U.S. Mexico Border Program

Improving Public Health and the Environment in U.S.-Mexico Border Communities The U.S.-Mexico Border Region is a dynamic area where public health and environmental challenges are interconnected, populations intermingle, and water resources are shared by both countries. The EPA U.S.-Mexico Border Water Infrastructure Program works collaboratively to address critical public health and environmental problems at the source by providing often first-time drinking and wastewater services to underserved communities. Since the program's creation in 1997, much has been accomplished along both sides of the border, including reducing public health risks, increasing the environmental health of the area, and generating large economic benefits.

• Public Health Benefits: Nearly 55,000 homes have been connected with safe drinking water and 500,000 with adequate wastewater service which has helped reduce the risk of water-borne diseases.  
• Environmental Benefits: More than 350 million gallons/day of untreated or inadequately treated wastewater discharges have been eliminated.  
• Economic Benefits: Water infrastructure investments generate large economic benefits due to reduced health care costs and gains in productivity. Infrastructure construction stimulates local economies and creates jobs.

Publications:

•  U.S.-Mexico Border Water Infrastructure Program 2011 Annual Report (PDF) (6pp, 593K, About PDF)
• U.S.-Mexico Border Water Infrastructure Successes Mexicali (PDF) (1pg, 84K, About PDF) and Matamoros (PDF) (1pg, 89K, About PDF)

Program Links:

• Program History and Basic Information
• FAQs
• U.S.-Mexico Border 2020 Program Homepage
• Region 6 Grants and Funding
• Region 9 Grants and Funding

Our Partners

• Border Environment Cooperation Commission (BECC) 
• North American Development Bank (NADB) 
• Mexican Water Commission (CONAGUA)