San Diego Leaders Unveil 'Roadmap' to Solve Tijuana River Pollution Crisis

Comprehensive binational plan aims to eliminate sewage flows, restore coastal water quality, and establish sustainable wastewater management.

Published on Mar. 11, 2026

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Business leaders and the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce have released a report detailing a "roadmap" to address the longstanding Tijuana River pollution crisis. The plan outlines five key pillars, including reliable infrastructure funding, improved operations and maintenance, strengthened governance and accountability, enhanced public communication, and long-term water management and reuse. The goal is to eliminate dry-weather transboundary sewage flows, restore coastal water quality, and establish accountable, sustainable wastewater management in the region.

Why it matters

The Tijuana River pollution crisis has plagued the San Diego-Tijuana region for decades, causing beach closures, noxious odors, and potential long-term health risks. This comprehensive, binational plan aims to finally address the issue through coordinated action and investment on both sides of the border.

The details

The five pillars of the plan include: 1) Reliable infrastructure funding and rehabilitation of critical assets, such as completing Minute 328 projects, modernizing the South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant, and updating Tijuana's "Gran Visíon" plan. 2) A more reliable and modernized operations and maintenance program, including securing predictable funding, creating a binational technical committee, and incentivizing Mexico to prevent transboundary flows. 3) Strengthened governance and accountability through a two-tier oversight structure, including a technical committee to track milestones and a Binational Executive Oversight Committee to unblock stalled projects. 4) Enhanced public communication and transparency, such as maintaining the Scripps Plume Forecasting Model and hosting an annual "State of the River" forum. 5) Long-term water management, reuse, and planning, including a regularly updated master plan and the development of large-scale wastewater reuse projects.

  • The report was released on March 11, 2026.

The players

San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce

A business organization representing the San Diego region that led the development of the "roadmap" report.

Chris Cate

The president and CEO of the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce who led the news conference to detail the plan.

Chris Howard

The chamber board chair and president and CEO of Sharp HealthCare who spoke about the importance of addressing the Tijuana River crisis to safeguard public health.

Dr. Emily Young

The vice president of programs at the Prebys Foundation who said the sewage crisis has threatened the health and well-being of children and families for too long.

Courtney Baltiyskyy

The vice president of public policy and advocacy for the YMCA of San Diego County and Tijuana River Coalition facilitator who recognized the importance of the five-pillar plan.

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What they’re saying

“For too long, the Tijuana River contamination crisis has been addressed in fragments. What has been missing is a comprehensive, binational roadmap that connects the problem to clear, coordinated action.”

— Chris Cate, President and CEO, San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce (nbcsandiego.com)

“No community should have to live with the health risks caused by ongoing sewage contamination. Addressing the Tijuana River crisis is critical to safeguarding public health and ensuring the long-term well-being of our region.”

— Chris Howard, Chamber Board Chair and President and CEO, Sharp HealthCare (nbcsandiego.com)

“The sewage crisis in the Tijuana River Valley has threatened the health and well-being of children and families for far too long. Prebys Foundation is supporting research and local organizations raising awareness and advocating for solutions. Lasting progress will require governments, philanthropy, and community leaders on both sides of the border working together to advance enduring solutions.”

— Dr. Emily Young, Vice President of Programs, Prebys Foundation (nbcsandiego.com)

“With dedication to addressing the severe environmental and public health crisis caused by the transboundary pollution in the Tijuana River Watershed, we recognize the importance of the five-pillar plan. With understanding of this research across communities, tangible solutions, and sustainable funding, we can consistently make progress to fix the infrastructure problems, heal communities impacted, and prevent further harm.”

— Courtney Baltiyskyy, Vice President of Public Policy and Advocacy, YMCA of San Diego County and Tijuana River Coalition Facilitator (nbcsandiego.com)

What’s next

The Binational Executive Oversight Committee will be formed to track progress and unblock any stalled projects related to the five-pillar plan.

The takeaway

This comprehensive, binational plan represents a significant step forward in addressing the longstanding Tijuana River pollution crisis. By aligning stakeholders on both sides of the border, securing reliable funding, and establishing clear governance and accountability, the region is poised to finally make meaningful progress in eliminating sewage flows, restoring water quality, and protecting public health.