Trump Administration Announces Another Historic Milestone Toward Implementing 100% Solution to the Tijuana River Sewage Crisis

December 15, 2025

WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is announcing the signing of a historic new agreement between the United States and Mexico, called Minute 333, marking additional significant progress to permanently and urgently end the decades-long Tijuana River sewage crisis. The U.S. and Mexican Sections of the International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC) agreed to a list of new actions, including infrastructure projects, research, enhanced monitoring, and planning for operation and maintenance of critical sites and systems that will account for future population growth in Tijuana, a key component that was missing from previous agreements made prior to the Trump Administration.

The Tijuana River Sewage Crisis is a decades-long issue where untreated raw sewage has flowed into Southern California from Mexico. This has resulted in years-long beach closures, foul odors, degradation of the Tijuana River Valley, and lost economic opportunity, while also sickening people on both sides of the border. This crisis has also impacted our Navy SEALs who train in the area.

Moving at Trump Speed, Minute 333 was negotiated and signed in record time. While in the past, Minutes have at times taken years to be agreed upon, the Trump Administration got this done in under five months, beating the December 31st deadline set in the July Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed by EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin and Secretary of the Environment and National Resources of Mexico Alicia Bárcena Ibarra in Mexico City. Minute 333 is a direct result of that MOU. 

Everything the U.S. identified in Section 4 of the MOU as being a part of the 100% solution to this sewage crisis has been codified in this new Minute. Section 4 of the MOU was specifically designed to account for future population growth in Tijuana and the broader region. Notably, Minute 333 does not obligate any additional U.S. taxpayer funding, including for Mexican-side projects.

“Great progress has been made this year to achieve the 100% solution to the Tijuana River sewage crisis, but it would have all been for nothing if we don’t take the appropriate steps to account for the inevitable population growth of Tijuana and surrounding areas. That’s what Minute 333 achieves. We have set the framework for tremendous steps to be made, and we now look forward to very quickly hitting the ground running to implement the mutually agreed upon actions. I saw the frustration of San Diego area residents firsthand when I visited in April. I promised them a 100% solution to this issue, and the Trump EPA is doing its part to deliver,” said EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin.

“As a former U.S. Ambassador to Mexico, I know firsthand how the Tijuana River crisis has remained unresolved for decades, and what terrible effects it’s had on our downstream coastal communities in California.  It’s a real tribute to President Trump, Secretary Rubio, and Administrator Zeldin that we’re finally delivering tangible results that are long overdue.  Past Administrations just talked about problems; the Trump Administration solves them,” said Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau. 

“Today’s signing of Minute 333 marks a historic step forward in our shared commitment to protect the health and environment of communities on both sides of the border. Through close partnership and sustained effort, the United States and Mexico are delivering real solutions to a decades-old challenge. This agreement demonstrates what we can achieve when we work together with urgency, transparency, and mutual respect. I am proud to stand with our Mexican partners as we move toward a cleaner, safer, and more prosperous future for the Tijuana-San Diego region,” said U.S. Ambassador to Mexico Ron Johnson.

“Under the leadership of President Trump and working closely with EPA, the USIBWC has been focused on a 100%, permanent solution to finally end the exposure of Americans to Mexican sewage in Southern California. This new Minute, along with the significant improvements we have made at our San Diego plant and Mexico’s commitment to finish their projects ahead of schedule, will improve the health and safety of Americans,” said USIBWC Commissioner Chad McIntosh. 

Previous agreements on this issue, like Minute 328 that was signed by IBWC in 2022, did not go far enough to achieve the 100% solution that San Diego area residents demand. Minute 333 will account for future population growth in Tijuana, build critical Mexico-side infrastructure projects that weren’t previously agreed-upon, ensure Mexico does its part to properly operate and maintain existing and new facilities, enhance technical information sharing, promote industry best practices for wastewater and stormwater management in Mexico to be consistent with the United States, and strengthen communications with counterparts and the public. 

