Rep. Scott Peters has called on Baja California Governor Marina del Pilar Ávila to provide updates on the status of projects in Mexico to reduce wastewater pollution, including the construction of a new sewage treatment facility in Tijuana.
Mexico has pledged to spend $144 million in 2022 to build sanitation infrastructure to stop the sewage outflow that frequently forces beaches to close in San Diego County.
Peters, whose district includes Coronado, wrote to del Pilar Ávila on Wednesday. His letter was also signed by San Diego-area Reps. Sara Jacobs, Mike Levin and Juan Vargas.
“Our constituents are clamoring for an end to this crisis, and while we know that these investments will take some time to deploy, we respectfully request that your office keep us apprised of the progress being made so we can further assure the people of Imperial Beach, Coronado, and San Diego that relief is on the way,” Peters wrote.
In the letter, he encouraged the governor to consider short-term measures to reduce bacteria levels at beaches, including dredging existing settling ponds and adding chemical treatment and aerators.
Peters said continued beach closures and environmental degradation resulting from cross-border sewage are unacceptable.
