The International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC) has receives order worth over 400 million US dollars to expand the South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plantbased in San Diego, California. This project will use federal funds secured by the congressional delegation to improve and repair the power plant.

“Today’s announcement for the South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant is a step in the right direction to seriously address toxic waste and raw sewage from the Tijuana River,” said Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), emphasizing the ongoing health and environmental risks from pollution that has affected Southern California’s air and water for too long and expressing his commitment to securing additional federal funding to address the crisis with the urgency it needs.

In March, San Diego’s congressional delegation received over $156 million for critical repairs to the plant. Additionally, in 2019, the delegation secured $300 million to expand the plant’s capacity from 25 million gallons per day to 50 million gallons per day. Legislation was passed through 2022 allowing the IBWC to use these funds to combat harmful pollutants in the Tijuana River Valley.

“Our communities can’t wait. I’m pleased that the IBWC is taking this important step that will allow them to use the more than $400 million my colleagues and I secured for the South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant for repairs and upgrades,” said Rep. Juan Vargas, Democrat of San Diego. He emphasized that this project will help double the plant’s capacity, stop up to 90% of untreated wastewater from reaching the coast, and provide cleaner, safer water.

In May 2024, officials asked the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to Investigation of pollutants in water, soil and air that originate from wastewaterand their association with reported increases in illness and other symptoms. The CDC has agreed to launch an investigation into the public health impacts of pollution in the Tijuana River.

“This announcement has been a long time coming – and I am so pleased that the $400 million our congressional delegation secured is leading to major, meaningful progress toward ending the crisis in the Tijuana River Valley,” said Democratic Rep. Sara Jacobs of San Diego. She reiterated that while significant progress has been made, more work will be needed to oversee the construction of the IBWC, work with Mexican partners and ensure communities on both sides of the border can live safely.