California Senators, San Diego Congressional Delegation Applaud Contract Award for South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrades

August 21, 2024

California Senators, San Diego Congressional Delegation Applaud Contract Award for South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrades

SAN DIEGO - Today, U.S. Senators Alex Padilla (D-CA) and Laphonza Butler (D-CA) and U.S. Representatives Juan Vargas (CA-52), Mike Levin (CA-49), Scott Peters (CA-50), and Sara Jacobs (CA-51) applauded the International Boundary and Water Commission's (IBWC) announcement that it has awarded the contract for a project to expand the South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant. Over the course of the project, the IBWC will use the more than $400 million in federal funding secured by the Congressional delegation to repair and expand the plant.

"Today's announcement for the South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant is a step in the right direction in beginning to seriously address toxic waste and raw sewage flowing from the Tijuana River," said U.S. Senator Alex Padilla. "The health and environmental hazards created by this pollution has contaminated Southern California's air and water for too long, and I'm committed to fighting for more federal resources to address this crisis with the urgency it demands."

"It's promising to see that plans to expand the South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant are finally moving forward," said U.S. Senator Laphonza Butler. "For too long, toxic sewage pollution hurt the health, economy, and environment of the South Bay. I applaud the International Boundary and Water Commission, my fellow San Diego Congressional delegation members, and the many regional partners whose tireless advocacy helped secure the funding needed for this critical project to move forward."

"Our communities can't wait. I'm glad to see the IBWC take this important step, which will allow them to put the more than $400 million my colleagues and I secured for the South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant to work for repairs and upgrades," said Rep. Juan Vargas. "This project will help double the plant's capacity, prevent up to 90% of untreated wastewater from reaching the coast, and provide cleaner and safer water. I'll keep fighting alongside the San Diego Congressional delegation to secure the resources needed to combat pollution in the Tijuana River Valley, make sure Mexico does its part, and ensure our water, land, and air is safe for all."

"This is an important win for our local communities, economies, and ecosystems," said Rep. Mike Levin. "This contract will repair and expand the South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant. As a result, we will significantly reduce the cross-border pollution flowing into our waters and ensure a cleaner, safer ocean for our communities. I'm proud of the work of our San Diego Delegation and pleased to partner with state, local and federal government agencies. Together, we will clean up this toxic pollution. I look forward to continuing to work towards the additional resources these projects will need to solve the cross-border pollution crisis."

"After years of investment and attention to planning and permitting, today's announcement marks a welcome new design and construction phase in the fight to end the beach closures, polluted ocean water, and rancid smell of sewage that residents of the South Bay and Coronado, our Navy SEALS, and border patrol agents have had to put up with," said Rep. Scott Peters. "It's incredibly gratifying to know that funding from the $400 million secured by members of San Diego's Congressional Delegation is finally being put towards long-needed wastewater treatment plant repairs and upgrades. I will work with my colleagues to secure the remaining funding needed and ensure that this project adheres to the timeline and, if possible, gets completed sooner."

Rep. Sara Jacobs said: "This announcement has been a long time coming - and I'm so excited to see the $400 million that our congressional delegation secured result in big, meaningful progress to end the Tijuana River Valley crisis. Our work isn't over yet, and we will continue to review the progress of the IBWC construction, collaborate with our Mexican counterparts, and work together to ensure that communities on both sides of the border can live safely."

In March, the San Diego Congressional delegation secured over $156 million in funding that can be used for critical repairs to the South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant.

In 2019, the San Diego Congressional delegation secured $300 million to expand the South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant from 25 million gallons per day to 50 million gallons per day. In 2022, the San Diego Congressional delegation successfully passed legislation to clear the path for the IBWC to use the funds to address harmful pollutants in the Tijuana River Valley.

In May 2024, the Congressional delegation called on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to look into the contaminants in the water, soil, and air in our communities and the potential connection to reported increases in illnesses and other symptoms. Thanks to their request, the CDC has agreed to begin an investigation into the public health impacts of the Tijuana River sewage pollution.

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