The sewage crisis affecting San Diego's coastal waters has reached a critical point, posing significant environmental, health, and national security risks. This ongoing issue, primarily caused by outdated wastewater infrastructure in Tijuana, Mexico, has been exacerbated by the rapid population growth in the region. As a result, raw sewage has been flowing from Mexico into the U.S., contaminating the waters off the coast of San Diego County. This has had a profound impact on the local environment, public health, and the training of U.S. Navy SEAL candidates. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and its counterparts in Mexico are working towards a permanent solution to this decades-old problem. EPA chief Lee Zeldin announced that the agency has presented Mexico with a "100% solution" proposal aimed at ending the cross-border sewage flow. The proposal marks a significant step forward, but it requires further technical discussions between the two nations to finalize the details and reach an agreement. San Diego is a crucial location for the U.S. Navy SEALs, with the Naval Special Warfare Command headquartered in the city. The contaminated waters have directly affected the SEAL candidates undergoing the rigorous Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S) training at the Naval Amphibious Base Coronado. Between January 2019 and May 2023, there were 1,168 reported cases of acute gastrointestinal illnesses among SEAL candidates due to exposure to the polluted water. This situation has been described as a national security crisis by veterans, including Navy SEAL vet Jeff Gum, who experienced illness from the contaminated water during his training in 2008. Zeldin has been actively engaged in discussions with Mexican officials to address the sewage crisis. He emphasized the need for comprehensive infrastructure updates and effective water management strategies on both sides of the border. In a press conference held in San Diego, Zeldin highlighted the importance of stopping the sewage flow and ensuring that Mexico fulfills its responsibilities in cleaning up the contamination it has caused. He stressed that without addressing the root causes of the problem, any temporary cleanup efforts would be insufficient. Local leaders, such as Imperial Beach's Mayor Paloma Aguirre, have also been vocal about the severity of the crisis. In a letter to Zeldin, Aguirre described the situation as one of America's most severe environmental and public health disasters. Since 2023, over 31 billion gallons of raw sewage, polluted stormwater, and trash have crossed the Mexican border into the U.S., affecting cities like San Diego and Imperial Beach and flowing into the Pacific Ocean. The pollution has led to illnesses among residents and workers, including Navy SEALs, and has negatively impacted local tourism, maritime jobs, and property values. San Diego's tourism industry, a significant contributor to the local economy, has been threatened by the ongoing sewage crisis. The city, which attracted approximately 32 million tourists in 2024, is now facing challenges due to the contaminated waters. Zeldin has vowed to resolve the issue, acknowledging the frustration and impatience of Californians who have been dealing with the crisis for decades. Zeldin's efforts have been met with cautious optimism, as both the U.S. and Mexican governments have expressed a strong desire to find a lasting solution. The cooperation between the two nations is seen as a critical step towards addressing the environmental and health hazards posed by the sewage flow. However, the situation remains urgent, and both sides are under pressure to act swiftly. The sewage crisis along the San Diego coast highlights the broader challenges of cross-border environmental management and the need for effective collaboration between neighboring countries. As technical groups from the U.S. and Mexico work through the details of the proposed solution, there is hope that a comprehensive agreement can be reached to permanently end the crisis and protect the health and safety of residents and military personnel in the region.