CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
February 4, 2025 {{section.number}}{{item.number}}
CROSS-BORDER WATER QUALITY QUARTERLY UPDATE
RECOMMENDATION:
Receive a quarterly report on Cross Border Water Quality and provide direction regarding the City’s advocacy efforts.
BACKGROUND:
The City of Tijuana’s regional wastewater infrastructure is decades old, has inadequate capacity to treat and convey wastewater and suffers from repeated breaks and system failures. These failures lead to spillage and wastewater discharge into the Tijuana River, its tributaries and outfall into the Pacific Ocean, polluting the ocean waters off Imperial Beach, Coronado and beyond.
The City of Coronado has tirelessly advocated for cross-border water treatment solutions since 2016, and has designated Councilmember liaisons to focus on this charge. In February 2024, the City Council reauthorized an Ad Hoc Committee on Cross Border Water Pollution. Mayor Duncan and Councilmember Fleming were ratified as Committee members in December 2024.
Councilmember Downey has served as the City representative to the National League of Cities (NLC) and its Environment, Energy and Natural Resources (EENR) Committee, advocating for the continued inclusion of cross-border water pollution in the NLC’s national platform. In December 2024, the Council ratified Councilmember Fleming as the City’s NLC liaison, with Councilmember Downey as the alternate and Councilmember Steward as the second alternate.
Councilmember Downey has been appointed to the 2025 EENR Committee.
In addition, Mayor Duncan serves on the International Boundary Water Commission (IBWC) Citizen Forum and attends various Federal working groups which are coordinating on crossborder pollution.
In these roles, Councilmembers have cultivated the support of members of Congress from across the country, traveled to Washington, D.C. advocating for funding and streamlined infrastructure improvements, and leveraged national organizations to broaden the coalition of supporters.
These collective advocacy efforts, in collaboration with regional partners and supported by the City’s Federal advocacy team, have amplified the momentum to resolve cross-border water pollution. There now exists new levels of Congressional support, Mexico’s positive progress with its SAB treatment plant and the repeated authorization of Federal funding to advance critically needed repairs and expansion of the IBWC’s International Treatment Plant.
ANALYSIS:
At the February 4, 2025 City Council meeting, the City’s Federal advocates, BB&K will provide a summary on activities, new Federal funding and infrastructure project progress. Councilmembers will provide updates on their activities across the past several months, as appropriate.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact.
ALTERNATIVE:
The Council may provide direction as needed.
CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT:
Not a project under CEQA.
PUBLIC NOTICE:
No notice required.
ATTACHMENTS:
None.
Submitted By: City Manager’s Office / Tina Friend