides of the border.

On April 3, 2023, the Coronado City Council voted to create dedicated Council Subcommittee on Cross Border Water Pollution to continue to the City’s focus on legislative advocacy and aggressively pursuing solutions with regional partners. The City encourages the community to stay informed and sign up here for e-updates as more information becomes available on funding and the status of projects.


Related Documents

How to Support Collaborative Efforts to Improve Water Quality in South Bay

If you would like to get involved, reach out to the EPA Region 9 Office and your local U.S. Senator and Congressmember to voice your concerns. Encourage your representatives to continue to support additional funding for wastewater treatment facilities along the U.S./Mexico border and to support efforts to expedite the IBWC group of improvement projects that have already been funded and are underway. Together, we can ensure clean water for all who use South County’s bays and beaches.

  • South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant Launches Expansion

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    The United States Section of the International Boundary and Water Commission (USIBWC) celebrated the launch of the rehabilitation and expansion of the South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant (SBIWTP), a project that will double the facility's capacity. The work at the San Diego, Calif., plant is being funded jointly between the USIBWC and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency with the aim of drastically reducing transboundary sewage flows from Baja California, Mexico. The project’s early work to start this year includes setting up a bypass system for the primary facilities and performing in-depth structural assessments of the concrete structures. This will be followed with concrete repairs early in the new year. The project includes infrastructure rehabilitation and capacity expansion to double current treatment capacity of 25 million gallons per day (MGD) to reach 50 MGD average flow, with a peak hydraulic flow capacity of 75 MGD. The first phase, in the amount of $42.4 million, covers design for the full scope of the rehabilitation and expansion of SBIWTP. The USIBWC awarded the contract to PCL Construction of Long Beach, Calif. PCL selected Stantec Consulting Services, Inc., of San Diego, as the design firm. The full project cost, including design, construction, contingencies, project management, and other support services, is estimated at $600 million. Dr. Maria-Elena Giner, P.E., USIBWC Commissioner, celebrated the project's launch with other leaders from the U.S. and Mexico during a ceremony at the plant on Tuesday, October 29, 2024.


  • City Adopts Resolution on Cross Border Water Quality

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    The City of Coronado adopted a resolution asserting the need to resolve the cross-border water pollution crisis on September 3, 2024. This document indicates The City's commitment to the urgency of restoring environmental quality and open access to its coastal waters. Significant progress has been made in the past two years by the federal government and Mexico to allocate additional funding to solve the ongoing problem. However, more financial support is needed to properly fund all of the sewage infrastructure projects. The resolution will be shared with the City's regional partners and will be presented in advocacy efforts when meeting with federal officials to convey Coronado’s steadfast commitment to resolving the Crosse Border Water Pollution crisis.

  • Cross Border Water Quality Update, July 16, 2024 Quarterly Report

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    The City Council Ad Hoc Committee on Cross Border Water Quality will present the quarterly report at the June 16, 2024, City Council meeting and will provide direction, as appropriate, to staff regarding the City's Cross Border Water Quality advocacy efforts.

  • Request to Governor Re: State of Emergency and Intervention from the CDC for Pollution Crisis in Tijuana River

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    The 18 mayors of the cities in San Diego County, including City of Coronado Mayor Richard Bailey, have sent a letter to CA Governor Gavin Newsom to have the State once again request the Centers for Disease Control to intervene and assist in the health monitoring and assessment of the residents in the San Diego communities. In addition, the mayors requested a declaration of an emergency from the State of California for the pollution crisis in the Tijuana River, or at minimum request the Biden Administration declare one.

  • Letter of Support FY 2025 State, Foreign Operations, & Related Programs Appropriations Bill

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    The City, on behalf of Mayor Richard Bailey, sent a letter of support for CA Representative Peter’s funding request in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Bill on May 31, 2024 to:

    The Honorable Tom Cole

    Chairman

    U.S. House Committee on Appropriations

    The Honorable Rosa DeLauro

    Ranking Member

    U.S. House Committee on Appropriations

    The Honorable Mario Díaz-Balart, Chairman

    Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs

    The Honorable Barbara Lee, Ranking Member

    Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs


    The proposed $200 million construction fund allocation for the IBWC will help expedite the rehabilitation and expansion of the South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant (SBIWTP) if adopted.


    Letter of Support for Rep. Peter’s funding request in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Bill (May 31, 2024).

