US Invests Over $90 Million in Mexico for San Antonio Water Treatment
Mexico City, Mexico – Alicia Bárcena, head of Mexico’s Secretariat of Environment and Natural resources (Semarnat), announced a meaningful binational investment aimed at improving water treatment infrastructure. The United States will contribute over $90 million towards water treatment plants in San Antonio, Mexico, as part of a broader agreement to address cross-border environmental challenges.
The joint initiative will see a total investment of $93 million (approximately 1,700 million pesos) shared between Mexico and the United States, with funds allocated for the years 2026 and 2027. This investment is specifically earmarked for the expansion of the San Antonio treatment plant, a critical project for the region.
To facilitate this expansion, $67 million (1,200 million pesos) is required. The United States is expected to provide half of this amount, with Mexico contributing the remainder through financing from the Ministry of Finance.
This agreement stems from a commitment made by both nations to accelerate the completion of vital infrastructure projects. Bárcena highlighted the potential to expedite the expansion of the san Antonio plant, suggesting it could be completed within a year if financing is secured promptly. A significant binational agreement has been signed, fostering more frequent collaboration and focusing on projects like the Tijuana plant.
Under the terms of the agreement, Mexico will fulfill its commitment of $93 million for infrastructure projects, adhering to a specific timeline for priority initiatives up to 2027.
The Tijuana River, a 195-kilometer waterway, flows along the Mexican border and into Southern California before emptying into the Pacific Ocean. Aging wastewater treatment facilities in Tijuana, coupled with a growing population and industrial activity, including maquiladoras producing goods for the U.S., have led to a substantial increase in pollutants entering the river.
As 2018, over 378 million liters (100 billion gallons) of untreated wastewater, laden with industrial chemicals and waste, have flowed into the river and San Diego County. this contamination has had severe health consequences, affecting swimmers, surfers, lifeguards, children, Border Patrol agents, and even those who do not directly come into contact with the water.scientists warn that evaporated wastewater can contaminate the air, posing a respiratory risk.
The ongoing pollution crisis has resulted in the closure of California beaches near the border for extended periods over the past four years,underscoring the urgent need for these binational infrastructure improvements.