EPA Chief Zeldin Returns to San Diego to Address Sewage Crisis

Administrator promises "100% solution" to decades-old cross-border pollution issue.

Feb. 5, 2026 at 1:31am

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One year after taking office, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin will return to San Diego County on Thursday to continue addressing the long-standing Tijuana sewage crisis that has plagued the South Bay community for decades. Zeldin has made the issue a priority, promising a "100% solution" to the problem that has impacted Imperial Beach and surrounding areas.

Why it matters

The cross-border sewage issue has been an ongoing environmental and public health concern for the San Diego region, with raw sewage from Tijuana frequently spilling into the Pacific Ocean and impacting beaches and water quality. Zeldin's visit signals the EPA's continued commitment to finding a permanent solution to this decades-old problem.

The details

Since being sworn in as EPA Administrator in January 2025, Zeldin has made multiple visits to the South Bay area and signed landmark agreements with Mexican counterparts to increase cross-border cooperation and solidify research, monitoring, and planning efforts. While some progress has been made, local residents remain skeptical about the pace of the cleanup, with one longtime Imperial Beach resident estimating the current progress at only 10% of Zeldin's promised "100% solution."

  • Zeldin was sworn in as EPA Administrator on January 29, 2025.
  • Zeldin made his first visit to the South Bay on April 22, 2025.
  • Zeldin traveled to Mexico City in July 2025 to sign a memorandum of understanding.
  • The EPA released its first quarterly update on the sewage crisis in November 2025.
  • Minute 333, another agreement with Mexico, was signed in December 2025.

The players

Lee Zeldin

The 17th Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, appointed in January 2025.

Marvel Harrison

A 6-year resident of Imperial Beach who has mixed feelings about the progress made so far in addressing the sewage crisis.

International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC)

A binational commission responsible for applying the boundary and water treaties between the United States and Mexico.

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What they’re saying

“We're coming here with an incredible sense of urgency to have a solution that can be executed to permanently end this.”

— Lee Zeldin, EPA Administrator (10news.com)

“Follow through needs to be total, it needs to be fast, it needs to be urgent. It needs to be with unlimited dedication and passion.”

— Lee Zeldin, EPA Administrator (10news.com)

“Let's fix this damn thing. Let's find the resources. Let's have the political will to actually totally clean it up because we can do this.”

— Marvel Harrison, Imperial Beach Resident (10news.com)

What’s next

During his Thursday visit, Zeldin will meet with small business owners and elected officials impacted by the crisis as he continues efforts to address the long-standing environmental issue.

The takeaway

Zeldin's return to San Diego County signals the EPA's ongoing commitment to finding a permanent solution to the decades-old Tijuana sewage crisis, but local residents remain skeptical about the pace of progress, underscoring the need for urgent and sustained action to fully address this cross-border environmental and public health concern.