San Diego, California – Authorities are warning San Diego’s South Bay residents to prepare for an increase in sewage odors and potential pollution as a major sewer repair project begins on the Mexican side of the U.S.-Mexico border. The work, scheduled to start Tuesday, May 13, marks the second and final phase of the International Collector sewer line connection in Mexico. Authorities expect the work to take about a week to complete.
The International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC), San Diego County’s Air Pollution Control District (APCD), and other local agencies have cautioned that the construction could temporarily increase the volume of untreated wastewater flowing into the U.S. That influx could worsen odors in communities near the Tijuana River Valley and raise pollution levels at South County beaches.
The sewer line under repair plays a vital role in moving untreated wastewater to two treatment facilities—the South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant in the U.S. and the San Antonio de los Buenos Plant in Mexico. Officials say completing the project is critical to preventing potentially catastrophic infrastructure failures and improving the reliability of Tijuana’s aging sewage system…