IBWC is working on 4 key fronts to address
transboundary flows and wastewater
quality affecting the coast.
Before and after: Sediment and debris accumulation in a primary sedimentation tank resulting in compliance issues.
Since 2021, IBWC redirected $34 million to
SBIWTP to address the damage caused by
Tropical Storm Hilary and continued high
flows from Mexico that bring unexpected large
volumes of debris and trash which have
caused issues with our discharge permit.
Weekly communication on repair progress
with the San Diego Regional Water Quality
Control Board ensures transparency. See list
of projects on reverse side.
IBWC Minute 328: signed July 19, 2022, to
implement infrastructure projects and improve
sanitation conditions in San Diego-Tijuana
Facility Assessment/Pre-design:
Start: October 2022; End: November 2023
Procurement phase:
Start: December 8, 2023; Award: August 20, 2024
Scope:
Project is a progressive design-build and includes final design and construction for rehabilitation and expansion to 50 MGD with 75 MGD peaking factor. Estimated total cost $600M. Secured funding $650M.
Design:
$42.4 million for full scope
Start: September 2024; End: May 2026
Construction: 5 years
Definitive schedule and costs will be determined between 30% and 60% design. Through progressive design-build,
elements of design and construction can be executed
concurrently. As such, it’s possible this schedule can be decreased by as much as 18 months.
The plant will continue to operate during construction and excess flows in the Tijuana River will continue to be
diverted to Punta Bandera.
In addition to efforts for the SBIWTP, $144 million has been committed by Mexico for the 14 infrastructure
projects under Minute 328. Approximately 40% of funding has been secured. IBWC and U.S. EPA hold monthly
status review meetings of these projects with Mexico.
Key projects underway in Tijuana:
International bypass collector
Rehabilitation of pump station PB1
New San Antonio de los Buenos WWTP
Reuse of effluent in Mexico
Tijuana River Gates
Performance scores 4 and 5 need immediate attention.
International Boundary and Water Commission, United States Section
ADDRESSING TRANSBOUNDARY FLOWS & WATER QUALITY
ACTIVITIES FACT SHEET
3. Minute 328 - Mexico
2. SBIWTP Rehabilitation and Expansion
Equipment failures, condition, and age are
impacting performance.
430 assets/36% need immediate attention.
1.Urgent Repairs for Permit Compliance
April 2025
Scan for status of Minute 328 projects
Attachment 1
IBWC is very concerned about the high flows and sediment entering the United States from Mexico in the Tijuana River. During the dry season, pump station PBCILA should be diverting flows to achieve zero or minimal transboundary flows. We are implementing steps to identify the sources. This plan includes:
1. Accelerated Commissioner-level meetings; 2. Water data from Tijuana Utility; 3. Review of satellite imagery; 4. Binational river inspections; and 5. U.S.-Mexico collaboration.
Urgent repairs at SBIWTP to restore performance and add redundancy in process:
ACTION DESCRIPTION COST DATE
AWARDED NOTES
Repair Influent flow meter
and associated piping and
valves
Replace deteriorated CementLined Ductile Iron (CLDI) piping and flow meter
$1,791,532 8/17/2021 Completed
Clean PSTs #1-4
Emergency Maintenance due to
excess trash and sediment from
excess inflows from MX
$1,782,473 7/28/2023 Completed
Repair Junction Box #1 Design and construction $5,793,110 8/10/2023 Complete by August 2025 Rehab PSTs #1-5
Emergency Maintenance due to
trash and sediment from excess
inflows from MX
$2,384,511 8/14/2023 Completed
USST Valves and Piping
Replacement Rehab USST #1&2 $2,979,490 9/29/2023 Complete by Summer 2025 Backup Pumps & Motors For redundancy after TS Storm
Hilary
$3,992,690 9/29/2023 Complete by December 2025
$197,543 8/9/2024 Modification for required
electrical work
Clean Grit Chambers
Emergency Maintenance due to
trash and sediment from excess
inflows from MX
$439,065 2/16/2024 Complete by May 2024
4 Backup Influent Pumps For redundancy after TS Storm
Hilary $1,908,000 3/25/2024 Pumps on orderComplete by Summer 2025 Rehab Belt Filter Presses
#1-4
Rapid deterioration caused by
sand in sludge $4,668,046 5/10/2024 Complete by Summer 2025 Modifying for additional work Hollister Street Pump
Station Repairs
Clean out surge tanks filled with
sediment and perform electrical
repairs
$161,000 8/2/2024 Completed
Rehab Grit Facility
Replace grit classifiers, gallery,
Blowers, piping/valves and other
components
$7,560,323 3/29/2025 Estimated completion October
2026
Replacement of Silva Drain
and conveyance lines to
JB2
Replace collector structure and
conveyance line to JB2, install 4
manholes
$637,012 4/21/2025 Estimated completion May
2025
Rehab Hollister and Goats
Pump Station
Replace Surge Arrestor system,
Pumps, Odor Control, and
electrical systems
TBD TBD Funding approved. Proposal
expected the end of April
Total = $34,294,795
MOVING FORWARD – IBWC IS WORKING ON THE FOLLOWING KEY FRONTS
1. Continuation of urgent repairs for redundancy: Ongoing since 2023. Permit compliance achieved in November 2024 with completed urgent repairs.
2. SBIWTP Expansion/Rehabilitation: Progressive design build awarded August 2024
3. Minute 328 – Ongoing monitoring progress of Mexico’s projects
4. Urgent action on Tijuana River Flows, including focus on PBCILA.
Recent Investments: USIBWC funds redirected since 2021 for SBIWTP = $34 Million 18 Projects Completed since 2021 totaling $7.5 Million
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4. Urgent Action on Tijuana River Flows
SBIWTP Background
1997: SBIWTP initiates operation, advanced primary treatment, 25 mgd/75 mgd peak Construction cost = $147M 2011: Secondary treatment in operation, 25 mgd/50 mgd peak Construction cost = $93.3M 2018: Secondary treatment expansion to increase efficiency Construction cost = $18.2M Attachment 1