Integrating Environmental Solutions for the US-Mexico Border

Since 1997, the U.S.-Mexico Border Water Infrastructure Program, funded by Congress through EPA, has awarded 

grants to water and wastewater systems in the border region through the Project Development Assistance Program 

(PDAP) for project development and design and the Border Environment Infrastructure Fund (BEIF) for

construction, programs administered by BECC and NADB, respectively. Notable program accomplishments include:

 More than $34 million in PDAP technical assistance grants for project 

development in 155+ communities. Approximately 85% of these funds have 

led to projects already implemented or under development.

 $564.6 million in BEIF funds committed to the implementation of 89 drinking 

water and wastewater infrastructure projects valued at $1.7 billion and 

directly benefiting more than 7 million border residents, including

underserved communities in the U.S.

 A leveraging strength of more than $2.00 of other sources to every $1.00 BEIF 

reflects the program’s ability as a catalyst for other stakeholder participation.

 Every project, whether located in the US or Mexico, has provided an 

environmental and human health benefit for the U.S.

 A capacity to eliminate more than 400 million gallons per day of 

untreated or inadequately treated wastewater discharges has been 

achieved, equivalent to the wastewater discharge of nearly 8 million 

persons or 1.86 million households.

 Influenced by the availability of this critical bi-national funding 

program, a significant increase of investment by Mexico has been 

experienced in the border region through programs of the Comisión 

Nacional del Agua (National Water Commission).

On-Going Investment Needs – US Border Region

EPA’s U.S.-Mexico Border Water Infrastructure Program has offered the greatest investment and leveraging tool 

for successful basic service infrastructure development in the border region. Still , additional drinking water and 

wastewater infrastructure needs continue to be identified and far surpass available 

program resources. To ensure that funds are used in the most effective manner 

possible, targeting the most critical needs, the BECC and EPA conduct a bi-yearly 

prioritization process. For the FY 11/12 prioritization process, 200 applications were 

received, worth nearly $800 million in construction investments. 132 of these 

projects propose to provide first-time access to these basic services. Approximately 

$664 million of eligible projects were evaluated and a total of 23 projects, worth an 

estimated $193.7 million in construction costs, have been selected as candidates to 

receive PDAP funding to advance their development. Detailed information on the FY 11/12 Prioritization process, 

including selected projects, can be found on BECC’s website at www.cocef.org

Interested in documenting the role of infrastructure investment as a driver or catalyst for new private 

sector economic activity and job/wealth creation, BECC conducted an Economic Impact Study to 

determine the extent to which water and wastewater infrastructure improvements create/enhance 

economic opportunities in the community. The study was supported by data calculated from the 

Bureau of Economic Analysis (“BEA”) RIMS II model for five US communities. In terms of infrastructure 

and well-being, the study concluded that one million dollars invested in water and wastewater 

infrastructure over 10 years results in: 

 $11.1 million in private sector investment; 221 new jobs created; $1.7 million in tax revenue; 

$52.2 million in goods produced by the private sector.

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Integrating Environmental Solutions for the US-Mexico Border

Established by the U.S. and Mexican governments in 1994, the Border Environment Cooperation Commission

(BECC) and North American Development Bank (NADB) have cooperatively worked to certify and finance 

environmental infrastructure projects with the intent of improving the environmental and human health conditions 

in the border region. As of September 30, 2011, their joint accomplishments have included: 

 185 certified projects (85 U.S./100 Mexico) representing nearly $4.146 billion in environmental infrastructure 

investment, directly benefiting 13.8 million border residents. NADB has provided $1.33 billion in financing for 

152 of those projects.

 114 Water and wastewater projects valued at $2.3 billion providing new or improved services to 12 million 

border residents.

 25 Water conservation projects estimated to save energy and to decrease water losses by approximately 330 

MGD, enough to serve the average demands of some 4 million people. 

 22 Solid Waste projects accommodating approximately 1,550 tons/day of waste previously disposed of in 

open or uncontrolled sites.

 20 Air Quality projects related to paving and mobility will eliminate approximately 200,000 tons per year of 

PM10, caused primarily by vehicular traffic on unpaved roadways. 

 4 Energy projects anticipated to prevent greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to almost 668,000 metric tons 

of CO2–e per year through the use of alternative energy and fuel sources.

BECC continues to work using a strategic approach which focuses on the following activities:

 Strengthening Border Stakeholder Cooperation with increased participation in forums to assist in 

project/program coordination, consistent information exchange, and strategy development.

 Strategic Planning to identify needs within the region to improve the effectiveness of infrastructure 

program investments in the border region.

 Climate Change Planning, Mitigation and Adaptation Initiatives to support the efforts of both countries 

for emission reductions. BECC is working with the six Mexican border states in developing their state 

climate action plans.

 Energy Efficiency and Renewable Source Projects which can be implemented for a broad range of uses 

such as municipal lighting, utility services, as well as residential needs.

 

The U.S.-Mexico border region (100km/62 mile) has a population of 13 million and is a dynamic network of 

cultural, social, environmental and economic relationships between residents of both countries. Border economic 

activity is reflected by the following facts:

 Approximately 90% of the border region population resides in 14 paired trans-border communities.

 Approximately 132,000 pedestrians, 523,000 passenger vehicles, 12,000 commercial trucks, and 2,000 

rail containers are estimated to cross the border on any given day.

 250 million northbound crossings occurred in 2006, for example, which were made up of:

o One-day trips, typically for retail purchases, accounting for >95% of the northbound crossings

o Nearly $50 billion in taxable sales, making retail the 2nd largest employer in US border counties.

 Of the 2,300 maquiladoras residing in Mexican border states, 90% trace their origin to US firms.

 New employment in the US has been established to meet the needs of this industrial sector 

(warehousing, transportation and professional services)

The U.S.-Mexico Border Counties Coalition’s “At the Cross Roads: US/Mexico Border Counties in Transition”, 

compares the U.S. border counties, considered as the 51st State, to the U.S. States and found the following 

statistics:

 The 6.7 million residents would rank 13th in population and 15th in population growth.

 Per capita income for the region, not including San Diego, would rank 51st; however, personal income 

actually grew 41.4% compared to 29.3% for the nation.

 Exposure to unsanitary conditions existing on both sides of the border may influence its ranking as 2nd in 

incidence of tuberculosis and 3rd in deaths due to hepatitis. 

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