EPA Says Mexico Owes $88M For Raw Sewage Spill In Tijuana

The Environmental Protection Agency reports Mexico still owes the United States $88 million toward the treatment of millions of gallons of raw sewage from Tijuana that continues to flow into San Diego, shutting down beaches and even forcing the relocation of Navy SEAL training.

“Beaches are closed ahead of the 4th of July — not because of weather, but because Mexico is dumping millions of gallons of raw sewage into our waters every day,” said San Diego County Supervisor Jim Desmond, who noted two San Diego beaches were closed for Independence Day, with another eight beaches under bacterial contamination advisory. “We shouldn’t tolerate toxic waste pouring across our border while families are forced to cancel beach plans and communities suffer.”

Billions of gallons of raw sewage from Mexico have flowed into San Diego over the years as Mexican sewage treatment capacity fails to keep up with Tijuana’s rapidly growing population.

While the EPA has sent an agreement to Mexico to address the ongoing sewage crisis, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin noted at a recent press conference that Mexico has not met its financial obligations agreed to with the Biden administration.

“Mexico still needs to obligate $88 million that remains of that agreement that was reached in July of 2022,” said Zeldin at a press conference. “There are a number of projects that are not yet completed.”