U.S. and Mexico sign Minute 333, outlining Mexico’s commitments to infrastructure projects aimed at reducing cross-border pollution.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
The Trump administration announced a new agreement, Minute 333, designed to address the longstanding issue of toxic waste and raw sewage flowing from Tijuana, Mexico, into the Tijuana River and Southern California beaches. The agreement follows a $630 million U.S. investment in previous efforts that did not fully resolve the problem.
Background on the Tijuana River Pollution
The Tijuana River has been a source of transboundary pollution for decades, carrying raw sewage, trash, and stormwater into the Pacific Ocean. According to the EPA, approximately 50 million gallons of mostly untreated wastewater flow daily from the San Antonio de los Buenos Creek in Tijuana. During wet-weather events, this volume increases to an average of 109 million gallons per day.
The contaminated water contains fecal coliforms, drug-resistant bacteria, heavy metals (mercury, cadmium, hexavalent chromium), and banned pesticides like DDT, as reported in a 2020 CBS News investigation. These pollutants have adverse effects on public health, beach water quality, marine life, and U.S. border operations, including impacts on U.S. Military and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) personnel.
Details of Minute 333
The new agreement, Minute 333, was signed by EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin and Mexico’s Alicia Bárcena Ibarra in July 2025. It is based on a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that outlines Mexico’s commitments to:
- Divert treated wastewater from the Tijuana River to an upstream site.
- Conduct engineering and financial feasibility studies for an ocean outfall in Tijuana.
- Construct and maintain a sediment basin at Matadero Canyon (also known as Smuggler’s Gulch) before the next rainy season.
The International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC) stated that the project aligns with Mexico’s obligations under the 1944 U.S.-Mexico Water Treaty.
Funding and Implementation
Unlike previous U.S.-funded efforts, Minute 333 does not require additional U.S. taxpayer funding. Instead, Mexico is responsible for securing funding and implementing the projects. The EPA described the agreement as a “historic milestone” toward resolving the Tijuana River sewage crisis, though it remains to be seen whether Mexico will fulfill its commitments.
Previous Efforts and Challenges
The U.S. has spent $630 million on prior attempts to mitigate the pollution, but the problem has persisted due to inadequate infrastructure and enforcement on the Mexican side. The EPA and IBWC have emphasized that Minute 333 represents a coordinated effort to finally address the issue, though skepticism remains given the historical challenges in cross-border pollution control.
According to Judicial Watch, the success of the agreement will depend on Mexico’s follow-through in funding and constructing the proposed infrastructure. If implemented, the projects could reduce contamination in the Tijuana River and Southern California coastal waters, but monitoring and enforcement will be critical to ensuring long-term compliance.
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