Trump presses Mexico to stop sewage flows
President Donald Trump on Wednesday demanded that Mexico address raw sewage flowing into the U.S. via the Tijuana River, citing risks to communities in Southern California and military readiness at Naval Amphibious Base Coronado. EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin said the U.S. is working with Mexico under a July 2025 MOU that funds wastewater projects, adding full implementation and Mexico‑side upgrades slated for 2026–2027 are critical.
📌 Key Facts
- Trump posted on Truth Social calling the cross-border sewage a 'true threat' that Mexico must fix 'immediately.'
- EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin said the administration is acting to halt sewage flows and emphasized full implementation of the July 2025 U.S.–Mexico MOU.
- The MOU allocates millions for wastewater projects and planning tied to Tijuana’s growth, with key Mexico-side projects targeted for 2026–2027.
- San Diego County Supervisor Jim Desmond called the crisis a major public health and environmental issue impacting beaches and Navy SEAL training.
- Sewage overflows are linked to Tijuana’s aging, overburdened wastewater infrastructure.
📊 Relevant Data
The metro area population of Tijuana increased from approximately 1,932,000 in 2015 to 2,333,000 in 2025, with an annual growth rate of about 1.57% in recent years.
Tijuana, Mexico Metro Area Population (1950-2025) — Macrotrends
The main causes of migration to Tijuana in recent years include family reasons (16,000 people), labor (9,620 people), and living place (6,180 people).
Tijuana: Economy, employment, equity, quality of life, education ... — Data Mexico
In the past five years, billions of gallons of untreated wastewater from Tijuana have flowed into the Tijuana River Valley in San Diego.
The Tijuana River Sewage Crisis — Assessment of Chemical Hazards, San Diego County, California, 2023 — Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
64.6% of survey participants in areas affected by the Tijuana River sewage crisis reported symptoms related to the pollution, with 47.8% of participants self-identifying as Hispanic/Latino.
The Tijuana River Sewage Crisis — Assessment of Chemical Hazards, San Diego County, California, 2023 — Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
The Tijuana River's flow rate of untreated sewage and wastewater into the US has ranged from 40-80 million gallons per day in recent years.
Tijuana River's Toxic Water Pollutes the Air — UC San Diego Today