Background

CESPT, one of the best-run water utilities in Mexico, is responsible for providing water and wastewater services in both Tijuana and Playas de Rosarito. In 2010 water coverage in Tijuana was estimated at 99% and wastewater collection at 91%. Wastewater treatment is
provided through four treatment plants: the San Antonio de los Buenos Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) with a 25 million gallon a day (mgd) capacity; the International WWTP in San Ysidro, CA (25 mgd); the Arturo Herrera WWTP (10.5 mgd) and the recently
completed La Morita WWTP (5.8 mgd).

As part of its master plan to extend wastewater collection and treatment services to 100% of the city’s population and achieve zero discharges of untreated sewage into rivers and streams, CESPT proposes extending wastewater services to the Alcatraces subdivision, on the south side of Tijuana. Currently residents do not have access to a sewer system and use latrines, septic tanks without drain fields and open-air ditches for wastewater disposal, posing a health risk for residents from direct contact with raw sewage, as well as an
environmental risk for contamination of groundwater and surface water. An estimated 733 households in this subdivision are generating approximately 8.7 liters per second (lps) or 198,360 gallons per day (gd) of wastewater that is not being disposed of properly.

Description

The project consists of constructing a sewer system by installing approximately 10,118 meters (33,200 ft) of sewer lines and a subcollector. Wastewater collected in the project area will be treated at the Rosarito Norte wastewater treatment plant, which has sufficient capacity to handle the additional flows. Treated effluent will be discharged into the Pacific Ocean via Reforma Creek.

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 198,600 gallons a day of wastewater will be collected and treated prior to its eventual discharge into the Pacific Ocean.