Lee Zeldin to confront environmental crisis from sewage dumping into US

In recent weeks, Lee Zeldin, the head of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), announced plans to visit the California-Mexico border to evaluate the ongoing issue of sewage contamination. This crisis stems from decades of sewage dumping from Tijuana, Mexico, into the Tijuana River which flows into the United States, impacting health and safety. Officials, including San Diego County Supervisor Jim Desmond, have raised concerns over this environmental threat citing that overflow and maintenance issues with the Mexican sewer system lead to toxic waste spilling over into U.S. waters. In January of this year, malfunction at the Hollister Wastewater Pump Station compounded the issue by contributing around 30,000 gallons of raw sewage into the river, worsening the already critical situation and forcing beach closures in San Diego County. The sewage flow not only poses health risks directly but also affects local tourism and recreational activities. Families living along the border have had to deal with the noxious odors and potential health hazards, some suffering from illnesses linked to this contamination. Zeldin’s impending visit is viewed as a call to address these severe environmental issues, which have largely gone ignored by authorities. The continuous negligence from the Mexican government regarding their sewage infrastructure has prompted calls for accountability from U.S. officials. Desmond emphasizes that any maintenance should prioritize redirecting sewage to treatment facilities rather than dumping into the Tijuana River. As Zeldin prepares to visit, there is hope that his involvement will spur action to seek solutions and bring attention to a crisis that has lingered for many years, affecting communities on both sides of the border. Given the persistent nature of this problem, reducing pollution from across the border will require stronger collaboration and accountability from the Mexican authorities.