Tijuana River
Watershed
Water Security
Program
Advancing binational water resilience through regulatory innovation, technology assessment, and policy engagement in Baja California.
— 01 – about project
Project
Overview
A binational initiative led by the Institute of the Americas in partnership with Centro Mexicano de Derecho Ambiental.
The Tijuana River Watershed Water Security Program is a binational initiative led by the Institute of the Americas in partnership with Centro Mexicano de Derecho Ambiental. Tijuana, Tecate, and Playas de Rosarito face increasing water stress driven by climate change, rapid growth, industrial demand, and heavy reliance on the Colorado River.
Despite mounting scarcity, most municipal wastewater is not recaptured, and potable water re-use remains restricted under current Mexican regulations. Water resilience is foundational to regional economic stability, ecosystem protection, and long-term climate preparedness in the Cali–Baja region.
This initiative supports informed policy design grounded in international best practices and regional collaboration. San Diego County once faced similar dependency challenges and has since diversified its water portfolio through advanced recycling programs.
By evaluating legal frameworks and technological advances from jurisdictions including California, Chile, Brazil, Peru and other parts of Mexico, this program creates a structured pathway for evidence-based decision-making in Baja California.
Water resilience is foundational to regional economic stability, ecosystem protection, and long-term climate preparedness in the Cali–Baja region. This initiative advances our collective goals by:
— 02 – alignment
Alignment with the
Environment Program
Strengthening climate adaptation strategies
Supporting science-based public policy
Promoting resilient infrastructure solutions
Deepening binational cooperation
Expanding access to credible, policy-relevant information
— 03 – Library
Publications &
Resources
- Environment
- Environment
- Environment
- Environment
President, Centro de Innovación, SAPAL, León
— 04 – INTERVIEW
Interview with
Eng. Rafael Zárate
— 05 – events about
Water
Reuse Solutions
The Binational Water Reuse Forum convened senior environmental officials, regional utility directors, policy analysts, and cross-border stakeholders to chart a comprehensive regulatory and technical roadmap for water reuse in Mexico, with an immediate operational focus on the California–Baja California border region.
IOA was honored to convene a Binational Water Reuse Learning Exchange at Pure Water Oceanside, bringing together senior officials from the municipalities of Tijuana and Tecate, the State of Baja California, and the City of Oceanside to explore innovative solutions for long-term water resilience.
— 06 – Partners
Partners &
Support
Made Possible By
Although the tasks and activities in this website have been funded in whole or in part by the U.S. EPA and North American Development Bank, this report does not necessarily reflect the policies, actions, or positions of the U.S. EPA or NADBank.
— 07 – contact
Have a question or a partnership
in mind?
For media requests or research collaboration, reach out directly to the Environment Program Lead.
