Update, June 1:
The U.S. International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC) is pressing Mexico to accelerate emergency repairs to a collapsed sewage pipeline in Tijuana after a second rupture in roughly two weeks along the same 10-mile line.
Repairs are expected to take several days.
IBWC Commissioner Chad McIntosh contacted his Mexican counterpart, Commissioner Adriana Reséndez of the Mexican IBWC Section, to demand a 24/7 repair effort and urge Mexico to do everything possible to keep wastewater out of the Tijuana River.
Mexico’s section notified the US section of the IBWC Friday night of the collapse in the Parallel Gravity Line, which carries sewage from Tijuana to the San Antonio de los Buenos wastewater treatment plant on the Mexican coast. Mexico shut down several pumps along the border to allow emergency crews to work. Replacement piping arrived at the job site Saturday night, and Mexico says it is working on multiple fronts to finish sooner.
Flows are elevated at IBWC’s canyon collectors on the border, though no problems have been reported. Those collectors intercept dry-weather flows and sewage originating from Mexico and divert them to the South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant, which is operating normally.
Residents near the Tijuana River Channel may notice stronger odors and higher wastewater flows in the coming days.
The Parallel Gravity Line is being rehabilitated as part of the binational agreement signed by the U.S. and Mexico last year.
Original post, published May 31:
A pipeline that carries wastewater through Tijuana has collapsed again — just two weeks after Mexico made emergency repairs to the same line.
The U.S. Section of the International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC) on Saturday reported an overnight collapse on the Parallel Gravity Line. The cause of the collapse is unknown. Mexico has shut down several pumps along the border to allow crews to make repairs.
That same line failed on May 14, resulting in emergency repairs that were completed on May 16.
Area residents may notice increased wastewater flows into the Tijuana River Channel, along with stronger than usual odors. The IBWC said it’s monitoring expected flows, sediment, and trash in the canyon collectors and is ready to respond.
The agency also said it is coordinating with Mexican water authorities and pressing Mexico to bring all suspended pumps back into operation as quickly as possible.
The South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant (SBIWTP) is currently operating normally, the IBWC said.
The Tijuana River Valley and area beaches have been plagued by sewage contamination for decades as both the US and Mexico work to repair failing infrastructure to address the problem. Imperial Beach and Coronado have faced lengthy beach closures, prompting health, environmental, and economic concerns.
At the time of publication, the Imperial Beach shoreline has been closed since Dec. 24. Coronado’s beaches are open, including the the Silver Strand shoreline, which was closed earlier in May due to water quality. Check current beach closures here.
This is a developing story. Updates will be published as they become available.
Can someone talk to our great President to solve this issue? I am sure some retired Navy General from Coronado has President Ears. Newscum is not doing anything, Mexico infrastructure is obsolete and it is doing Whac-A-Mole kind of fixes.
Why not sue the Federal Government for the monies that were allocated for this fix over the 40 plus years that Congress has not released this money properly. Senator Diane Feinstein started with 100K approved for this fix in the first year and this money was reduced to 10K. The beaches here are not safe for residence, tourists and Navy Seals over the last 5 years we have had the closures from spillage.
The situation is a major embarrassment and the US and Mexico need to seriously consider the environmental consequences that are taking place.
It’s a shame that our citizens, military families and businesses are suffering. Yet, our elected representatives continue to “kick the can” down the road.
We need some serious leadership to stop this complete disregard and insensitivity to this international crisis.
Great job reporting- keep up the good work!
Ironically, US corporations didn’t give a crap about being a good neighbor when building 500+ factories that attracted cheaper (Mexican) labor and weren’t subject to the same environmental standards. The US is part of the problem and must be part of the solution.
Ironically, US corporations didn’t give a crap about being a good neighbor when building 500+ factories that attracted cheaper (Mexican) labor and weren’t subject to the same environmental standards. The US is part of the problem and must be part of the solution.
So a pipe that carries waste into the ocean collapse and sewage goes into the ocean, is that what I am getting from this?
Just take a look at the wooden ladder in the picture. It tells you everything you need to know about the capabilities in Mexico.
It’s frustrating to see infrastructure issues happen so quickly after repairs. Did they give any reason for the collapse?
The IBWC said the cause is unknown, but I am hoping they’ll have more information soon. I’ll update this article as I find out more.
Duct tape and gorilla glue didn’t work. Ironically mexico doesn’t give a crap about being a good neighbor.