The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently announced "Minute 333," a comprehensive agreement with Mexico designed to resolve the ongoing Tijuana River sewage crisis.
This latest pact differs from previous attempts by placing a greater share of responsibility on Mexico and explicitly incorporating infrastructure planning to accommodate Tijuana’s inevitable population growth, ensuring the solution remains effective as the city expands.
House Passes Bill Limiting Clean Water Act Scope
The U.S. House of Representatives passed the PERMIT Act, a Republican-sponsored bill designed to overhaul the Clean Water Act by narrowing the definition of federally protected waterways. Passing largely on party lines, the legislation aims to redefine "navigable waters" in the Clean Water Act to exclude groundwater, treatment systems and ephemeral streams from federal oversight in an effort to reduce regulatory burdens.
Proponents argue that the current permitting system has been weaponized to delay infrastructure projects, and that these reforms are necessary. Those opposed argue that it dismantles decades of environmental safeguards.
Waterbury, Connecticut, Water Main Break Resolved
A massive water main break in Waterbury, Connecticut, left tens of thousands of residents in the city without reliable service. The infrastructure failure led to a total loss of system pressure, forcing the closure of schools and restaurants while the National Guard helped distribute bottled water. A boil water advisory was issued for the affected areas as crews worked around the clock to repair the damage.
Service was restored to all customers by the morning of Dec. 17, with water pressure slowly returning overnight to prevent additional stress on the infrastructure.
