EPA chief demands Mexico halt sewage crisis impacting California waters

On April 22, 2025, in the United States, Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin traveled to San Diego to address the severe issue of sewage contamination stemming from Tijuana, Mexico. The pollution has not only affected the beaches but has also posed health risks to Navy SEALs who conduct training in the contaminated waters. Zeldin expressed the urgency of this situation, stating that American citizens have reached their limit of patience with the ongoing environmental crisis. Amid rising tensions, both American officials and Mexican authorities have engaged in discussions to formulate a plan to resolve the sewage problem. Zeldin’s visit coincided with a broader effort to tackle the decades-long environmental crisis resulting from Mexico’s aging wastewater treatment infrastructure, which has been unable to handle the burgeoning population and industrial waste. Over the years, billions of gallons of raw sewage and industrial runoff have flowed into U.S. waters, harming the marine environment and leading to increased beach closures in Southern California. At the press conference, Zeldin was joined by local officials, including representatives from the affected communities, who voiced their concerns over the health implications and damage to hospitality-driven economies linked to tourism. Local leaders have described the situation as one of the most horrendous environmental disasters in America, urging for immediate action to rectify the ongoing sewage spill into the Pacific Ocean. They conveyed a sense of urgency, considering the economic and health ramifications of prolonged exposure to contaminated waters. Zeldin stated that the EPA plans to present Mexico with a comprehensive list of projects necessary to mitigate this crisis and emphasized that merely cleaning up existing pollution would not suffice. He underscored the need for Mexico to be accountable in addressing the situation not just for their side of the border, but for the sake of California’s environment and public health. The discussions raised hopes for a collaborative effort, with officials from both countries expressing an intent to improve their relationship for future environmental cooperation.