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Environmental Concerns as Mexico Plans Sewage Disposal
Mexico is expected to release approximately 400 million gallons of sewage into the Tijuana River, a situation that continues to have serious environmental implications for both sides of the border. This ongoing issue poses a direct threat to beaches and communities in the United States, according to local officials.
Maintenance work on the sewer infrastructure in Tijuana, located across the border from San Diego, is set to take place soon. This maintenance has historically resulted in untreated sewage being dumped into local waterways instead of being directed to treatment facilities, as noted by San Diego Supervisor Jim Desmond.
Desmond highlighted the persistent nature of the problem, explaining, “Each time maintenance is carried out, the sewage is diverted into the river, which flows down and ultimately reaches U.S. shores. Regrettably, the path of least resistance often leads to our beaches.”
He elaborated that the sewage finds its way into the Tijuana River, a drainage system that leads downhill, where, unfortunately, the direction is toward the United States.
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The ongoing issue of sewage-contaminated runoff has prompted officials to call for a viable resolution. Critics argue that instead of addressing the issue by rerouting the sewage flow responsibly, Mexico has opted to transfer the burden onto the United States.
Desmond asserted that this persistent overflow of toxic waste and sewage from the Tijuana River has been a long-standing issue, resulting in frequent beach closures along the U.S. coastline.
On Tuesday, Lee Zeldin from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced plans to visit the border region in San Diego to discuss the impact of what he referred to as “disgusting Mexican sewage” entering the U.S.
Recent images show migrants surrendering near the Tijuana River at the U.S.-Mexico border, underscoring the complex humanitarian and environmental challenges facing the area.
Fox News Digital reached out to officials at the EPA as well as the Mexican consulate in San Diego, aiming to gain further insight into the situation.
Desmond criticized the Mexican authorities, stating there seems to be no motivation for them to rectify this ongoing problem, largely because there have been no serious repercussions for their actions.
The ongoing environmental concerns escalate as the border fence runs between Imperial Beach, California, and Playas de Tijuana, with local officials calling for urgent action to mitigate the health risks posed by sewage runoff.
Desmond stressed, “It’s crucial for us to pursue better solutions rather than passively accepting the role of a sewage collection point for Tijuana.”
To motivate Mexican officials to address the sewage issue, Desmond suggested that the U.S. might consider restricting the flow of individuals across the border and limiting visa issuance as potential leverage, especially should beaches need to remain closed.
The Tijuana River runs perilously close to a shopping center on the American side of the border, raising significant public health concerns. Desmond pointed out that, due to proximity to toxic runoff, residents, particularly children and the elderly, have suffered health problems related to unpleasant odors stemming from the sewage.
In conclusion, Desmond remarked, “It is imperative that we establish a more efficient system to handle this issue instead of merely registering as a dumping ground for Tijuana’s waste.”
Original article source: Mexico to dump millions of gallons of sewage into Tijuana River, US continues to be a dumping ground: Official
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www.yahoo.com