EPA Administrator Engages Mexico to Tackle Raw Sewage Crisis Impacting San Diego and Navy SEAL Training

Lee Zeldin, the Environmental Protection Agency’s Administrator, visited San Diego on Tuesday to address the critical issue of untreated sewage from Tijuana contaminating U.S. waters. This ongoing pollution has severely impacted the California coastline, including areas where Navy SEALs conduct their training activities.

During a press conference, Zeldin expressed the growing frustration of local residents regarding the sewage issue. He stated, “The Americans on our side of the border who have been dealing with this for decades, are out of patience. There’s no way that we are going to stand before the people of California and ask them to have more patience while we navigate years of being inundated with sewage.”

Zeldin emphasized the urgency of the situation, continuing that both American and Mexican sides are ready for a collaborative solution. He noted the new Mexican president’s commitment to resolve the sewage crisis, highlighting an intense desire for cooperation.

Following a productive 90-minute meeting with Mexican officials, Zeldin outlined the Mexican environmental secretary’s interest in creating a strong partnership to tackle the pollution issue. He stated, “I will be speaking with the chief of staff to the Mexican environmental secretary to ensure we communicate a specific commitment from both countries in the coming days regarding Mexico’s actions to assist in resolving this issue.”

Concrete Steps Towards Resolution

Zeldin detailed his focus on formulating actionable plans to address the sewage crisis. This includes drafting a comprehensive list of projects aimed at alleviating the pollution on both sides of the border. He praised the collaborative dialogue with Mexican counterparts, particularly regarding a crucial project designed to divert 10 million gallons of water per day from the Tijuana River Valley towards a dam, a move he feels would significantly reduce strain on the region.

Despite initial estimates suggesting the project would take until mid-2027 to complete, Zeldin reported optimism from Mexican officials who believe they could expedite the timeline by a year through joint efforts.

The Role of Infrastructure in Pollution Control

The ongoing sewage problem is largely due to the aging infrastructure on both sides of the border. Mexican authorities identified several completed projects aimed at addressing the issue, including updates to the San Antonio de los Buenos Wastewater Treatment Plant. However, multiple critical projects remain in progress, such as installing new international collector floodgates on the Tijuana River and rehabilitating pumping stations.

Zeldin highlighted the importance of not only addressing the current pollution but also preventing future discharges. He stated, “If we only focus on cleaning up existing contamination, that temporary relief will be short-lived. We need Mexico to follow through on its responsibilities in combating the pollution it has created.”

Local Leaders Weigh In

During the press conference, local leaders, including California Republican Rep. Darrell Issa and Democratic Rep. Mike Levin, rallied around the cause. Levin shared a personal account regarding the health risks associated with sewage exposure, revealing that a family member who trained as a Navy SEAL was diagnosed with cancer, potentially linked to contaminated waters.

“We don’t definitively know whether that cancer was caused by his service,” Levin explained. “However, many in the military community, including Border Patrol and local residents, are suffering from the toxic sewage pollution affecting our environment and health.”

Federal Support and National Security Concerns

After the press conference, Zeldin planned to meet with Navy SEALs to discuss the ongoing concerns regarding their training environment. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt praised Zeldin’s efforts, reaffirming President Donald Trump’s commitment to ensuring the highest standards for air and water quality across the nation.

Concerns around public health have intensified as a report from the Department of Defense inspector general revealed over 1,100 acute gastrointestinal illness cases among Navy SEAL candidates from January 2019 to May 2023. The report cited that candidates faced increased health risks due to their exposure to contaminated water during training.

The Comparison to Camp Lejeune

Veterans have voiced their concerns, likening the situation in San Diego to the infamous Camp Lejeune water crisis that devastated thousands due to long-term exposure to contaminated water. Navy SEAL veteran Jeff Gum shared his experience of illness during training and called the situation a national security crisis, stating, “This is a huge national crisis. Half the SEAL teams are in San Diego. It’s a major issue.”

Kate Monroe, CEO of VetComm, reiterated the parallels between the two crises. She estimated that, similar to Camp Lejeune, the sewer situation in San Diego could result in significant financial liabilities for the government, potentially reaching up to 25 billion dollars for compensations related to illnesses caused by contaminated water.

A Call to Action

Zeldin’s commitment to resolving the sewage crisis has been pronounced since his initial remarks in March. He outlined in a social media post the urgency of the issue, stating, “Mexico must honor its commitments to control this pollution and sewage. This is unacceptable.”

Local leaders, including Imperial Beach’s Mayor Paloma Aguirre, have highlighted the critical nature of this environmental disaster, asserting that since the beginning of 2023, over 31 billion gallons of sewage and polluted waters have flowed into U.S. coastal regions. They emphasize the dire need for the federal government to intervene effectively.

Aguirre called for the EPA to authorize a review of the Lower Tijuana River Valley’s sewage crisis for Superfund designation, stressing that this crisis threatens not just military personnel but local residents and businesses as well. Many homeowners are forced to monitor air quality in their neighborhoods while tourism and property values plummet due to the sewage disaster.

A Unified Front for Solutions

As discussions continue, the collaboration between U.S. and Mexican authorities becomes more critical than ever. Both sides must engage in meaningful dialogue and take decisive actions to eliminate the sewage flow from Tijuana into San Diego, ensuring a cleaner, safer environment for both communities.