Rep. Juan Vargas, San Diego Congressional Delegation Announce $250 Million Secured to Combat Cross-Border Sewage Pollution

Rep. Juan Vargas, San Diego Congressional Delegation Announce $250 Million Secured to Combat Cross-Border Sewage Pollution

Federal investment will cover expected cost of the South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant expansion project, brings total federal funding secured to over $650 million

IMPERIAL BEACH - Today, U.S. Representatives Juan Vargas (CA-52), Scott Peters (CA-50), Mike Levin (CA-49), and Sara Jacobs (CA-51) came together to announce $250 million in new federal funding to combat pollution in the Tijuana River Valley.

This federal investment marks the final tranche of funding needed to cover the expected cost of the South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant upgrade project. The project broke ground in October 2024 and will double the capacity of the wastewater treatment plant to 50 million gallons per day (MGD) with surge protection to 75 MGD. Together, the San Diego Congressional delegation has secured over $650 million - well over half a billion dollars - in federal investments to complete these upgrades and help clean up the Tijuana River.

"I'm glad that our Congressional delegation was able to band together and bring home this critical funding for the South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant. Together, we've secured over half a billion dollars to expand the plant and combat pollution in the Tijuana River Valley," said Rep. Juan Vargas. "Thank you to everyone who has joined us in raising their voice about this issue. It's made a world of difference. There's more work to do. But this is a big step forward."

The San Diego Congressional delegation has been focused on combating pollution in the Tijuana River Valley for years.

Earlier this month, the delegation announced that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will investigate the public health impacts of air pollution caused by the ongoing Tijuana River transboundary pollution crisis, following the lawmakers' request last year. Thanks to their request, the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) will conduct a public health assessment of hydrogen sulfide in the air around the Tijuana River and the surrounding communities.

In October 2024, the San Diego Congressional delegation called on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to provide support to the San Diego County Air Pollution Control District as they work to monitor the air quality in communities impacted by Tijuana River Valley pollution.

The San Diego Congressional delegation also urged the U.S. Small Business Administration to investigate how it can provide assistance to businesses impacted by pollution in the Tijuana River Valley.

Last year, the San Diego Congressional delegation reiterated their call to the President to declare a federal state of emergency to help address the pollution.

###