A long-running binational effort to improve wastewater infrastructure in the Tijuana-San Diego region has reached a new milestone, with authorities reporting significant progress on projects designed to reduce cross-border sewage pollution and improve water treatment.
According to Baja California’s Secretariat for Water Management, Sanitation and Protection (SEPROA), the initiative represents a joint investment of more than 15.6 billion pesos (around $900,000) by Mexico and the United States.
Three-quarters of the projects are underway
SEPROA Secretary Víctor Daniel Amador Barragán said authorities are overseeing 20 infrastructure projects grouped under 16 initiatives established through Minute 328, a binational agreement focused on modernizing wastewater infrastructure in the Tijuana River watershed.
The projects include upgrades to sewer collectors, interceptors, pumping stations and wastewater treatment plants aimed at reducing transboundary sewage flows.
Officials said six projects have already been completed, including the modernization of the San Antonio de los Buenos Wastewater Treatment Plant, the East Collector, the first phase of the International Collector, the CILA and Laureles 1 pumping stations, and the Parallel Gravity Line.
An additional nine projects are currently under construction, with eight expected to be completed by the end of 2026, bringing overall progress to roughly 75% of the work outlined under Minute 328.
New agreement expands the effort
State officials said the progress achieved under Minute 328 helped pave the way for Minute 333, a new binational agreement that expands long-term wastewater and environmental infrastructure projects across the Tijuana-San Diego region.
Amador credited the federal government, including Mexico’s Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT), the National Water Commission (CONAGUA) and the Ministry of National Defense (SEDENA), for supporting the initiative through funding, coordination and project oversight.
He also recognized the work of Tijuana’s Public Utilities Commission (CESPT), which has overseen construction of the state-led projects.
More projects planned through 2028
The remaining five projects are currently in the design and budgeting stages and are expected to begin construction during 2027 and 2028.
Authorities noted that the International Wastewater Treatment Plant, one of the remaining projects, falls under the responsibilities assumed by the United States government as part of the binational agreement.
