Contract awarded to expand South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant

SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) -- A contract for the rehabilitation and expansion of the South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant has been awarded, the United States Section of the International Boundary and Water Commission announced Wednesday.

The first phase, which consists of $42.4 million, will go toward the design of the expanded facility.

"I'm glad to see the IBWC take this important step, which will allow them to put the more than $400 million my colleagues and I secured for the South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant to work for repairs and upgrades to the plant," said U.S. Representative Juan Vargas (CA-52) in an emailed statement to FOX 5/KUSI Wednesday.

Improving water quality in the South Bay has been an ongoing concern for residents and public officials for the past few decades due to sewage and other debris from Mexico ending up in the Tijuana River, which ultimately leads into the Pacific Ocean.

"Addressing the water quality of the estuary, beach closures, and public health concerns of South Bay residents is a priority for the IBWC," said Dr. Maria-Elena Giner, P.E., USIBWC Commissioner.

The full project is estimated to cost $600 million, according to the commission.

The recent contract was awarded to PCL Construction of Long Beach, and Stantec Consulting Services., Inc. in San Diego was chosen as the design firm.

The commission stated the plant's expansion, along with wastewater infrastructure improvements in Mexico, is "intended to eliminate up to 90% of untreated wastewater reaching the coast."

The design phase is expected to be completed within 20 months, and the maximum timeframe for construction is five years, the commission stated.

The project would include upgrading existing infrastructure to double the plant's current treatment capacity from 25 to 50 million gallons per day, with a peak flow capacity of 75, according to the commission.

The plant is expected to remain open during the expansion project.