Senator Padilla secures $103 million to upgrade South Bay sewer plant

(UI) — U.S. Senator Alex Padilla has announced the allocation of over $103 million in additional funding for the U.S. International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC) as part of the bipartisan FY 2024 appropriations package.

This funding is earmarked for the repair and enhancement of the South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant, situated near the U.S.-Mexico border in San Diego, aimed at tackling transborder water pollution in the region.

Included in the package is a provision allowing federal agencies, as well as state and local governments, to contribute funds toward the rehabilitation and reconstruction of the IBWC plant.

Addressing the pressing issue, Senator Padilla emphasized the long-standing challenges posed by toxic waste and raw sewage flowing across the border, impacting local communities and posing risks to environmental and public health.

Senator Padilla, who has been a staunch advocate for addressing the Tijuana River pollution crisis, highlighted the importance of collaborative efforts and urgent action in combatting the pollution crisis affecting Southern California's air and water quality.

Having chaired the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Subcommittee on Fisheries, Water, and Wildlife, Padilla recently urged the Army Corps of Engineers to prioritize addressing the Tijuana River pollution crisis during a hearing on the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2024.

This recent funding allocation follows previous efforts by Senator Padilla and the late Senator Dianne Feinstein, who advocated for emergency funding in response to Tropical Storm Hilary. The Senators successfully secured language in the FY 2023 appropriations package aimed at expediting the delivery of $300 million from the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement to the International Boundary and Water Commission for water infrastructure projects.

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