EPA investigates cross-border sewage flow from Mexico into California waters

The EPA is looking into reports of cross-border sewage flow from Mexico into Southern California coastal waters

The situation has reportedly affected local communities, tourism and military personnel. In a social media post from Wednesday, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin said he would visit San Diego next Tuesday to, quote

ramp up efforts to permanently end decades of raw sewage entering the U.S. from Mexico

Zeldin added a, quote, comprehensive plan must immediately and urgently be deployed to stop this contamination coming from across the border

According to an EPA spokesperson, Zeldin will tour the South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant

participate in a roundtable discussion with local stakeholders and elected officials, and take a helicopter tour of the U.S. southern border

He is also expected to meet with Navy SEALs, who train in waters where the sewage reportedly enters

Officials in the area have raised concerns about the environmental and public health impact of the sewage flowing from Tijuana into the Tijuana River and subsequently into U waters In a letter sent to Zeldin in March one local mayor described the situation as quote

one of America's most horrendous environmental and public health disasters, citing over 31

billion gallons of contaminated water crossing the border since 2023, as well as a San Diego

County poll, which found 71 percent of residents surveyed believe their tap water is unsafe and

Nearly 50 percent of households reported a health symptom caused by the sewage crisis

Meanwhile, a Department of Defense Inspector General report from February indicated that more than 1,000 Navy SEALs and trainees experienced illnesses

including gastrointestinal conditions, after water training exercises conducted between January 2019 and May 2023

Zeldin's upcoming visit to the affected region aims to gather firsthand information on the current conditions

and to engage with those dealing with this ongoing pollution. For Straight Arrow News, I'm Jack Almer