California Invests $48 Million in Transformative New River Improvement Project

Calexico CA - In a strategic move to combat water pollution, the state of California has allocated $48 million to the New River Improvement Project, a comprehensive initiative aimed at revitalizing the heavily polluted New River. The project targets the stretch of the river that traverses from Mexico through the city of Calexico to the Salton Sea.

The New River has long been notorious as one of the most polluted rivers in the nation, posing serious threats to public health and impeding local economic development. The predominantly Latino community in the project’s vicinity ranks high in environmental impacts, pollution burden, and impaired waters, according to CalEnviroScreen.

Comprising three key components, the New River Improvement Project focuses on:

1. Trash Screen Construction: A cutting-edge trash screen will be installed at the International Boundary with Mexico to capture and manage debris from municipal, agricultural, and industrial sources.

2. River Diversion and Encasement: Downstream of the International Boundary to a point beyond the eastern boundary of Calexico, the river will be diverted and encased, steering clear of densely populated areas to shield communities from pollutants.

3. Pump-Back System: Treated wastewater from the existing Calexico Wastewater Treatment Plant will be directed into the New River channel near the diversion and encasement structure, contributing to improved water quality.

State officials, including California Secretary for Environmental Protection Yana Garcia and California Secretary for Natural Resources Wade Crowfoot, highlight the project as a collaborative effort between local and state partners. The aim is to enhance environmental health, particularly in one of California’s most vulnerable populations.

The New River Improvement Project is a testament to sustained community advocacy, collaborative partnerships, and the commitment of the state of California to address urgent environmental challenges. Assemblymember Eduardo Garcia, a driving force behind the project, sees it as a community triumph and a milestone in environmental justice. The project is slated for completion by the end of 2024, promising positive changes for the health and well-being of the Calexico community and the broader environment.