Reps. Vargas, Peters, Senators Padilla, Schiff Lead Colleagues in Reintroducing Border Water Quality Restoration and Protection Act

July 10, 2025
Press Release

WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Representative Juan Vargas (D-CA-52)  and Scott Peters (D-CA-50) and U.S. Senators Alex Padilla (D-CA) and Adam Schiff (D-CA) reintroduced the Border Water Quality Restoration and Protection Act, bicameral legislation to help combat cross-border pollution in the Tijuana River. U.S. Representatives Sara Jacobs (D-CA-51), Mike Levin (D-CA-49), and Raul Ruiz (D-CA-25) are cosponsors in the House of Representatives.

The Border Water Quality Restoration and Protection Act of 2025 would designate the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as the lead agency to coordinate all federal, state, Tribal, and local agencies to build and maintain critical infrastructure projects to address long-standing, systemic water infrastructure and pollution issues in the Tijuana River and New River watersheds. The bill would also create a new Geographic Program within EPA to manage the watershed through a comprehensive water quality management plan. These provisions and other key components of the bill follow the findings and recommendations of the Government Accountability Office's February 2020 Report, "International Boundary and Water Commission: Opportunities Exist to Address Water Quality Problems." The bill also directs EPA to consider projects based on new research examining how wastewater pollutants get into the air, harming air quality and public health.

“This horrible pollution has harmed the health of our communities, our local businesses, and our environment,” said Rep. Juan Vargas. “It’s absolutely critical that we have a streamlined response from the federal government. But right now, there is no one agency in charge of addressing the pollution. There are too many cooks in the kitchen. Our legislation would finally change that, and charge the EPA with coordinating the whole-of-government effort needed to combat this pollution.”

"This is an environmental crisis, a public health crisis, and an economic crisis for San Diegans. The federal government should treat it as such," said Rep. Scott Peters. "This legislation institutes a whole-of-government approach for resolving this crisis. This is the same type of program you see in the San Francisco Bay, Chesapeake Bay, and Great Lakes; San Diego is no less deserving."

“Raw sewage and toxic waste from the Tijuana River are still shutting down public beaches, threatening the health of our families, and jeopardizing the readiness of our military and border personnel,” said Senator Alex Padilla. “By assigning the Environmental Protection Agency with the clear role of coordinating with federal, state, local, and tribal leaders to maintain the health of the watershed, we’re bringing the full weight and commitment of the federal government to address the Tijuana River pollution crisis.”

“The Tijuana River pollution crisis is one of the worst ongoing ecological crises in this country, posing serious environmental and public health risks to Californians living and working near the U.S.-Mexico border and nearby beaches. We must work quickly on a resolution, and this bill would provide clear direction and authority to EPA to work with state and local partners on a plan to give this crisis the focused attention it demands,” said Senator Adam Schiff.

"Despite access to more than half a billion dollars in funding, administrations from both parties have dragged their feet on committing to lasting solutions,” said Rep. Mike Levin. “It’s time to get shovels in the ground and finish the projects to increase sewage treatment capacity. This bill will help that effort by coordinating agencies at all levels to ensure we fix the problem, once and for all."

“The Border Water Quality Restoration Act is a critical first step to stop the flow of toxic pollution into our underserved communities,” said Rep. Dr. Raul Ruiz. “This updated bill specifically identifies the Imperial Valley as a key stakeholder, ensuring that local organizations are meaningfully consulted and that findings reflect the latest research on aerosolized contaminants. The New River, one of the most polluted rivers in the United States, poses a serious threat to public health. Cleaning it up will protect families, enhance quality of life in the Imperial Valley, and advance long-overdue environmental justice. These federal resources will help us secure cleaner water and a healthier environment for our communities.”

This legislation is endorsed by the City of San Diego, City of Coronado, County of Imperial, Imperial Beach Mayor Paloma Aguirre, Rural Community Assistance Corporation, SANDAG, San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, and Surfrider.

The Border Water Quality Restoration and Protection would:

  • Direct EPA, in coordination with relevant federal, state, Tribal, and local governments, to implement a comprehensive water quality management program for the Tijuana River and New River watersheds within 180 days;
  • Require EPA and its partners to identify a consensus list of priority projects, including incorporating a comprehensive suite of projects identified by EPA and IBWC in the 2022 United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement implementation plan, as well as the construction and operations and maintenance costs associated with them;
  • Provide transfer authority to EPA to accept and distribute funds to federal, state, Tribal, and local partners to construct, operate, and maintain the identified priority projects;
  • Provide technical assistance for restoration and protection activities to federal, state, Tribal, and local stakeholders;
  • Codify the U.S.-Mexico Border Water Infrastructure Program (BWIP) to fund water infrastructure projects that benefit U.S. communities;
  • Require the IBWC Commissioner to participate in the construction of projects identified in the Tijuana and New River comprehensive plans; and
  • Authorize the IBWC to address stormwater quality and accept funding made available by the bill.

EPA currently administers 12 Geographic Programs that help protect local ecosystems through water quality improvement, ecosystem and habitat restoration, environmental education, and local capacity building. Establishing such a program for the Tijuana River and New River is important for the long-term improvement and monitoring of the watersheds during and after the expansion of the South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant.

Rep. Vargas has been fighting to address Tijuana River Valley pollution for years.

The San Diego Congressional delegation and California Senators have secured over $650 million in federal funding – more than half a billion dollars – to combat the pollution and make critical upgrades to the South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant.

In response to a request from the San Diego Congressional delegation and California Senators, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) opened a study into the contaminants in the water, soil, and air as a result of cross-border pollution and the potential connection to reported increases in illnesses and other symptoms. 

The San Diego Congressional delegation called on the EPA to provide support to the San Diego County Air Pollution Control District (APCD) as they work to monitor the air quality in communities impacted by Tijuana River Valley pollution.

Additionally, the San Diego Congressional delegation has called for a federal state of emergency due to the pollution. 

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