Region 6

U.S./Mexico Border

U.S./Mexico Border

The United States and Mexico share more than 2000 miles of common border. More than nine million people live in the border area, mostly in fifteen "sister city" pairs. The rapid increase in population and industrialization in the border cities has overwhelmed existing wastewater treatment, drinking water supply, and solid waste disposal facilities. Untreated and industrial sewage often flows north into the U.S. from Tijuana, Mexicali, and Nogales, and into the Rio Grande.

Some 300,000 people on the U.S. side of the border also lack safe drinking water, wastewater collection and treatment systems, or adequate solid waste disposal facilities. They live in unincorporated areas called "colonias." Over 1,200 colonias have been identified in Texas and New Mexico. EPA grants to the states, matched by state resources, provide for construction of wastewater and drinking water facilities in these communities. Thus far, $320 million has been appropriated by Congress for this program. More >

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EPA launches new border program Web site

EPA has launched a new Web site providing the public with current environmental news and information on the U.S.-Mexico Border 2012 program.

Visit the new border Web site.

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Matamoros project improves border environment

The first step in eliminating raw sewage discharges into the Rio Grande from Matamoros, Tamaulipas, Mexico was taken this summer by EPA and Mexican agencies when construction of wastewater Lift Station Number 1 was completed. The station is part of the $76 million first phase of a major water project that will reduce health and environmental hazards on both sides of the U.S-Mexico border.

This phase covers about a third of the city and will be completed by 2008. It includes construction of a new wastewater treatment plant, main sewage lines and four more lift stations, rehabilitation of the drinking water treatment plant, construction of raw water storage lagoons, elevated storage tanks for treated water, new pumping stations with water mains, and the installation of water meters. These measures will produce treated wastewater for agricultural irrigation, and improved drinking water quality and conservation.

The cleaner, more efficient wastewater and drinking water systems will directly benefit about 400,000 Matamoros area residents, U.S. residents in the Brownsville area and the environment down the Rio Grande. The $400 million project, providing new systems for the entire city, is scheduled for completion by 2014.

The binational Border Environment Cooperation Commission (BECC) assists with project development. Funds are administered by the North American Development Bank (NADB), a joint U.S.-Mexican organization. Mexico pays 50 percent of the project cost.

"This project is an example of improving the environment and public health through collaborative efforts by U.S. and Mexican agencies, and is an important first step in cleaning up that part of our joint border," said EPA project manager Gilbert Tellez, PhD, P.E.

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The Good Neighbor Environmental Board

The Good Neighbor Environmental Board is an independent federal advisory committee. Its mission is to advise the President and Congress of the United States on good neighbor practices along the U.S. border with Mexico. Its recommendations are focused on environmental infrastructure needs within the U.S. states contiguous to Mexico. Good Neighbor does not carry out any specific border program. Rather its role is to step back as an expert, concerned observer and analyze the big picture when it comes to the problems the border region faces, as well as the opportunities at hand. More >

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American Heritage Rivers

The heart of the American Heritage Rivers initiative is locally driven and designed solutions. The federal role is confined to fostering community empowerment, while providing focused attention and resources to help river communities restore their environment, revitalize their economy, renew their culture and preserve their history. More >

Binational Study Regarding the Presence of Toxic Substances in the Rio Grande/Río Bravo and its Tributaries Along the Boundary Portion Between the United States and México (10 MB PDF file)

American Heritage Rivers Keystone Project

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Status Report on the Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Program for the U.S./Mexico Border

In the Mexican Border region, pollutants from both countries are entering shared waterways due to inadequately treated sewage. This, along with inadequately treated drinking water, is impacting the health of border residents as well as degrading environmental quality. The United States and Mexico have developed a cooperative program along the international boundary to address these issues. More >