Sponsors (5)
The bill directs sustained federal investment and binational coordination to reduce cross‑border sewage and improve water quality for U.S. border communities, trading higher federal and local fiscal commitments plus cross‑border and administrative complexity for measurable public‑health and environmental benefits.
Border community residents (Imperial Beach, Calexico, Mexicali-area, Tijuana/New River watershed) will see reduced sewage/stormwater pollution and improved water quality and public health through construction and operation of wastewater, stormwater, and remediation projects.
Local, Tribal, and state governments will receive federal grants and technical assistance that lower upfront planning and construction costs for water infrastructure, easing local financing burdens.
Communities will gain increased water resilience through investments in water reuse, recycling, green infrastructure, and conservation practices that save water and support long-term supply reliability.
U.S. taxpayers will face increased federal spending (authorized ~$50 million/year for multiple years), raising budgetary costs and potential pressure on federal priorities.
Local governments, utilities, and ratepayers may bear ongoing operations, maintenance, and cost‑share obligations for projects, creating long-term fiscal pressures on communities with limited budgets.
Funding and activities that include projects located in Mexico may be controversial to some U.S. taxpayers, reduce funds available for strictly domestic projects, and require added oversight of cross‑border expenditures.
Based on analysis of 10 sections of legislative text.
Creates an EPA border water infrastructure program to fund and support drinking water, wastewater, stormwater, reuse, and binational projects within 100 km of the U.S.–Mexico border and empowers IBWC to build and operate priority works.
Creates a U.S.–Mexico border water infrastructure program at the Environmental Protection Agency to fund and provide technical help for drinking water, wastewater, stormwater, water reuse, and green‑infrastructure projects within 100 kilometers of the international border. Authorizes the International Boundary and Water Commission (through the Secretary of State and the Commissioner) to study, design, construct, operate, and maintain priority projects in the Tijuana and New River watersheds, and permits binational agreements and use of available program funds for projects in Mexico when they meet specified plans and approvals. Directs the EPA to set eligibility rules, prioritize projects that protect public health and the environment, coordinate with the North American Development Bank and other federal/state/local/tribal partners (including DHS and IBWC), and require projects to meet legal, permitting, and financing conditions; preserves existing IBWC authorities under current law.
Introduced July 10, 2025 by Juan Vargas · Last progress July 10, 2025