Latest news with #NationalWaterPlan
Yahoo
17-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Imperial Beach leaders call for action on Tijuana River sewage crisis
SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — Imperial Beach city leaders are calling for more federal accountability and legislative actions to address the ongoing Tijuana River pollution. In a four to one vote, the city council approved a resolution Wednesday night that lists several priorities to help solve the public health crisis. Mayor Paloma Aguirre was the only dissenting vote. The resolution, spearheaded by Councilmember Mitch McKay, is largely symbolic as Imperial Beach has no jurisdiction over any of the actions, but it intends to send a message to the federal government, as well as state and local partners, about possible next steps. Deadly crash near SDSU prompts temporary shutdown of I-8 east 'We think Mexico wants to be good neighbors. But on the same token, if we're not enforcing the laws or the rules and they don't see it as necessary or there's any incentive to do it, maybe they're not going to do it,' said McKay. The resolution urges Congress to adopt legislation that strengthens enforcement of international water and environmental treaty obligations, and hold Mexico accountable for failing to control transboundary pollution in the Tijuana River. It calls for the acceleration of the implementation by the International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC) of the design and construction of the Tijuana River Diversion project to capture and treat transboundary flows in the river, as well as the acceleration of the implementation by IBWC of a permanent trash capture system for the main Tijuana River channel. The resolution also strongly opposes the construction of a 50-million-gallon-per-day (MGD) desalination plant in Playas de Rosarito as part of Mexico's National Water Plan, unless Mexico completes the wastewater recycling projects identified in IBWC Treaty Minute 328 anddemonstrates sufficient capacity and funding to provide wastewater treatment for any new potable water deliveries. The resolution asks Congress to consider passing statutory enforcement requirements to regulate or restrict the export of potable water into the City of Tijuana, Mexico during any health-related threat(s) declared by the County of San Diego (DEH). According to the resolution, Tijuana depends on the U.S. for 90% of its water imports. The council also decided to amend the resolution to request that Congress consider restrictions could also include limited commercial crossing activity at U.S. ports of entry during the aforementioned declared health threats. Other approved amendments urge California and the federal government to declare states of emergencies in relation to the sewage crisis. 'Commercial is where the biggest money is. We don't want to hurt the individuals. We don't want to hurt those who are coming to work in our country or those coming to shop,' said District 2 Councilmember Jack Fisher. While Mayor Aguirre expressed support for the majority of the actions in the resolution, she expressed concerns over how language related to crossing activity would be perceived in relation to immigration. Some residents worry about the possible economic impacts that could have. 'Limiting cross border activity even temporarily would have serious impact repercussions for our region,' said Chula Vista Chamber of Commerce CEO, Marcy Weaver. The resolution additionally directs SANDAG to continue to advocate for potential funding sources from the Mexican share of the toll revenues to offset the detrimental impacts of the transportation, trade and population nexus being created at Otay Mesa East Port of Entry. It also requests President Trump consider initiating an executive order requiring such near-termactions with enforcement, as necessary, by all Federal Entities and departments, including but not limited to: Department of State, EPA and the Department of the Navy. 'Lee Zeldin is coming to town next week and we're asking him to take a look at this as well, and say 'hey are there things we're missing?' Are there things that are already in place that we should be doing that can help this problem?' asked McKay. EPA Administrator Zeldin will visit San Diego on Tuesday, saying on 'X' Wednesday that his visit is meant, 'to ramp up efforts to permanently end decades of raw sewage entering the U.S. from Mexico.' He also said, 'A comprehensive plan must IMMEDIATELY and URGENTLY be deployed to stop this contamination coming from across the border.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Jordan News
17-03-2025
- Science
- Jordan News
"Water" Signs Memorandum of Understanding with the National Center for Agricultural Research to Enhance Research and Innovation
