The San Diego County Board of Supervisors today unanimously approved Chair Terra Lawson-Remer’s proposal to work with elected leaders throughout the region to convene a Tijuana River Pollution Special Meeting in Spring 2025, in a decisive step to intensify efforts to resolve the decades-long sewage and pollution crisis that has plagued San Diego communities. The special session aims to bring together federal, state, and local agencies, alongside binational stakeholders, to assess progress, identify gaps, and strengthen collaboration.

“For far too long, the Tijuana River Valley has endured unchecked pollution, jeopardizing our air, water, and beaches,” said Chair Terra Lawson-Remer. “This crisis impacts all of San Diego County, threatening public health, our environment, and our quality of life. This special meeting will bring policymakers, agencies, and residents together to drive accountability, highlight progress, and work collaboratively to deliver lasting solutions.”

Plan Details: Special Meeting to Focus on Progress, Accountability, and Solutions

The Spring 2025 meeting will serve as a platform to:

• Highlight Progress: Agencies will share updates on key milestones, such as the $650 million expansion of the South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant and other critical infrastructure upgrades.

• Increase Accountability: The meeting will enhance public oversight, ensuring transparency around agency actions and ongoing efforts.

• Identify Gaps and Drive Solutions: Stakeholders will evaluate remaining challenges and explore opportunities for further investment and collaborative action.

• Foster Binational Collaboration: Mexican agencies and stakeholders will provide updates on upstream wastewater repairs, including progress on the San Antonio de los Buenos Wastewater Treatment Plant.

Meeting Structure and Panels

The meeting will feature expert panels addressing key areas of the crisis:

1. U.S. Sewage and Water Infrastructure: Updates on the South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant expansion, flood control measures, and sediment capture.

2. Mexican Sewage and Water Infrastructure: Progress on upstream wastewater repairs and stormwater management south of the border.

3. Immediate Health and Environmental Impacts: Strategies to mitigate air and water quality risks in affected communities.

4. Long-Term Environmental Remediation: Plans for pollution cleanup, hazardous substance removal, and habitat restoration.

The County of San Diego has taken bold steps to address the crisis, including declaring a state of emergency, distributing air purifiers to impacted residents, and supporting efforts to secure historic federal funding for infrastructure upgrades. The Spring 2025 meeting represents the next phase in these efforts, bringing all stakeholders to the table to coordinate resources, assess progress, and push for innovative solutions.

“This meeting is about transparency, collaboration, and results,” Lawson-Remer added. “It’s time to bridge the gaps, build partnerships, and deliver the clean water, clean air, and accountability that our communities deserve.”