Status Report on the Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Program for the U.S.-Mexico Borderlands

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. Through the success of cooperative efforts between the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Office of Water, the National Water Commission of Mexico, the binational International Boundary and Water Commission, the Border Environmentl Cooperation Commission and the North American Development Bank, much has been accomplished along both sides of the border. However, much remains to be done in order to ensure a safe and healthy environment for those living in the border area that depend on its water resources. This status report explores the remaining needs and identifies what has been accomplished. No one organization can achieve the results needed in this binational environment, but EPA is proud to be a member of the team that has created a positive cooperative effort and has demonstrated results. The Agency anticipates continuing to participate in these joint efforts in order to achieve its mission and fulfull its responsibilities to the people of the border area.