Let’s clean up the New River

After decades of seeking resolutions to the environmental mess that is the New River, Imperial Valley residents and authorities may be beginning to see light at the end of the tunnel.

Last week, state officials along with representatives with the city of Calexico, the Imperial Irrigation District and the county of Imperial signed an agreement that became the framework for the cleanup of what is considered the most polluted river in North America.

We are cautiously optimistic about the agreement, hoping authorities come through this time.

For years, state and local officials have been spending thousands of taxpayer dollars to analyze the pollution problem in the area.

After all that spending and discussion, the effort had been fruitless — until now.

According to all the parties involved, the agreement represents a significant step toward a final solution.

In the meantime, hundreds of residents in the area suffer daily from the river’s nauseating odor, which worsens during hot summers.

That’s just one issue. Residents in the area recently told us asthma attacks are sometimes provoked by the chemicals emitting from the New River.

Previously, some have requested studies examining whether the river was causing cancer.

While speaking to these residents, we, too, couldn’t ignore the thick stench coming from the river.

According to the agreement, the parties involved will build a trash-collecting screen where the river crosses the border.

The water coming into the United States will be treated by the Calexico water treatment plant and a wetlands project that is part of the project.

State and local authorities will also build bicycle and pedestrian paths for recreational purposes.

These plans sound promising for a community that has struggled for environmental justice.

Mexicali has done cosmetic work around the New River on its side of the border. Efforts to rehabilitate the area began in the mid1990s under then-Governor Héctor Terán.

The area is now home to the State Center for the Arts, the Autonomous University of Baja California School of Business, the Attorney General’s office headquarters, a police substation and some businesses.

However, Mexicali has not addressed the environmental quality of the river.

We believe the city should join us in finding a solution, not just taking our government’s money for essentially superficial improvements.

In the past, the United States and other bi-national organizations, have funded several projects, including those involving water and wastewater infrastructure.

Over the years, these same treatment plants have outlived their capacity, and they continuously need more funds to be upgraded.

Only a few months ago, the Mexicali Public Utilities Commission plant on the New River was found to be discharging into the river.

Our local authorities responded by asking the state for more funds to resolve the discharge.

For now, we are glad to see these public entities embrace shared responsibility of the rehabilitation of the New River, and we hope the residents in that area will one day live in a healthy environment.

However, after previous years of failed attempts, we aren’t ready to declare victory just yet.

We will expect these entities to fulfill their promises.