During yesterday’s pounding rains, the South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant at the U.S.–Mexico border took on an extraordinary surge, handling more than 50 million gallons in a single day. Officials say the flow was loaded with stormwater, heavy sediment and trash, and that a Mexican pump station was briefly shut down to protect its equipment. The plant reports no structural damage, and binational agencies are now watching river runoff as the region dries out.
What officials reported
The U.S. Section of the International Boundary and Water Commission said in a post, shared by San Diego County HHSA, that Mexico’s PBCILA pumps were taken offline at 3:11 PM PDT on April 13 to safeguard the system. According to the commission, the South Bay plant “took on over 50 million gallons per day” at peak flow, with the incoming water laced with stormwater, heavy sediment and trash. The post added that “no damage is reported to the plant” and that USIBWC will keep coordinating with Mexican water authorities and…..