Reps. Vargas, Peters, Jacobs Mark Launch of South Bay Plant Rehabilitation and Expansion Project
SAN DIEGO - Today, U.S. Representatives Juan Vargas (CA-52), Scott Peters (CA-50), and Sara Jacobs (CA-51) joined International Boundary and Water Commission officials, local leaders, and community members to mark the launch of a rehabilitation and expansion project at the South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant.
This project will put to use $400 million in federal funding that the San Diego Congressional delegation secured to double the facility's capacity and – when paired with action from Mexico – prevent up to 90% of untreated wastewater from reaching the coast.
“From awful sewage smells to closed beaches, toxic sewage pollution has hurt our communities for too long. These upgrades to the South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant are a critical step forward in the fight to combat this pollution,” said Rep. Juan Vargas. “I’m glad that our San Diego Congressional delegation was able to secure $400 million in federal funding for this project, and I’m grateful to everyone who has worked hard to help us reach this moment. We’ll continue to work to address the sewage pollution in the Tijuana River Valley using all available avenues and ensure our air, water, and land is safe for all.”
“For years I’ve called the cross-border sewage crisis one of the biggest environmental catastrophes in the Western Hemisphere, but it threatens more than nature, it threatens public health. Today, we are in the best place we’ve been in decades to fix this horrible problem. We’ve secured hundreds of millions of dollars to rehab and expand this treatment plant, and the highest levels of government in the U.S. and Mexico are more aware than they’ve ever been about how dire and harmful the problem is. Thank you to all who’ve worked hard to make this happen. We must continue to hold ourselves and Mexico accountable to our commitments to finish this important work; people are counting on us,” said Rep. Scott Peters.
“The Tijuana River Valley has flowed with sewage and pollution longer than I’ve been alive, but I’m so glad we’re making bigger and faster progress than ever before,” said Rep. Sara Jacobs. “Once this project is completed, the capacity of the South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant will double, helping to improve our health and safety and keep our businesses and beaches open. Our San Diego Congressional delegation will keep pushing to bring home more federal funds, assistance, and oversight to see this project through.”
“I’m both pleased and relieved to see progress on the South Bay International Wastewater Treatment’s rehabilitation and expansion. I’ve been working on this issue with my colleagues for years, and the pace of progress has been frustrating while the Tijuana River Valley has carried dangerously high levels of pollutants into our region. This announcement couldn’t come soon enough. It is critical that we prioritize addressing this environmental crisis for the people of San Diego and get this work done as soon as possible. I’m glad that the EPA and the USIBWC take their commitment seriously and I’m grateful for their partnership in ensuring pollution-free water throughout San Diego County,” said Rep. Mike Levin.
The San Diego Congressional delegation has been focused on combating pollution in the Tijuana River Valley for years.
Last week, the San Diego Congressional delegation urged the U.S. Small Business Administration to investigate how it can provide assistance to businesses impacted by pollution in the Tijuana River Valley.
Earlier this month, 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.
In May, 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 begun an investigation into the public health impacts of the Tijuana River Valley sewage pollution.
Earlier this year, the San Diego Congressional delegation reiterated their call to the President to declare a federal state of emergency to help address the pollution.
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