Federal agencies report progress on Tijuana River cleanup, cite increased wastewater treatment

Federal agencies released their first quarterly progress report Friday on efforts to permanently resolve the decades-old Tijuana River sewage crisis, detailing accelerated construction timelines and increased treatment capacity while acknowledging ongoing challenges.

The Nov. 21 update from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. International Boundary and Water Commission (USIBWC) marks the first public progress report required under a memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed in July between the U.S. and Mexico.

Among a slate of infrastructure improvements and policy priorities listed in the MOU, top of mind for many residents, advocates and officials was expanding treatment capacity for the South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant, which the EPA reported is now at 35 million gallons per day capacity — up from 25 million gallons.

By December 2027, the MOU states, the facility will clean up to 50 million gallons of dirty water per day.

The treatment capacity increase is being implemented gradually over months rather than all at once because the infrastructure is not yet in place to handle drastic increases in capacity, according to Courtney Baltiyskyy, vice president of policy and advocacy for the YMCA of San Diego County, which helps facilitate the Tijuana River Coalition advocacy group.

“It’s not necessarily a flip of a switch in how those systems can come online,” Baltiyskyy said. “It is going to be gradual over months.”

In an Oct. 30 announcement, the EPA reported cutting an additional nine months from construction timelines for infrastructure projects following a 100-day binational review. The review found six months could be eliminated from the Tijuana River Gates project to replace more than 23,000 feet of deteriorating wastewater pipes, and three months from the rehabilitation of a critical pump station.

Combined with previous reductions since the July MOU, approximately 12 years of construction time has been eliminated across all U.S. and Mexico-side projects, according to the EPA.

When asked about the feasibility of these compressed timelines, Baltiyskyy said, “at this point with the increased attention that we’ve seen, I’d like to say it’s a little of both,” referring to both genuine progress and public relations considerations.

The update detailed Mexico’s progress, including initiating construction of the first phase of the Tijuana River Gates collection pipes project with state and federal funds. Mexico is expected to allocate $93 million across 2026-2027 budgets.

Frank Fisher, communications director for the USIBWC, said Mexico is making positive progress but emphasized continued transparency.

“We’re not going to let our guard down because the American people expect us to keep a close eye on Mexico, and that’s what we’re going to do,” Fisher said. “But so far things look good.”

Baltiyskyy, who participated in a San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce trip to Mexico City where the Tijuana River Valley was discussed, said she observed cooperation between the U.S. and Mexico.

“I think that there is an authentic commitment from both governments, which is great,” she said.