Background

CESPT is responsible for providing water and wastewater services in both Tijuana and Playas de Rosarito. In 2008, water coverage in Tijuana was estimated at 96% and wastewater collection at 86%. However, because of the accelerated population growth in this border town, Tijuana’s water and sewer systems require constant expansion and rehabilitation. CESPT has therefore undertaken a series of programs and projects to maintain and expand its system, including the development of a 20-year water and wastewater master plan.

To increase wastewater collection service coverage, CESPT is proposing a project to extend its sewer systems to two subdivisions in the coastal area of Tijuana currently without service. Residents whose homes are not connected to the wastewater collection system use latrines, cesspools and open-air ditches for wastewater disposal, posing a risk for contamination of groundwater resources, as well as a health risk from direct contact
with raw sewage. An estimated 2,705 residents in these areas are generating approximately 5.5 liters per second (lps) or 125,500 gallons a day of wastewater (mgd) of wastewater that is not collected or treated.

Description

This project consists of expanding the wastewater collection system to the unserved areas of “Granjas La Esperanza” and “El Monte”, by installing approximately 13,262 meters (8 miles) of sewer lines.

The wastewater collected in Granjas La Esperanza will be conveyed to the San Antonio de los Buenos Treatment Plant, while the wastewater from the El Monte area will be treated in the new Tecolote-La Gloria plant, which is expected to be completed during 2009. With this project access to wastewater collection services will be provided to approximately 2,705 residents through an estimated 644 new sewer hookups. An estimated 5.5 lps of wastewater will be collected and treated prior to being discharged into the Pacific Ocean.

Benefits

This project will reduce environmental and health hazards associated with inadequate sewage disposal, thus providing a cleaner healthier environment for local residents. Specifically, an estimated 5.5 lps of wastewater will be collected and treated prior to being discharged into the Pacific Ocean. The project will also improve air quality by eliminating odors from existing cesspools and open discharges of untreated wastewater.