Tecate City Councilor María Quijada recently toured water infrastructure facilities in Oceanside, California, where she observed a recycled water system that now supplies nearly a third of the city’s total consumption.
During the visit, Quijada toured the La Salina Wastewater Treatment Plant and the Pure Water Oceanside facility, a cutting-edge project that treats wastewater to produce purified, drinkable water.
She also met with Mayor Esther Sánchez, who outlined the local strategies being implemented to bolster water security across the community.
Quijada emphasized the value of integrated approaches that combine diverse supply sources, advanced treatment processes, and aquifer conservation to ensure long-term service reliability. She noted that such initiatives offer a valuable blueprint for border municipalities facing mounting water challenges and the urgent need to promote responsible and efficient water use.
The visit was organized at the invitation of the Institute of the Americas and forms part of broader efforts to deepen regional collaboration on critical water access and management issues.
With water scarcity intensifying along the U.S.-Mexico border, Oceanside’s model stands out as a timely and replicable example for cities seeking sustainable solutions.
