U.S. Section of the International Boundary and Water Commission

"The USIBWC, our Congressional supporters, the Department of State, the Environmental Protection Agency, and other federal, state, and local stakeholders, as well as the residents of this area, have been waiting for this moment for a long time." That's how Dr. Maria-Elena Giner, P.E., Commissioner of the U.S. Section of the International Boundary and Water Commission, described the launch on October 29, 2024, of the rehabilitation and expansion of the South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant (SBIWTP) in San Diego, Calif. More than a hundred guests from the United States and Mexico, as well as members of the media, attended the ceremony at the plant on a weather-perfect day that seemed to symbolize the upbeat feelings of many of those present that this $600 million project will eventually mean cleaner water and reopened beaches. The project, funded jointly between the USIBWC and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, will double the plant's capacity, with the aim of drastically reducing transboundary sewage flows from Baja California, Mexico. The first phase, in the amount of $42.4 million, covers design for the full scope of the rehabilitation and expansion of SBIWTP. The USIBWC awarded the contract to PCL Construction of Long Beach, Calif. PCL selected Stantec Consulting Services, Inc., of San Diego, as the design firm. “Clean water is essential to vibrant, healthy communities. This project represents a big step toward a clean water future for the residents, businesses, and wildlife in and around San Diego,” said Bruno Pigott, Principal Deputy Assistant Administrator for Water at the U.S. EPA. The plant’s expansion, in combination with wastewater infrastructure improvements in Mexico under Minute 328, is intended to eliminate up to 90% of untreated wastewater reaching the coast. Learn more about this exciting development: https://lnkd.in/gUhuv6db

The U.S. Section of the International Boundary and Water Commission is proudly wearing pink to support #BreastCancerAwareness Month. From our offices in San Diego all the way to the Gulf Coast, we want to raise awareness, encourage early detection, and support the ongoing fight against this disease. #USIBWC #Pinktober #SupportTheCause

BRIDGING BORDERS AND TACKLING CHALLENGES: IBWC COMMISSIONERS LEAD THE WAY AT MEXICALI REGIONAL MEETING The IBWC Mexicali Regional Commission meeting on August 14-15, 2024, delved into several important binational issues, including implementation efforts under Minute 323 and the Salinity Policy Work Group created by Minute 330. U.S. Commissioner Dr. Maria-Elena Giner, P.E., and her Mexican counterpart, Adriana Reséndez Maldonado, worked closely during the meeting, underscoring their ongoing commitment to cross-border collaboration. Several Minute 323 projects valued at $20 million are still pending, with delays anticipated in their completion. Despite this, Mexico remains committed to fulfilling its water transfer obligations as outlined in the Minute 323 schedule. A future meeting of the Projects Work Group will further address these issues and determine the path forward. Regarding the Minute 330 Salinity Policy Work Group, the U.S. and Mexican Sections are actively developing the Terms of Reference, with $5 million allocated to address salinity concerns. An update was given on the Welton Mohawk drain, which is important for salinity control. The funding for the maintenance is provided by Bureau of Reclamation. Other water quality issues were discussed, specifically the challenges posed by transboundary flows in the Nogales Wash, which have led to elevated E. coli levels. Efforts to address these concerns are underway, with continuing discussions around wastewater treatment measures and necessary resources. The meeting also touched on infrastructure and boundary concerns. The ongoing discussions with U.S. Customs and Border Protection aim to address issues related to border infrastructure impacting the international boundary line. The Mexican Section also raised concerns about the condition of the Colorado River Group I and II levees, prompting plans for upcoming site visits to assess the situation further. Other topics discussed included New River sanitation and water quality, and emergency water deliveries to Tijuana, Mexico. Regional Commission Meetings are held four times a year by the IBWC in multiple regions along the border and focus on the issues and projects specifically related to that region. This allows for much more in-depth discussion, prioritization of issues and projects, and strategy development to address them. Coverage of these meetings can be found on the USIBWC website at https://lnkd.in/gg69cgCm. Click on the drop-down menu for "Regional Meetings."

The U.S. Section of the International Boundary and Water Commission is proudly wearing pink to support #BreastCancerAwareness Month. From our offices in San Diego all the way to the Gulf Coast, we want to raise awareness, encourage early detection, and support the ongoing fight against this disease. #USIBWC #Pinktober #SupportTheCause

On September 12, 2024, the U.S. and Mexican Sections of the International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC) and their partners gathered in El Paso, Texas, for a meeting of the Rio Grande Policy Work Group. Meeting participants reviewed Rio Grande basin conditions and discussed water deliveries under the 1944 Water Treaty.  The U.S. Section of the IBWC has been working shoulder to shoulder with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to try to bring reliability and predictability to Rio Grande water deliveries. #USIBWC #CILA #RioGrande #EnvironmentalStewardship #WaterManagement #CrossBorderCollaboration #SustainableSolutions #BorderRegion

The U.S. Section of the International Boundary and Water Commission (USIBWC) has awarded Arcadis, of Highlands Ranch, Colo., a $1,081,794 contract to develop a 20-Year Capital Plan. The plan will be used to assess long-term capital project requirements and establish funding of high priority projects in a timely and cost-effective manner. “By managing all of the components of our infrastructure, understanding the manpower resources needed, and planning for capital investments with an eye to the future, we are positioning this agency to successfully continue to serve communities along the U.S.-Mexico border proactively instead of reactively,” said Dr. Maria-Elena Giner, P.E., USIBWC Commissioner. “The Capital Plan lays a foundation for a strong approach to identify current deficiencies and future funding needs." More: https://bit.ly/3NPEhtb

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The U.S. Section of the International Boundary and Water Commission had the privilege recently of receiving swift water rescue training from the El Paso (Texas) Fire Department. This important instruction enhances our preparedness for water-related emergencies along the U.S.-Mexico border. Huge thanks to the professionals ensuring our team's safety and readiness! #SwiftWaterRescue #USIBWC #ElPasoFireDept #WaterSafety #EmergencyPreparedness #BorderSecurity #PublicSafety 

Let’s take a moment to reflect on our commitment to inclusivity. Are you ready to improve the world for individuals with disabilities and help remove obstacles they face in the workplace? Together, we can create an environment where everyone can thrive. Join us in celebrating diversity and promoting accessibility for all! #NDEAM #Inclusion #Diversity #Accessibility #Empowerment #IBWC #USIBWC #EEO #DEIA

Dr. Maria-Elena Giner, Commissioner of the U.S. Section of the International Boundary and Water Commission (USIBWC), recently hosted Rafael Foley, U.S. Consul General in Ciudad Juarez, for a tour of American Dam and International Boundary Marker No. 1 in El Paso, Texas. This visit highlights USIBWC's binational responsibilities maintaining critical infrastructure and the importance of cross-border partnerships. #USIBWC #BorderInfrastructure #Diplomacy #CrossBorderCollaboration #Juarez #AmericanDam #WaterManagement #InternationalRelations