SAN DIEGO (Border Report) — A wastewater treatment plant being built six miles south of the border continues to be plagued by delays in construction and now, per a Border Report investigation, design flaws.
Originally, the facility was supposed to open last September, but five months later, its future remains in limbo.
A source familiar with the plant’s design says initial test-runs have failed due to the type of pumps set in place during construction.
He tells Border Report water pumps were installed instead of pumps required for mud, thick fluids and sediment.
The source says the plant won’t be able to process raw sewage until these flaws are corrected, something that could take months to finish.
“The fact that it’s delayed again, it’s a huge issue,” said Bethany Case with the Surfrider Foundation. “When this plant comes online it’s going to solve so much of the pollution, we will have so many more clean beach days.”
Case lives in the city of Imperial Beach just north of the border.
Most of its beaches have been closed for more than two years due to sewage pollution that flows in from Mexico.
“It continues to be frustrating to not be able to use this huge area of free recreation.”
In spite of delays, Case remains hopeful she and other residents will soon be able to use the beach and surf the waves.
“We’ve had set back after set back, but we just hope they will continue to fight to make sure construction is pushed through and that we have a solution,” said Case.
Exposure to tainted water, and even wet sand, can lead to rashes, infections and respiratory issues.
Studies have also shown raw sewage can be churned by the waves releasing dangerous toxins into the air making people sick miles away from the coastline.
“People on both sides of the border are suffering from this really horrible health issue,” said Case.
The construction work at the plant is being supervised by the state of Baja California and SEDENA, Mexico’s defense secretary.
Both have refused to comment on the delays and design flaws, they will only say the work will continue and expect the facility to be operational in a few months.
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