The United States and Mexico have signed a new binational agreement known as Minute 333, establishing a detailed plan to address the toxic sewage crisis that has polluted the Tijuana River Valley and repeatedly closed beaches in Imperial Beach and Coronado. The pact outlines major wastewater inf rastructure projects in Tijuana, enhanced monitoring and new accountability measures to ensure Mexico operates and maintains its sewer systems. EPA Deputy Administrator David Fotouhi said the agreement marks progress but not an immediate solution to the longstanding public health and environmental emergency. “This human health and ecological crisis will not end solely with the swipe of a pen,” Fotouhi said. Under Minute 333, Mexico will, by December 2028, build the Tecolote-La Gloria Wastewater Treatment Plan, which will be able to process 3 million gallons per day. Mexico will also construct a new sediment basin in Matadero Canyon — near Smuggler’s Gulch along the border — before the 2026-27 rainy season to capture polluted runoff. In addition, Mexico will develop a Tijuana Water Infrastructure Master Plan within six months. Fotouhi said the agreement also calls for Mexico to evaluate several upgrades at the San Antonio de los Buenos Wastewater Treatment Plant, known as SABWWTP. “This minute includes infrastructure projects, research, enhanced monitoring and planning for operation and maintenance of critical sites and systems that will account for future population growth in Tijuana,” Fotouhi said. A Minute 333 binational working group will study the feasibility of constructing an ocean outfall for SABWWTP. “They will also assess the feasibility of expanding the plant from roughly 18 million gallons per day to over 43 million gallons per day,” Fotouhi said. Several of these Mexico-side upgrades are intended to divert sewage farther from the U.S. coastline. Coronado Mayor John Duncan said those changes would reduce the days South Bay beaches are forced to close when contamination drifts north. “It would put it 3-6 miles off the coast and not right where it rolls into Imperial Beach and Coronado,” Duncan said. Duncan emphasized that residents’ frustration is justified but said the plan shows meaningful momentum. “I know the population is frustrated,” Duncan said. “Imperial Beach should be insanely frustrated. They’re making some huge strides with funding and with holding Mexico accountable.” To ensure accountability, money designated for Mexico’s repairs and upgrades will be held in an account and released only for those specific uses. Fotouhi said Mexico will also develop the Tijuana Water Infrastructure Master Plan to guide long-term planning. Despite the new commitments, the agreement does not address the heavily polluted Tijuana River itself, where manufacturing waste and urban runoff continue to flow into San Diego County. Scientists say the toxic mix creates harmful gases in the Tijuana River Valley, especially near Egger Highlands. Duncan called for emergency federal funding to address that part of the problem. “Our U.S. congressional delegation in San Diego should seek funding to help fund that on an emergency basis right now,” Duncan said. Fotouhi said the United States and Mexico aim to expedite the work. “We want to solve this crisis as quickly as possible,” Fotouhi said. This story was originally reported for broadcast by NBC San Diego. AI tools helped convert the story to a digital article, and an NBC San Diego journalist edited the article for publication. ...read more read less