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EPA Rejects Superfund Status for Tijuana River Estuary

3/20/2025

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Summary

Story summary

The U.S. EPA has rejected Mayor Paloma Aguirre's plea to label the Tijuana River Estuary a Superfund site, pointing to ongoing wastewater treatment upgrades. Aguirre condemned the decision, highlighting escalating pollution and health dangers. In response, California lawmakers are calling on EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin to witness the sewage crisis in person.

History

Historical Context

The Tijuana River Estuary has faced pollution issues for decades, primarily due to untreated sewage from Tijuana, Mexico. Historical attempts to address this, such as the 1980s construction of the San Diego-Tijuana Wastewater Treatment Plant, have been insufficient. The ongoing crisis reflects broader environmental challenges along the U.S.-Mexico border, highlighting failures in binational cooperation and regulatory enforcement.

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Story summary

The U.S. EPA has rejected Mayor Paloma Aguirre's plea to label the Tijuana River Estuary a Superfund site, pointing to ongoing wastewater treatment upgrades. Aguirre condemned the decision, highlighting escalating pollution and health dangers. In response, California lawmakers are calling on EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin to witness the sewage crisis in person.

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