Some of the top agreed upon actions in Minute 333 include:  

• The creation of an operations and maintenance (O&M) account at the North America Development Bank (NADBank) which would set aside a portion of any future dollars provided to Mexico to be held for future O&M costs, with recommendations due within 12 months of signing.  
• Mexico will develop a Tijuana water infrastructure master plan within 6 months. 
• A Minute 333 binational working group will be created within three months to assess the feasibility of constructing an ocean outfall for the San Antonio de los Buenos Wastewater Treatment Plant (SABWWTP), along with assessing the technical and financial feasibility of expanding SABWWTP from 18.26 million gallons per day (MGD) to 43.37 MGD. 
• Mexico will construct a sediment basin in Matadero Canyon (Smuggler’s Gulch), which is located near the international boundary, prior to the 2026-2027 rainy season. 
• Mexico will construct the Tecolote-La Gloria Wastewater Treatment Plant with a capacity of 3 MGD by December 2028; 

To learn more about other agreed upon items, see the full text of Minute 333 here.

With the signing of the new Minute, the Trump Administration will have met all its obligations under the MOU for 2025. That includes the completion of a 10 MGD expansion of the South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant (SBIWTP) in 100 days; a 100-day review of all Minute 328 projects  to ensure completion at the earliest possible date, which resulted in shedding an additional 9 months off construction timelines for a total of 12 years saved since the July MOU; and issuing the first-ever quarterly public update on MOU implementation progress. 

The Trump Administration has not been shy about holding Mexico accountable, working in close coordination with government counterparts to ensure both nations are faithfully implementing all agreed upon actions from this year’s agreements. President Trump weighed in on this issue last week in a Truth Social post echoing the urgency San Diego residents have been begging for.   

To view the MOU that Administrator Zeldin signed in Mexico City, please click here.

See additional quotes from federal and local elected officials on today’s announcement below:

Representative Darrell Issa (R-CA-48): “From day one, Administrator Zeldin and his team took on challenges that have been ignored for years or others concluded couldn’t be solved. The difference this leadership makes is made real by the remarkable progress in dealing with the Tijuana sewage crisis, rejecting a stale status quo, and advancing a durable solution that is built to last.”

Montana Senator and Navy SEAL Tim Sheehy: “This latest agreement between the United States and Mexico is a tremendous step in the right direction. As a SEAL who trained in these waters, I’m grateful to President Trump and Administrator Zeldin for their laser focus on bringing a quick, lasting end to the toxic tide that has caused serious health issues for our troops, harming our readiness and our national security.” 

Representative Scott Peters (D-CA-50): “The San Diego congressional delegation has worked to fix the very serious health danger of toxic wastewater flowing across the U.S.-Mexico border for years and we have secured hundreds of millions of dollars to fix and expand the aging plant. But Congress cannot do this alone; I am extremely grateful to Administrator Zeldin for his steadfast dedication to a 100 percent solution that upholds U.S. obligations and, most importantly, commits Mexico to build, maintain and fund the projects it must have to protect its people now, as well as future population growth. I very much value our partnership with Mexico, and my partnership with the Administration to solve this crisis for San Diegans.”

Representative Mike Levin (D-CA-49): “I am pleased to see that we are moving forward on a new United States-Mexico agreement that will make progress on addressing this public health crisis. For far too long under both Democratic and Republican administrations, progress has been unacceptably slow, and this is a step in the right direction. Since I first arrived in Congress, addressing cross-border pollution has been a top priority of mine, I was proud to help secure over $300 million to address it under the 2020 USMCA, and grateful our delegation has secured hundreds of millions since. I am glad to see that we are building on those investments with infrastructure and funding commitments from Mexico, and I look forward to seeing this money be put to use to upgrade critical infrastructure to help our communities as quickly as possible. I will not stop until this public health crisis is fully addressed.”

