Trump Admin Tackles Mexican Sewage Crisis Threatening Navy SEALs

Paul Riverbank, 4/23/2025Mexican sewage crisis threatens Navy SEALs' health and training, sparking urgent environmental action.

The San Diego-Tijuana Border Crisis: When Environmental Disasters Meet National Security

Something's rotten in Southern California – literally. For decades, raw sewage has been flowing from Tijuana into San Diego's coastal waters, creating what many consider an unprecedented environmental catastrophe. Now, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin is taking a fresh crack at this festering problem.

I've covered border issues for twenty years, but the numbers here are shocking: since last year alone, more than 31 billion gallons of untreated waste have crossed the border. Let that sink in. We're not just talking about sewage – this toxic cocktail includes industrial runoff, household garbage, and God knows what else.

What makes this crisis particularly noteworthy is its impact on national security. Navy SEAL training operations, a cornerstone of America's special operations capabilities, have been severely compromised. Between 2019 and 2023, over a thousand SEAL candidates reported severe illness after training in these waters. One veteran I spoke with, Jeff Gum, put it bluntly: "This isn't just an environmental issue – it's threatening our military readiness."

The human toll extends beyond our service members. Take the case of Rep. Mike Levin's nephew-in-law, a SEAL trainee who developed cancer in his twenties after exposure to these contaminated waters. These aren't just statistics; they're real people paying a devastating price.

Zeldin's recent 90-minute meeting with Mexican officials might represent a turning point. The new Mexican administration seems genuinely committed to addressing the crisis – though we've heard such promises before. They've completed three infrastructure projects, including upgrades to the San Antonio de los Buenos treatment plant. But as Zeldin notes, piecemeal solutions won't cut it.

Some experts are drawing parallels to the Camp Lejeune water contamination scandal. Kate Monroe of VetComm suggests we might be looking at a similar scale of government liability – potentially $21-25 billion. That's a steep price for decades of environmental negligence.

The White House is paying attention. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt recently reaffirmed the administration's commitment to clean water, though concrete federal action remains to be seen.

Mexican Environment Secretary Alicia Bárcena describes recent negotiations as "very productive." But for residents of Imperial Beach, where Mayor Paloma Aguirre witnesses this "horrendous environmental disaster" firsthand, diplomatic niceties mean little without tangible results.

The path forward requires more than just infrastructure improvements. It demands sustained bilateral cooperation, significant financial investment, and most importantly, political will. As someone who's watched this crisis unfold over decades, I can say this might be our best chance yet to solve it – if we don't waste it.

Looking ahead, the success of these initiatives will depend largely on follow-through from both governments. The stakes couldn't be higher: public health, military readiness, and environmental integrity all hang in the balance. This isn't just about clean water – it's about national security, public health, and ultimately, our ability to solve complex binational challenges.

The San Diego-Tijuana Border Crisis: When Environmental Disasters Meet National SecuritySomething's rotten in Southern California – literally. For decades, raw sewage has been flowing from Tijuana into San Diego's coastal waters, creating what many consider an unprecedented environmental catastrophe. Now, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin is taking a fresh crack at this festering problem.I've covered border issues for twenty years, but the numbers here are shocking: since last year alone, more than 31 billion gallons of untreated waste have crossed the border. Let that sink in. We're not just talking about sewage – this toxic cocktail includes industrial runoff, household garbage, and God knows what else.What makes this crisis particularly noteworthy is its impact on national security. Navy SEAL training operations, a cornerstone of America's special operations capabilities, have been severely compromised. Between 2019 and 2023, over a thousand SEAL candidates reported severe illness after training in these waters. One veteran I spoke with, Jeff Gum, put it bluntly: "This isn't just an environmental issue – it's threatening our military readiness."The human toll extends beyond our service members. Take the case of Rep. Mike Levin's nephew-in-law, a SEAL trainee who developed cancer in his twenties after exposure to these contaminated waters. These aren't just statistics; they're real people paying a devastating price.Zeldin's recent 90-minute meeting with Mexican officials might represent a turning point. The new Mexican administration seems genuinely committed to addressing the crisis – though we've heard such promises before. They've completed three infrastructure projects, including upgrades to the San Antonio de los Buenos treatment plant. But as Zeldin notes, piecemeal solutions won't cut it.Some experts are drawing parallels to the Camp Lejeune water contamination scandal. Kate Monroe of VetComm suggests we might be looking at a similar scale of government liability – potentially $21-25 billion. That's a steep price for decades of environmental negligence.The White House is paying attention. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt recently reaffirmed the administration's commitment to clean water, though concrete federal action remains to be seen.Mexican Environment Secretary Alicia Bárcena describes recent negotiations as "very productive." But for residents of Imperial Beach, where Mayor Paloma Aguirre witnesses this "horrendous environmental disaster" firsthand, diplomatic niceties mean little without tangible results.The path forward requires more than just infrastructure improvements. It demands sustained bilateral cooperation, significant financial investment, and most importantly, political will. As someone who's watched this crisis unfold over decades, I can say this might be our best chance yet to solve it – if we don't waste it.Looking ahead, the success of these initiatives will depend largely on follow-through from both governments. The stakes couldn't be higher: public health, military readiness, and environmental integrity all hang in the balance. This isn't just about clean water – it's about national security, public health, and ultimately, our ability to solve complex binational challenges.