By Charles Switzer
2:49am PDT, Apr 23, 2025
Zeldin Addresses Cross-Border Sewage Flow from Mexico
On Monday, April 21, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator
Lee Zeldin embarked on a mission to tackle the ongoing issue of Mexican sewage flowing into the United States from Tijuana, the
New York Post reported.
This sewage problem has reportedly plagued the region for decades and has led to concerns about public health and environmental damage.
Zeldin's initiative marks a new focus for the
Trump administration on the environmental challenges at the border, particularly as illegal crossings have reached record lows.
Here's everything to know.
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Zeldin's Mission to End Sewage Flow Across the Border
Before flying to San Diego, Lee Zeldin spoke to reporters, emphasizing the importance of addressing the long-standing issue of sewage contamination.
"EPA is going to be on the border with Mexico. … There, for decades, has been raw sewage that's been traveling across the border, and Americans are very concerned with regards to beach closures, degradation of the Tijuana River Valley and concerns of public health, air quality," he said, highlighting the adverse effects on American communities.
He added that the situation has been allowed to persist for far too long and stressing the urgency of implementing a solution: "It's been going on for too long, and we have to urgently and deliberately pursue and implement a solution that permanently ends this, and that is an important focus of ours," he said.
Zeldin's Visit and Plans to Meet with Mexican Officials
Lee Zeldin's trip includes meetings with local stakeholders, including Mexican Environmental Secretary
Alicia Bárcena.
He plans to address the impact of the sewage flow on local military operations, specifically
Navy SEALs whose training has been hindered by the contamination.
"We'll be visiting with Navy SEALs. Their training has been impacted. Navy SEALs have gotten sick," Zeldin said.
Additionally, he will visit a local wastewater treatment facility, participate in a roundtable discussion with local officials and take a helicopter tour of the southern border.
Zeldin stressed the significance of his visit, saying, "This needs to end, and there's nowhere more important for me to be tomorrow than on the border in California dealing with this very important public health and environmental crisis."
Challenges in Addressing the Sewage Problem
The flow of sewage from Tijuana into the United States is largely due to inadequate infrastructure south of the border.
The problem is not only a public health concern but also a costly and complex issue to resolve. Fixing the infrastructure reportedly requires significant investment and long-term planning.
Lee Zeldin's efforts to tackle this issue will require cooperation from both U.S. and Mexican authorities, as well as addressing the underlying infrastructure shortcomings that have contributed to the crisis.
Similar Issues in D.C.'s Sewer System
Lee Zeldin's statement also drew a parallel to problems in Washington, D.C., where the city's sewer system has historically overflowed into local waterways during heavy rainfall.
A $3 billion tunnel project aimed at alleviating this problem has significantly reduced overflows in the area.
This comparison illustrates the scale and difficulty of addressing sewage infrastructure challenges, highlighting that while solutions are possible, they require substantial financial commitment and long-term planning.
