In San Diego, California, the campaign for cleaner water has taken a definitive leap forward with the announcement of a substantial contract award by the United States Section of the International Boundary and Water Commission (USIBWC). In an official update by the USIBWC, a $42.4 million contract has been awarded to PCL Construction of Long Beach, California, marking the first phase in overhauling and enhancing the South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant (SBIWTP). This project aims to rehabilitate existing infrastructure and expand treatment capacity from 25 million gallons to 50 million gallons per day, with a peak capacity to handle up to 75 million gallons daily.
The move aims to significantly reduce the flow of untreated wastewater into coastal regions, aspiring to eliminate up to 90% of contamination. This initiative, part of a broader effort aligned with the Biden-Harris Administration’s priority for environmental infrastructure improvements, falls under Minute No. 328, a binational agreement addressing water quality challenges in the region. The partnership between the United States and Mexico is crucial, as the project development also involves parallel wastewater improvements in Mexico. Funding for the SBIWTP project is sourced from USIBWC's annual appropriations and supplemental funding from the current Administration. It is part of the mandate of the 2020 United States-Mexico-Canada Implementation Act.
Fulfillment of this initiative was further underscored by Representative Juan Vargas, who took to social media, stating, "Our communities can't wait. I'm glad to see the IBWC take this important step, which will allow them to put the more than $400 million my colleagues and I secured for the South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant to work for repairs and upgrades to the plant." He also reaffirmed his commitment to securing necessary resources "to combat pollution in the Tijuana River Valley, make sure Mexico does its part, and ensure our water, land, and air is safe for all."
The IBWC just announced that it awarded the contract for a project to double the capacity of the South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant! This will put the $400 million our Congressional delegation secured for the plant to work & help address Tijuana River pollution. pic.twitter.com/eTYKFiHjjb
— Rep. Juan Vargas (@RepJuanVargas) August 21, 2024
Under the contract's terms, PCL will commence the design phase, expected to be completed in 20 months, with Stantec Consulting Services, Inc. of San Diego taking the helm for the design work. The construction timeline is set at a maximum of five years. However, PCL anticipates potentially shortening this timeline by as much as 18 months by utilizing a progressive design-build method. This method promises to phase construction to meet project goals based on funding, shorten schedules, minimize costs, and assure quality by integrating construction expertise early on. Further estimates regarding the full project's costs and schedule will be released by the USIBWC when design work hits the 30% to 60% completion mark, facilitating early construction work in 2024.