California State Assemblyman Carl DeMaio: “For decades, San Diego families have paid the price for Mexico dumping sewage and trash into our communities. Under President Trump and EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin, the federal government is finally demanding accountability, speeding up action on the Mexican side of the border, and putting an end to the excuses. This is the kind of enforcement-first leadership San Diego has been waiting for.”

San Diego County Supervisor Jim Desmond: “I want to commend the federal government and Administrator Zeldin for continuing to prioritize the Tijuana sewage crisis. This is another important step forward in addressing a decades-long problem that has severely impacted our region. For far too long, our communities, beaches, public health, and environment have paid the price. Sustained federal leadership and accountability are critical, and I’m encouraged to see this issue remain a top priority.”

Coronado Mayor John Duncan: “A city greatly impacted by the millions of gallons of Tijuana Sewage flowing across our border, I am extremely grateful for the focus of the current Administration on expediting additional infrastructure and treatment on both sides of the border.  Coronado is extremely important to our nation’s defense.  The military bases here are home to the US Navy SEALs, three nuclear powered aircraft carriers and tens of thousands of Navy sailors and pilots. Thank you to EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin, IBWC Commissioner Chad McIntosh and the State Department for negotiating and documenting solutions with Mexico via this new Minute Order, Minute 333.” 

Vista Mayor John Franklin: “President Trump and Administrator Zeldin are making big progress in solving the Tijuana sewage crisis. In his first administration President Trump secured $300 million in the USMCA Agreement for the expansion and upgrade of the South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant (SBIWTP). Money alone isn’t enough however. President Trump and Administrator Zeldin’s leadership in the early months of his second administration is leveraging the IBWC with the new leadership of Chad McIntosh and putting maximum pressure on our Mexican partners to do their part and honor the more than $650 million in total U.S. investment to solve a problem that severely and negatively affects the people of San Diego County. Competent management, creation of efficient timelines and oversight were the missing ingredients and now we are seeing progress because of the leadership of President Trump and Administrator Zeldin.” 

California Senate Republican Leader Brian Jones: “The ongoing sewage crisis in the Tijuana River Valley is a longstanding issue that has affected communities across San Diego County and my district for decades. Its impacts on public health and the environment remain a serious concern and will require continued attention in the years to come. I was on the ground in the area as recently as last week and I can tell you firsthand this crisis requires immediate, ongoing and decisive action.” 

San Marcos Mayor Rebecca Jones: “As a San Diego County native, I have seen this problem only get more and more serious, affecting the health of local residents and hurting our environment. Like many tough issues, it takes collaboration and a commitment to take action. Today is a solid step forward toward finally working together for a permanent solution.”

Imperial Beach Mayor Mitchell D. McKay: “The City of Imperial Beach wishes to express its renewed sense of cautious optimism in this critical & formal step forward – the memorializing of the previous MOU into an official Treaty minute – Minute 333.  We appreciate the current Administration’s EPA and IBWC timely efforts to move the needle forward on this issue of paramount importance.  This strategic legal contract between the governments of Mexico and the United States contains measurable progress of necessary infrastructure projects – on both sides of the border – moving us closer toward a final 100% Solution for our region’s long-standing Transboundary Sewage Crisis. We look forward to significant progress in the near term and future days when our precious beaches will once again be open for our residents, businesses and visitors to enjoy.” 

El Cajon Mayor Bill Wells: “I’d like to extend my heartfelt thanks to President Trump and EPA Administrator Zeldin for the timely and meaningful progress they have made in addressing the Tijuana sewage crisis. It is refreshing to see government working as it should. The City of El Cajon and the greater San Diego County region are grateful.”

San Diego County Supervisor of District 2 Joel Anderson: “I’m grateful to the Trump Administration and EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin for making this issue a priority. Administrator Zeldin’s detailed and direct approach included hard deadlines, separating it from previous Administrations. We thank President Trump and Administrator Zeldin for their continued focus and proactive work on an issue that has negatively impacted the San Diego region for decades.”