U.S. International Boundary and Water Commission

#USIBWC UPDATE: The Mexican pump failure and transboundary flow that occurred at Stewart's Drain on March 14 & 15 are NOT responsible for hydrogen sulfide odors in the area. No flow reached the Tijuana River. For more information about odors, we refer you to @sdapcd & @SanDiegoCounty. @EPA @SDCountyHHSA

The #USIBWC reports the following on South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant (SBIWTP) in #SanDiegoCA A pump failure at Mexican Pump Station PB1 caused excess transboundary flows at Stewart’s Drain on March 14 & 15. About 25,235 gallons bypassed the collector on March 14 (8 p.m. PDT lasting 1:15 hrs.) and 20,115 gallons on March 15 (6 p.m. PDT lasting 1:30 hrs.). USIBWC deployed 3 portable pumps at Stewart’s Drain for transboundary flow prevention and response. SBIWTP received about 30 Million Gallons per Day during peak hours. River levels did not increase; weekend transboundary flows stayed in the local area, about 150 ft from the collector, and did not reach the Tijuana River Channel. @Cal_OES was notified of both events. No impacts to the plant have been reported.

Last week, the @NMStateEngineer hosted the Rio Grande Compact Commission meeting with #USIBWC, @USIndianAffairs, @USACEHQ, @USGS, @usbr, and @USFWS. The USIBWC participates to strengthen coordination on river operations, drought impacts, water deliveries, ecosystem needs, and basin planning. These meetings help us improve data sharing, address challenges early, and support reliable water delivery for communities, agriculture, and habitat along the Rio Grande. Under the Trump administration, the USIBWC remains committed to ensuring fair water apportionment, ending transboundary sewage, and supporting reliable water deliveries for American farmers. Working together strengthens resource management for the communities that depend on the #RioGrande.

While meeting with @Repcuellar last week, Commissioner @USIBWCCMcIntosh discussed cost‑effective partnerships between the #USIBWC and federal agencies on shared border infrastructure projects. The conversation also highlighted the agency’s critical role in managing water resources and infrastructure along the U.S.–Mexico border. They reviewed key USIBWC priorities, including flood control, water allocation, sediment management, and sanitation projects that directly support communities and border operations along the Rio Grande and Colorado River. The USIBWC remains dedicated to working with our partners to ensure Texas border water challenges are addressed and that communities along the river receive the support and resources they rely on.

@USIBWCCMcIntosh @TheUSA @USDAForeignAg @USDA @SecRollins A special thank you to @marcorubio and the @StateDept for their leadership in negotiations with Mexico water deliveries to American communities.

On Wednesday, Commissioner @USIBWCCMcIntosh met with Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Luke Lindberg @TheUSA of @USDAForeignAg. Commissioner thanked @USDA and @SecRollins for their outstanding support in helping assess the best timing and sources of water deliveries from Mexico. Under the Trump administration, the #USIBWC remains committed to ensuring fair water apportionment and reliable water deliveries to the #Americanfarmer, supported by close collaboration with the partners who help drive this mission forward.

Commissioner @USIBWCCMcIntosh traveled to Washington this week for a series of meetings with key leaders to discuss water delivery obligations, cross border coordination, and infrastructure challenges impacting communities along the U.S. - Mexico border. During this week’s visit, Commissioner McIntosh met with @RubenGallego to provide an update on the #USIBWC’s plans to assume operations and maintenance of a critical wastewater pipeline serving the Nogales, Arizona area. The discussion covered the importance of maintaining reliable cross border wastewater infrastructure and protecting public health along the international boundary.

This morning, I met with Commissioner W.C. Chad McIntosh of the @usibwc. We discussed the agency’s critical role in managing water resources and infrastructure along the U.S.-Mexico Border. We reviewed IBWC’s priorities, including flood control, water allocation, sediment removal, and sanitation projects that directly impact communities and border operations along the Rio Grande and Colorado River. I’ve supported appropriations to strengthen IBWC’s capacity, including funding for construction, operations, levee rehabilitation, and environmental oversight. These investments are essential to maintaining safe and reliable water infrastructure while supporting border security coordination. I remain committed to working with federal and binational partners to ensure our border communities have the resources needed to address water challenges, protect infrastructure, and support long-term economic and environmental stability.

Productive meeting last week in El Paso, Texas with the Binational Rio Grande Policy Work Group - reviewing basin conditions, Mexico’s Rio Grande water deliveries to the US, and updates from our technical teams. Ongoing coordination with @TCEQ, @cilamexico, and other partners is advancing work on modeling, salinity studies, and new conservation efforts. Under the Trump administration, the #USIBWC remains committed to ensuring that communities receive their fair share of #RioGrande water and #AmericanWaterUsers benefit from high‑quality, reliable water resources. Follow us on Facebook: @ U.S International Boundary & Water Commission

USIBWC Commissioner @USIBWCCMcIntosh hosted Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, Commissioner Tonya R. Miller, and her senior staff for a tour of USIBWC infrastructure that delivers #RioGrande water to #TexasFarmers and communities. The group visited American Dam, Boundary Marker No. 1, the American Canal Lower Reach Replacement Project, and International Dam. #USIBWC and @TCEQ continue to work closely together to make sure Texas receives all the water it’s owed under international agreements.

