Border Water Quality Act

Full Title:
Border Water Quality Restoration and Protection Act

Summary#

This bill creates programs and a border infrastructure program to plan, fund, and coordinate projects to restore and protect water quality in two cross-border rivers: the Tijuana River and the New River. It directs the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to set up two Geographic Programs (one for the Tijuana River and one for the New River), name program directors, develop science-based action plans and priority project lists, and provide grants, technical assistance, and interagency agreements. The bill requires coordination with Federal, State, Tribal, local, and Mexican authorities, and allows cooperative agreements with entities such as the North American Development Bank. It establishes a United States–Mexico Border Water Infrastructure Program to give financial and technical help for eligible drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater projects near the border. The International Boundary and Water Commission (through the U.S. Section Commissioner) may design, build, operate, and maintain projects and may enter agreements with Mexico. The EPA must issue action plans within 1 year, update them every 5 years, and report to Congress regularly.

What it means for you#

  • Residents near the Tijuana River or the New River may see planning and projects aimed at reducing pollution, managing stormwater, and improving public health and habitat.
  • Local and State agencies, Tribal governments, nonprofit groups, and certain cross-border partners may be eligible for grants, technical help, or cooperative agreements.
  • Projects in Mexico that affect flows into the United States can be included if they meet the action plan and are approved.
  • The bill focuses on planning, coordination, and funding support; it does not itself impose new local regulations or immediate construction requirements.

Expenses#

  • The bill authorizes $50,000,000 per year for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2036 (to remain available until expended) to carry out the Tijuana River program (Title I).
  • The bill authorizes $50,000,000 per year for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2036 (to remain available until expended) to carry out the New River program (Title II).
  • For each program, up to 5 percent of funds may be used for salaries, expenses, and administration for grants.
  • The EPA may require payments under cooperative agreements to be deposited into the State and Tribal Assistance Grants account and may transfer amounts to the Commissioner as needed.
  • The bill requires the President to include estimated expenditures and proposed appropriations for these projects in the annual budget submission.
  • No publicly available information on total program costs beyond the annual authorizations above or on projected operations-and-maintenance cost totals.

Proponents' View#

  • The bill aims to restore water quality, protect public health, improve habitat, and reduce cross-border pollution by coordinating U.S. and Mexican efforts.
  • It emphasizes using science-based plans, natural and green infrastructure, water reuse and recycling, and targeted projects with measurable results.
  • It seeks to fill funding gaps, coordinate federal and non-federal funding, and provide technical support and grants to carry out priority projects identified in action plans.

Opponents' View#

No publicly available information.