October 30, 2026 — South Bay. Federal agencies say several major projects aimed at reducing Tijuana River sewage flows are moving forward, but the work is not finished and residents should not interpret construction progress as an end to the contamination problem.
What has been completed—and what remains
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s September 30 quarterly update, the South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant reached 35 million gallons per day of treatment capacity in August 2025, and a parallel gravity line was completed in August 2026. A major construction contract for expanding the treatment plant to 50 million gallons per day was awarded in September 2026; EPA said major construction was expected to begin soon afterward.
The agency also reported that Phase 2 of the Tijuana River Gates project began construction in September, with the project intended to reduce flows entering the river. The broader system includes repairs to wastewater lines and pumping infrastructure on both sides of the border.
Preparing for winter storms
Federal crews reported clearing roughly 16,622 feet of the river pilot channel as of late September. EPA and the U.S. International Boundary and Water Commission are coordinating with regional agencies on wet-weather readiness ahead of the 2026–27 rainy season. That work matters because heavy runoff can worsen the consequences of infrastructure failures and contaminated flows.
What South Bay residents should watch
The key questions are whether construction milestones are met, whether wet-weather flows can be managed, and whether measurable reductions in sewage reach the river and coast. Residents should consult current beach-water advisories before entering the ocean; an infrastructure update is not a beach-safety clearance.
Primary sources: EPA Tijuana River Watershed public updates and EPA September 30, 2026 quarterly news release.
