Senator Tim Sheehy from Montana has raised serious concerns about the environmental impact of raw sewage being dumped into the Tijuana River by Mexico. In a letter addressed to Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, Sheehy highlighted the health risks posed to local residents and U.S. military personnel who conduct training in the affected waters.
Sheehy pointed out that the ongoing discharge of sewage has been making thousands of Americans sick each year, including Navy SEALs and Marine special forces. He cited a report from February 2025 by the Department of Defense, which warned that up to 75 percent of water training exercises at Naval Amphibious Base Coronado might need to be canceled or relocated due to high levels of bacterial contamination.
The International Boundary and Water Commission revealed that Mexico is dumping about 5 million gallons of sewage daily into the Tijuana River, which flows into the U.S. and can reach the Pacific Ocean. This situation has been worsening, and Sheehy emphasized that it is jeopardizing national security and the health of U.S. troops.
Local leaders echo Sheehy’s concerns, stating that the toxic waste creates dangerous environmental conditions for residents. San Diego County Supervisor Jim Desmond noted that the sewage contains harmful substances like E. coli and arsenic, leading to health issues among residents and even affecting pets.
In response to the crisis, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin plans to visit a local treatment facility in San Diego to assess the situation. He described the sewage issue as a long-standing human health crisis that has affected military personnel and local communities for decades.
The urgency of the matter has prompted calls for immediate action from the Mexican government to stop the flow of toxic waste into U.S. waters. Sheehy and other officials are advocating for stronger measures to protect both public health and national security from this ongoing environmental threat.