HCM 2002 Summary

• Urges U.S. Congress to pass the Nogales Wastewater Fairness Act to address wastewater treatment costs unfairly borne by Nogales, Arizona.

• Only 8% of sewage treated at the International Outfall Interceptor (IOI) facility originates in Arizona, with the remaining 92% coming from Nogales, Sonora, Mexico.

• Nogales, Arizona is billed a fixed 23% of total operating costs regardless of actual sewage volume, while Mexico's sewage contains industrial contaminants that increase treatment expenses.

• The IOI requires $38-48 million for rehabilitation or replacement due to breaches from contaminated Mexican sewage that has caused public health and environmental damage to Arizona.

• Requests Congress mandate that Nogales, Arizona's costs align with its actual wastewater volume and exempt the city from contributing to repair or upgrade costs of the IOI and treatment plant.