New River MexicoUnited States

The New River, originating in Mexicali and flowing into the United States towards the Salton Sea, is renowned as one of North America's most polluted waterways. Its pollution stems from various sources, including untreated sewage from Mexicali's inadequate wastewater treatment plants, industrial waste discharge, and agricultural runoff from both sides of the border. This has resulted in high levels of bacteria, heavy metals (mercury, lead), and toxic chemicals (DDTs, PCBs), severely impacting the environment and local communities.

Efforts to address these issues have included legislative actions like California's SB 387, which aimed to improve river health through infrastructure projects such as trash screens, enclosed channels, wetlands, and green spaces. However, challenges remain due to ongoing pollution sources, including illegal dumping and insufficient industrial regulation. The future of the New River depends on continued binational cooperation and comprehensive solutions addressing both point-source and diffuse pollution. Without significant progress, the river's ecological health and surrounding communities' well-being will remain at risk.