Several federal officials and California congressional members gathered in San Diego to announce the long-awaited expansion and rehabilitation of the South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant near the U.S.- Mexico border to help minimize the cross-border sewage that has caused an environmental health crisis for people living and visiting near the border. This project plans to use $400 million in federal funding that the San Diego Congressional delegation secured to double the facility's capacity and with the updates made in Mexico, hope to prevent up to 90% of untreated wastewater from reaching the coast. The commissioner of the United States Section of the International Boundary and Water Commission (USIBWC), Dr. Maria-Elena Griner was joined by U.S. Representatives Juan Vargas (CA-52), Scott Peters (CA-50), and Sara Jacobs (CA-51) among others for the announcement that work will begin on the plant this year. According to a release by the USIBWC, the project will start this year and include setting up a bypass system for the headworks and grit facilities to perform an in-depth structural assessment of existing concrete structures and will be followed with concrete repairs in 2025. MORE: https://www.cbs8.com/article/news/local/cross-border-contamination/international-wastewater-treatment-plant-expansion-minimize-cross-border-sewage/509-6e499173-081f-4d5b-bf36-f333fc626fa4