  • Cross Border Water Quality Update, May 7, 2024 Quarterly Report

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    The City Council Ad Hoc Committee on Cross Border Water Quality will present the quarterly report at the May 7, 2024, City Council meeting and will provide direction, as appropriate, to staff regarding the City's Cross Border Water Quality advocacy efforts.

    Regional Cross Border Infrastructure Map

  • $156 Million Additional Funding to Address Cross Border Water Pollution Projects Passes U.S. House of Representatives

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    On March 22, 2024, the U.S. House of Representatives passed an appropriations bill that will inject $200.85 million to the International Boundary and Water Commission’s budget, including $156 million for water quality construction projects. The new Fiscal Year 2024 appropriations bill was announced March 21 and swiftly came to a vote. Having passed the House of Representatives, the bill is expected to come to a vote in the Senate today. The IBWC is the federal agency tasked with operating and maintaining the South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant (SBIWTP), which is urgently in need of repair and expansion to mitigate the impacts that originate from cross-border pollution. This pollution critically impacts San Diego County’s south bay communities, including the City of Coronado.

    The funding is a $103 million increase from the previous fiscal year and will facilitate repair and expansion of the plant. The bill also includes a funds transfer authority to enable IBWC to receive funds from other federal and non-federal agencies, enabling them to find other funding streams to support the critically needed improvements to the SBIWTP.

    The Coronado City Council created an Ad Hoc Committee on Cross Border Water Quality on April 2, 2023. The Subcommittee members include Mayor Richard Bailey and Councilmember John Duncan. Along with Councilmember Carrie Downey, who is the City’s representative to the National League of Cities, the Councilmembers have advocated on behalf of Coronado for additional funding to effectively address infrastructure improvements needed in the U.S. and Mexico.

    “The City of Coronado has tirelessly advocated for a fix to the cross-border water crisis,” said Coronado Mayor Richard Bailey. “This federal funding is critical in addressing the Tijuana River sewage crisis. We recognize the diligent efforts of our State and local officials who all successfully fought for $220.85 million in funding for the IBWC. Thank you to our Coronado residents and our City councilmembers for their steadfast attention and support of our advocacy to this public health threat.”

    The City of Coronado appreciates the support and actions taken by Congressmember Scott Peters, in conjunction with the San Diego delegation in the House, and Senators Alex Padilla and Laphonza Butler, who all successfully pushed for $220.85 million in funding for the IBWC.

    Over the past several months, delegations of local officials from San Diego County including Mayor Richard Bailey, Councilmember Carrie Downey, Councilmember John Duncan and Imperial Beach Mayor Paloma Aguirre traveled to Washington D.C. to advocate for supplemental funds to address the pressing Tijuana River pollution crisis before Congress and the White House. The deteriorating wastewater infrastructure in Tijuana and at the IBWC’s International Wastewater Treatment Plant has led to intermittent closures in the ocean along Coronado’s coastline.

  • Governor Newsom Reiterates Strong Support for $310M inclusion in Supplemental Appropriations Bill or Final FY 2024 Budget

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    On January 29, 2024 Governor Newsom reiterated his strong support for inclusion of $310 million in the federal emergency supplemental appropriations bill or final FY 2024 budget appropriations package to address the Tijuana River sewage crisis. The funds are needed to repair long-neglected infrastructure at the South Bay International Wastewater Plant.


    >> Governor Newsom to Congress: Act Now on Tijuana River Crisis, January 29, 2024

  • San Diego Congressional Delegation Asking US Dept of Navy to Release Data

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    Members of San Diego’s congressional delegation are asking the U.S. Dept. of the Navy to release data that may reveal the true effects the Tijuana sewage crisis has had on Naval operations. On January 23, 2024, Representatives Juan Vargas, Scott Peters, Sara Jacobs, Darrell Issa and Mike Levin wrote a letter to Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro requesting statistics for 2022 and 2023. The letter to Secretary Del Toro can be found here.

  • Governor Newsom Sent Letter to Congress Affirming Critical Importance of Federal Funding

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    Jan 29, 2024 - Governor Newsom sent a letter to Congress affirming the critical importance of federal funding to solve the ongoing crisis in the Tijuana River Valley. The Governor reiterated that Congress must approve the $310 million that President Biden included in his emergency supplemental appropriations bill to address contamination in the cross-border river.


Page last updated: 27 Mar 2025, 09:03 AM