The Ministry of Water and Irrigation, the Water Authority, and the National Center for Agricultural Research have signed a joint Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). اضافة اعلان The MoU aims to establish a specialized research station in the Deir Alla – Tal al-Mantah area, with the goal of improving the sustainability of water resources and enhancing their use in agriculture. A grant of 200,000 Jordanian Dinars has been allocated under the Climate Change Adaptation Program to implement the construction of the agricultural research station, which will improve the efficiency of reclaimed water use and promote environmental sustainability. The MoU was signed by Dr. Jihad Al-Mahamid, Secretary-General of the Ministry of Water and Irrigation, and Engineer Wael Al-Dweiri, Secretary-General of the Water Authority, while Dr. Khaled Abu Hamour signed on behalf of the National Center. Dr. Jihad Al-Mahamid, Secretary-General of the Ministry of Water and Irrigation, emphasized that this MoU represents an important step toward developing innovative solutions for climate change adaptation. He pointed out that scientific research is a cornerstone for achieving sustainability in the water sector. For his part, Engineer Wael Al-Dweiri, Secretary-General of the Water Authority, praised this cooperation, stressing that the research station will contribute to improving the quality of reclaimed water and enhancing its use in agricultural fields. This will benefit local communities and support sustainable development. In the same context, the research station will provide an advanced environment to study and analyze the quality of reclaimed water, which will contribute to enhancing its safe and efficient use in agriculture. It will also play a pivotal role in attracting support for future research projects. Moreover, this MoU aligns with the Ministry's strategy to improve the infrastructure of wastewater treatment plants and increase the safe and effective use of reclaimed water, with a focus on raising environmental awareness about the importance of water reuse. The Water Authority commended the role of the Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation in supporting scientific research, emphasizing that this step is in line with the economic modernization vision, which focuses on strengthening strategic partnerships in vital sectors, including the water sector, to achieve sustainable growth and improve the efficiency of natural resource use. It also aligns with the National Water Plan, aimed at improving the management of reclaimed water and ensuring its reuse according to the highest environmental standards. This MoU is part of the Water Authority's efforts to develop the water sector and enhance its sustainability, achieving water security and supporting a more efficient and secure future for water resources.
Ammon
17-03-2025
- Science
- Ammon
Water Ministry sign MoU to establish specialized research satation in Deir Alla
Ammon News - The Ministry of Water and Irrigation, the Water Authority of Jordan (WAJ), and the National Agricultural Research Center (NARC) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to establish a specialized research station in the Deir Alla-Tal al-Mantah area. The initiative aims to strengthen research collaboration and foster innovation in water resources management. In a statement on Monday, the Ministry of Water and Irrigation said the MoU seeks to enhance water resource sustainability and optimize its use in agriculture. A JD 200,000 grant, provided under the Climate Change Adaptation Program, has been allocated for the development of the agricultural research station to improve the efficient utilization of reclaimed water and promote environmental sustainability. Secretary General of the Ministry of Water and Irrigation, Jihad Mahameed, underscored the significance of the agreement in advancing innovative solutions for climate change adaptation. He emphasized that scientific research is a cornerstone of sustainability in the water sector. WAJ Secretary General Wael Duwairi highlighted the research station's role in enhancing the quality of reclaimed water for agricultural use, benefiting local communities and contributing to sustainable development. He noted that the facility will serve as an advanced hub for analyzing reclaimed water quality and promoting its safe and effective application in agriculture. Additionally, the station is expected to attract funding for future research projects. Duwairi further stated that the MoU aligns with the Ministry's strategic objectives of upgrading wastewater treatment infrastructure and expanding the safe reuse of reclaimed water, while also fostering environmental awareness. The Water Authority acknowledged the support of the Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation in advancing scientific research. It stressed that the initiative is in line with the Economic Modernization Vision, which prioritizes strategic partnerships in key sectors, including water, to drive sustainable growth and enhance resource efficiency. Moreover, the project is consistent with the National Water Plan, which aims to improve reclaimed water management in compliance with the highest environmental standards.
