September 23, 2024

The Chamber co-hosted a U.S.-Mexico Border Water Roundtable with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce where attendees heard from Congressman Scott Peters on Congressional efforts to advance regional infrastructure projects and policy. International Boundary and Water Commissioners Maria Elena Giner (United States) and Adriana Resendez (Mexico) shared insight on collaborative efforts to advance Minute 328 projects and next steps to mitigate pollution and ensure sustainable access to water. It is estimated that $600 million are needed for the construction and improvements of the South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant in San Ysidro, $400 million of which have been secured and allow for the construction phase to break ground in October. Additional funding is needed for the operation and maintenance. While this is scheduled to be a five-year project, Commissioner Giner is holding conversations with the contractors to potentially shorten this timeline. At this roundtable, the North American Development Bank (NADBank), California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA) Region 9, and Apache Corporation were also present to discuss opportunities, needs, and resources for water and wastewater reuse projects.  

After this successful meeting, our San Diego Congressional Delegation continues efforts to mitigate the pollution crisis impacting our community, including re-introducing the Border Water Quality Restoration and Protection Act of 2024. U.S. Senator Alex Padilla and Congressmembers Juan Vargas and Scott Peters held a press conference this month to announce this effort to designate the Environmental Protection Agency as the leading agency to coordinate all federal, state, Tribal, and local agencies to build and maintain critical infrastructure projects to address the pollution in the Tijuana River and New River located in Calexico. The bill would also codify the U.S.-Mexico Border Water Infrastructure Program to fund water infrastructure projects and require the IBWC Commissioner to participate in the construction of projects identified in the Tijuana and New River comprehensive plans.