Last week, @USIBWCCMcIntosh met with several members of Congress and their staff to highlight the critical role that operations and maintenance play in protecting communities along the U.S.–Mexico border. Discussions covered sediment and vegetation removal on the Upper Rio Grande, maintaining sanitation infrastructure, strengthening Texas water systems, and ongoing efforts to reduce public health risks from cross-border wastewater. Ensuring reliable, well-maintained infrastructure remains essential to our mission of public safety and water security. Thank you @RepEscobar, @RepScottPeters, @RepMonicaDLC staff, @repdarrellissa staff, @RepTonyGonzales staff, @RepMikeLevin, and @SenAdamSchiff and many more visits are coming! Follow us on Facebook! @ U.S. International Boundary & Water Commission

Today is my third visit to the San Diego area in the last 10 months. EPA has been working EVERY DAY at implementing the permanent, urgent 100% solution to the decades old Tijuana River raw sewage emergency. The agreement we signed with Mexico last year includes reduced timelines and additional necessary Mexico side projects (at no added US taxpayer cost). As these project are completed in 2026 and 2027 (with one project slated for 2028), Americans will be finally crossing the long awaited finish line of this crisis and nightmare.

Routine Water Release Notice for Amistad Dam: The #USIBWC will conduct a controlled water release from #AmistadDam beginning early Sunday, March 1, 2026. These releases help sustain #SouthTexas communities, including municipal users and #AmericanFarmers along the #RioGrande. During this controlled release, the Rio Grande downstream will rise quickly and water levels may change without warning. These changes are a normal part of dam operations during this event, but they can create rapidly shifting river conditions. We encourage everyone near the river to stay aware of changing conditions and take any precautions needed to stay safe. @FEMARegion6 @CBPSouthTexas @USACEHQ @TDEM @TxDPSSouth

The #USIBWC has published a newsletter highlighting some of our biggest accomplishments in 2025! From San Diego to the Gulf Coast, the hard-working employees of the USIBWC have been busy protecting Americans from exposure to Mexican sewage, ensuring fair allocations of water from the Colorado and Rio Grande Rivers, efficiently and effectively maintaining and operating critical flood infrastructure, and reducing border flood hazards. You can read all about it here: ibwc.gov/wp-content/upl…

In 2022, the @usibwc and @cilamexico partnered with TWF to launch a biennial symposium for stakeholders of the Rio Grande/Río Bravo. Key insights from the 2025 symposium are now available in this conference report: bit.ly/binationalrepo… #riograndejointventure

#SanDiegoCA, South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant (SBIWTP) Public Notice: The #USIBWC reports the SBIWTP is continuing to treat sewage from Tijuana at full capacity during the current heavy rains. The USIBWC is in direct communication with Tijuana to make sure they operate their pumping system at maximum efficiency and alert us if conditions change. The public may notice heavier than normal flow in the Tijuana River during the rainy weather. The SBIWTP is averaging about 35 Million Gallons per Day (MGD), with peak flows reaching around 50 MGD during high-flow periods in the evening, an increase from last year. Information about the status of San Diego beaches can be found at: sdbeachinfo.com. Not signed up for updates? Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news in your area. shorturl.at/eAxKz. Don’t forget to turn on notifications here on X for quick alerts!

🇺🇸 Happy Birthday George Washington! Celebrating the strength, leadership, and vision of our nation’s first President, a legacy that inspires progress every day. From levee and dam maintenance to operating wastewater treatment plants, tackling transboundary sewage, and more, we work to protect communities and vital water resources. Happy #PresidentsDay #GeorgeWashingtonBirthday

.@Interior is moving forward with the Post-2026 NEPA process to finalize operating guidelines for Colorado River reservoirs by Oct. 1, 2026. While the seven Basin States have not reached full consensus, the department cannot delay action. Meeting this deadline is essential to ensure certainty and stability for the Colorado River system beyond 2026. “Negotiation efforts have been productive; we have listened to every state’s perspective and have narrowed the discussion by identifying key elements and issues necessary for an agreement. We believe that a fair compromise with shared responsibility remains within reach,” said @SecretaryBurgum. “I want to thank the governors of the seven Basin States for their constructive engagement and commitment to collaboration. We remain dedicated to working with them and their representatives to identify shared solutions and reduce litigation risk. Additionally, we will continue consultations with Tribal Nations and coordinate with Mexico to ensure we are prepared for Water Year 2027.” Prolonged drought and declining inflows to Lake Powell underscore the ongoing challenges. The Colorado River provides water to 40 million people, supports 5.5 million acres of farmland, generates hydroelectric power for 700,000 homes, and sustains tribal nations, wildlife refuges and recreation areas. For more information, visit: usbr.gov/newsroom/news-… #ColoradoRiver #ColoradoRiverBasin #Interior #Reclamation